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Your cosmetic dentist can use porcelain veneers to correct any number of aesthetic flaws in your smile. The treatment is fairly simple, straightforward and quick, and it is associated with numerous benefits. Porcelain Veneer Treatment Porcelain veneers are tooth-shaped shells that are bonded atop the biological teeth using a strong dental cement. The treatment process begins with an evaluation by a cosmetic dentist, who will inspect your teeth, take photos and x-rays and discuss your treatment goals with you. Depending on the thickness of the veneer, the dentist may also prep your teeth for veneer placement by removing a thin layer of enamel to make room for the veneer. All of the data used in the design of your veneers is forwarded to the dental lab, where they will be created. When they are ready, which generally takes just a couple of weeks, you’ll return to the office to have them placed. Benefits Of Porcelain Veneers Here are some of the primary benefits of porcelain veneers. They’re versatile. Whether you visit a cosmetic dentist to address teeth that are chipped, stained or cracked, or those that are undersized or slightly crooked, porcelain veneers can help you to achieve your smile goals. They’re durable. People may think that porcelain is a fragile material, but after it is bonded to the teeth, it becomes quite strong. If you take good care of your veneers, they can last for up to a decade. They have a lifelike appearance. Porcelain is a particularly suitable material for veneers because it mimics many of the optical qualities of biological tooth enamel. It’s nearly impossible to tell a veneer from the natural tooth next to it. They’re customized to match your smile. Veneers are designed to match your unique smile. The shape and the shade of the veneers can be tailored to blend in with your biological teeth. Treatment is completed in a matter of weeks. This is particularly valuable in the case of “straightening” teeth. Veneers can create the appearance of proper alignment in a matter of weeks, rather than the months that orthodontic treatment would take. To learn more about the many benefits of porcelain veneers, call our office to schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.
Bad habits can harm your teeth, so it’s important to steer clear of actions that can cause damage and institute more positive habits to keep your smile healthy. You should be discussing healthy dental habits at your semiannual checkups at your family dentistry practice. Factors That Can Damage Your Smile Oral bacteria can damage your smile by attacking your enamel and causing cavities as well as causing inflammation in your gum tissue, leading to periodontal disease. Those bacteria feed on sugars that stay in the mouth after a person eats, so excessive consumption of sugar or even simple carbs can give bacteria an important source of nutrition and increase your risk of oral diseases. If you don’t get your teeth professionally cleaned at a family dentistry practice at least twice a year, your smile could suffer. Additionally, facial trauma can harm your teeth, as can biting into hard objects. Bad Habits To Avoid Using your teeth as tools: Your teeth were designed to chew food, not to crack nuts or open bottles or packages. So don’t try to use them for those purposes. Chewing on hard or non-food items: If you bite into a hard object, like a pencil or even a fingernail, at minimum, you’ll cause premature wear and tear on your teeth. You could even break a tooth. Food is the only thing you should be chewing on. Skipping out on your home oral hygiene routine: Don’t have time to brush your teeth every day? Well, you can count on plaque accumulating along your gumline. You should be brushing twice each day for two minutes each time and flossing once a day. Avoiding the dentist: Your family dentistry practice is an important line of defense against oral diseases. If you don’t get exams and cleanings twice a year, your risk of cavities, gum disease and other concerns increases significantly. Even if you are diligent about brushing your teeth every day, you still need to see your dentist periodically to be examined and to have a dental hygienist remove any lingering plaque and tartar that have accumulated on your smile. Talk to our dental team to see if there are any bad dental habits that you need to break or good ones that you should work into your routine. If it’s time to schedule your next dental exam and cleaning, contact the office of Dr. Barry Buchanan today.