How Do Veneers Work and Can You Get a Perfect Smile?

Whites Dental Waterloo

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Whites Dental Marble Arch (W2)

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How Do Veneers Work


 

Get the perfect smile with Teeth Veneers

What Are Veneers?

Dental veneers are wafer-thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve appearance. They are made from porcelain or composite resin and are permanently bonded to the teeth​. Whether you are only considering veneers on two front teeth or have issues that are visible on a number of teeth it is common to get a row of six veneers, more typically on the top row of teeth.

 

How Long Does It Take to Get Veneers?

The process of getting veneers typically takes about 2-3 appointments over a few weeks. This includes the initial consultation, tooth preparation, and final placement of the veneers.

The Importance of Hygiene

Maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for the longevity of veneers. Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups are necessary to keep the underlying teeth and gums healthy​. As is the case with all dental hygiene, the essential care is to brush and floss, this is to eliminate the build-up of food particles and the resultant bacteria that can form.  With veneers you have to ensure a full and thorough dental check-up to assess the current state of the teeth and gums, any cavities that may exist or signs of weakness must be assessed and the proper fitting and replacement of veneers is also crucial. Having an additional layer on the teeth does make the process of cleaning your teeth more important. Issues such as bad breath with veneers may well be a sign that there is a hygiene issue and that more brushing or a more thorough cleaning routine is required.

Temporary Veneers

In most cases, your final veneer’s will be made in a dental lab. This process takes about 2 to 3 weeks to complete. Therefore, in the meantime you will most likely need to wear temporary veneers.

Because temporary veneers are usually attached to your teeth with temporary cement, they are most likely to become displaced. To avoid this, there are a few food patients should steer clear of until their final veneers are in place. Below, we will explore food that you should avoid and foods you can eat with temporary veneer’s in place.

What foods you cannot eat with temporary veneers?

  • Chewy and hard meats.
  • Crunching on ice.
  • Biting an apple.
  • Sticky, candies and toffees.
  • Chips, crunchy and pretzels.
  • Toast.
  • Bread that is difficult to chew or bite.
  • Popcorn.
  • Stain-causing foods and drinks such as tea, coffee, red wine, cold drinks, curries, berries, soy sauce and tomato sauce.

What foods can you eat with temporary veneers?

We recommend eating soft, non-staining foods while you are wearing temporary veneer’s. Some of these include:

  • Soft chicken that are cut into bite-sized pieces.
  • Mashed potatoes.
  • Pasta
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Soft bread
  • Soft canned foods.
  • Soft fruits like plums and bananas.

Permanent Veneers

Unlike temporary veneers, permanent veneers are made from high-quality porcelain, which is much more resilient to staining. Because ceramic porcelain is extremely strong, veneers are also less vulnerable to breakage. Nonetheless, your final veneer’s can still become damaged by certain foods or lifestyle habits.

What foods to avoid with permanent porcelain veneers:

  • Foods and beverages that are acidic such as lemons, tomato sauce and cool drinks which erode the bonding material.
  • Biting into ice.
  • Biting into hard foods such as hard candies and toffee apples.
  • Consuming alcoholic beverages often as alcohol softens the surface of the bonding material.
  • Taking stain-causing drinks often like tea, coffee and red wine. Porcelain veneer’s are highly stain-resistant while the bonding material and teeth beneath them are not at all.
  • Chewing tobacco or smoking.
  • Using teeth for other functions like holding heavy objects or as a pair of scissors to tear through packages and wrappings.

If you are a daily coffee or tea drinker, it is a good idea to sip these drinks through a straw. This will help decrease the amount of time the liquid comes in contact with the teeth. In addition, we recommend rinsing your mouth out with water after every meal to reduce the risk of staining. Patients who experience sensitivity should also consider avoiding extremely hot and cold food and beverages. Cutting foods into smaller pieces can also help reduce sensitivity.