Dental patients with broken, misaligned, or discolored teeth can find a permanent cosmetic solution in porcelain veneers. Veneers are cap-like shells made of ceramic that bond to the surface of your teeth for aesthetic enhancement. If you are looking to improve your smile, you should schedule a consultation with your dentist to discuss your cosmetic plan. Once you get veneers, you must maintain them properly so they can last as long as possible. Orchard Hill Dental, a practice in Hendersonville, NC, offers advice for patients taking care of their porcelain veneers.
Pay attention to your bite
Porcelain veneers are made in a dental laboratory with special attention paid to color, size, and shape. Your veneers are customized to match your ideal smile and will fit accordingly into your mouth. When your dentist bonds the veneers to your teeth, they will make final adjustments to ensure the placement is perfect.
It may take some time to get used to the feeling of veneers in your mouth. However, if you notice that your bite does not seem to close all the way or seems misaligned, you should contact your dentist right away. Veneers are permanently bonded to your teeth and can only be removed by a dentist. If any adjustments are necessary, your dental professional can take care of the issue.
Avoid biting hard items
Porcelain veneers are made of durable ceramic so that you can retain or restore your normal eating and speaking abilities. Veneers are stain-resistant as well, meaning you do not have to worry about discoloring the fixtures by consuming agents that can potentially stain natural teeth. The durability gives you security in your smile, but veneers can be subject to damage in extreme cases.
If placed under pressure by chewing a hard item, such as fingernails, ice, or the end of a pen, veneers can chip or break. To avoid costly repairs, you should avoid bad oral habits. Behaviors such as grinding or clenching your teeth could also damage veneers. Your dentist may recommend wearing a mouthguard at night to protect your veneers.
Keep good oral hygiene
Veneers must be kept clean, just like natural teeth. This means proper oral hygiene habits should be maintained. Your dentist will recommend brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily. Ideally, you should floss at night so that you can remove any plaque or tartar that develops during the day.
Porcelain veneers are not subject to decay, but your surrounding teeth can still be damaged. These teeth must be kept healthy to support your veneers. Regular dental visits and cleanings twice a year are also recommended to ensure healthy teeth and gums. Properly maintained veneers can last longer than a decade.
Porcelain veneers and more in Hendersonville, NC
Orchard Hill Dental provides porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dentistry treatments for patients in Hendersonville, NC. We also offer general and restorative dentistry. To schedule an appointment with us, contact our office online or reach us by phone at 828.247.7001.