How to Care for Veneers, After a Cosmetic Dentist Treatment
Dental veneers are a cosmetic dental treatment that corrects issues with your smiles, such as crowding, gaps in your teeth, or a mild misalignment, and improves your oral appearance. Establishing an excellent routine to take care of the dental veneers after treatment can make them last longer and maintain their aesthetic appeal.
What Is the Process of Getting Veneers?
Getting dental veneers requires three dental appointments, one for a consultation with a dentist at our cosmetic dentistry in Manteca, CA. The other two are to make and apply the dental veneers. One of many teeth may undergo the veneering process at the same time. The steps involved in your dental implant procedure include:
- Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
During the first appointment, you will discuss the kind of result you want to achieve with your veneers. Your dentist at Valley View Dental – Manteca will also examine your teeth to ensure that the dental veneers are the right choice. They will also discuss the procedure and also its limits. The dentist may also take some x-rays to guide them in making impressions of your mouth and teeth.
- Preparation
Your dentist will reshape your tooth to prepare it for the dental veneer. This is an amount of thickness equal to that of a veneer that will be added to your tooth. The dentist will ask you if it is okay to numb the area before starting to tri off the enamel.
Next, your dentist will make an impression on your tooth. This is then sent to the laboratory for the dental veneers to be made. It usually takes four weeks for the dental veneers to return from the laboratory. Finally, your dentist will place temporary veneers to protect the area from the accumulation of food particles or bacteria as you wait.
- Bonding
Once the dental veneers are ready, you will return for your second appointment. This is where your dentist examines if the veneer fits and matches the color of your teeth. Then, they will repeatedly remove and trim the veneer to achieve the right fit before permanently placing it on your tooth.
Next, your dentist in Manteca, CA, will prepare your teeth before placing the veneer. This is done by cleaning, polishing, and etching your tooth. First, etching roughens your tooth to allow a strong bonding process. Next, the dentist will apply a special cement to the veneer and place it on the tooth. Once it is properly positioned, the dentist shines a special beam over it to activate chemicals in the cement, which quickens the hardening process.
Finally, your dentist will remove excess cement, check if your bite is okay, and make necessary adjustments. Your dentist will recommend that you come for a follow-up visit at least once a week to check the gums and the dental veneers.
How to Care for Your New Veneers?
Your dentist at our cosmetic dentistry near you may advise you to care for your dental implants in the following ways:
- Practice Good Oral Hygiene Daily
You do not have to change how you care for your veneers if you already have an excellent dental hygiene routine. You need to:
- Brush. Use non-abrasive toothpaste and a toothbrush to brush your teeth twice a day.
- Floss. Floss your teeth at least once a day to remove food particles caught between your teeth and gums to protect your teeth, veneers, and gums.
- Rinse. Swish your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash at least once a day. Use an alcohol-free mouthwash as exposure to alcohol can soften the bonding agent which holds your veneers together.
- Chew Wisely
Dental veneers are very durable, but they can break or chip easily. While normal foods should not be a problem, it is advisable to avoid chewing excessively on hard materials like nails, ice, and bones. In addition, you should try avoiding hard and sticky foods.
- Avoid Grinding your teeth
Bruxism tends to clench or grind your teeth while sleeping, and it’s bad news for your dental veneers as it puts stress on them. Unfortunately, this is also bad for your jaws and teeth. So if you think you have bruxism, it is advisable to speak with your dentist as soon as possible.
Your dentist will fit you with a nighttime mouth guard, which helps protect your teeth and new veneers.