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January 4, 2023There’s nothing wrong with wanting to change how your teeth look. In fact, our Cadillac, MI, cosmetic dentists are here to provide the support and resources you need should you decide to pursue a transformative procedure like porcelain veneers. Prior to reaching that decision, however, it’s important to consider a few key details.
Here are 4 pieces of information regarding veneers that you should be aware of before undergoing the procedure in our Cadillac dental office.
What Are Veneers?
You can think of veneers like wearing a mask but instead of anything going over your face, they are placed over the fronts of your teeth. These shell-like coverings are also made of tooth-colored porcelain to enhance your smile in a natural-looking way.
Generally speaking, veneers are perfect for patients who feel self-conscious about gaps between their teeth, cracks, chips, or severe tooth discoloration. Depending on your concerns, our cosmetic dentists can speak with you about veneers and determine whether they’re right for your smile.
Before Pursuing Veneers, Remember That They:
1) Are Permanent
While there are products out there that allow you to pop on a temporary smile, the veneers offered by our cosmetic dentists are not that. The service we provide is permanent, irreversible, and requires that some of your natural enamel be removed.
Because of this, you should think well and hard about whether getting veneers is what you truly want. If you would still like certain issues like chipped or corrected but aren’t ready to commit to veneers, our cosmetic dentists may recommend dental bonding instead.
2) Fight Stains Well (With Care)
Tooth stains in life are inevitable when you consider the types of foods and beverages many of us enjoy every day. Coffee, red wine, tea, and more all contribute to the discoloration annoyingly left behind on teeth year after year.
Fortunately, when you choose the , you are choosing a stain-resistant smile. This is thanks to the non-porous material used to make the veneers themselves. In other words, porcelain doesn’t absorb liquids or substances like your natural teeth do.
Of course, good oral hygiene habits like brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing daily are still recommended. Our dentists suggest that if you consume dark-colored foods or drinks, you clean your teeth afterwards. Also, be careful to not bite directly into hard foods like apples or carrots as these can damage your veneers.
3) Require Responsibility
Just because you have veneers, does not mean your teeth are invincible. The porcelain can become damaged if you’re not careful which may prove to be costly. A great way to avoid any unwanted repairs is to practice care when eating, drinking, or playing sports.
For example, if you’d like to enjoy a fresh apple, try cutting it up first and chewing with your back teeth. The same goes for tough meat or hard treats like peanut brittle. After all, you made an investment when you decided to pursue veneers so it’s in your best interest to keep them in good shape.
4) Can Last Up to 15 Years
As long as you regularly brush, floss, and receive a teeth cleaning every 6 months, your veneers are golden. It’s when you neglect these duties that they (and your natural teeth underneath) suffer. In need of care tips? Our dentists can help give you pointers on the general do’s and don’ts of owning veneers as well as answers any questions you might have.
Upgrade Your Smile Today
If you’re interested in porcelain veneers, our cosmetic dentists in Cadillac, MI, can help you get started with the next steps. Simply call LifeSmiles Dentistry at (231) 775-8281 to request an appointment.
