If you’ve been considering getting veneers, you may be wondering what they’ll feel like on your teeth. After all, they are a foreign object and do need to be cemented in place. So, what can you expect? Here’s what you’ll likely notice when you get veneers!
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin porcelain shells that fit over your existing teeth to make them appear whiter and even make minor changes to their shape and size. They have also been called “instant orthodontics” because they can be used to correct some small changes to the appearance of the alignment of your smile, such as closing gaps between teeth or making your teeth look flusher.
Veneers are customized to your mouth, meaning you can treat as little as or as many teeth as you’d like. You can choose the color, size and shape, too. Best of all, your veneers are durable and long-lasting. Most won’t need to be replaced for up to 20 years, and with proper care and maintenance, they should remain looking as good as day one for the entire time you have them!
How Are Veneers Applied?
To get veneers, your dentist will need to remove a very small amount of enamel from each tooth. This should not hurt, but you will be numbed for the procedure. Once your teeth are properly prepped, your dentist will then take impressions for the lab to use when making the veneers. This takes about two weeks. During that time, you will need to wear temporary veneers to keep your teeth safe now that they are missing enamel. You may feel some sensitivity when eating or drinking until your new veneers are ready.
Once they arrive, you will return to your dentist’s office to have them cemented in place. This is not at all painful and should not require any kind of numbing. Once the cement is dry (in a few minutes) you will be free to go and show off your beautiful new smile!
Life With Veneers
After your new veneers are placed, any sensitivity from the temporary shells should go away. Because they are made of durable porcelain, they will look and feel just like your real teeth. In fact, you may eventually forget you have them!
Caring for veneers is simple, too. Just like your natural teeth, your treated ones need to be flossed and brushed daily. Because they’re made of porcelain, you should switch to a gel or non-abrasive toothpaste. It is important to note that whitening toothpaste doesn’t work on porcelain, so if your veneers become stained you will need to replace them. Thankfully, this is very rare if you are brushing and flossing regularly.
Despite their stain resistance, it is also recommended that you quit smoking with veneers, as this can discolor them over time. Finally, don’t use them to open packages, chew pen caps, bite your nails, crunch ice cubes, or eat anything too hard, or they could come off or break. Though they are almost as durable as your real teeth, they will need to be replaced if they break due to your reduced enamel.
Remember, veneers should feel no different than your natural, untreated teeth. With proper care and use, these durable, long-lasting, and natural looking prosthetics can improve the appearance of your smile and protect it from stains and discoloration for up to 20 years!
About Our Practice
At Zahner Dental, our family is proud to have been caring for EllingtonD families for over four decades. Starting with our founder, the late Dr. Warren Zahner, and now run by his sons Dr. Jonathan Zahner and Dr. Shawn Zahner, we are happy to offer a variety of oral health treatments under one convenient roof.
If you’re interested in learning more about veneers or any other treatment, schedule a consultation with our caring family practice by visiting our website or calling us today at 860-870-9031.