Are you considering porcelain veneers? Congratulations! Veneers are a premier treatment to bring amazing symmetry and beauty to the smile. It is a terrific investment in your appearance and self-esteem.Dr. Clint Bruyere offers these tips to protect that investment by keeping teeth healthy and veneers looking great.
A bit about veneers
A veneer is a thin covering adhered to the front surface of a visible tooth. Veneers are used to redesign the smile, disguising a variety of imperfections such as:
- Minor misalignment
- Spaces between teeth
- Stubborn discoloration
- Chips and cracks in enamel
- Natural pits or bumps
- Teeth that look too long or short, or are worn down
Dr. Bruyere works closely with a professional dental laboratory to fabricate veneers of fine-quality dental ceramics. This porcelain is strong and durable, and reflects light like enamel. A single tooth may be treated, or the whole “smile set.”
Living with veneers
Well-crafted veneers feel normal, so you may forget about them. However, a few precautions are in order:
- Brush after meals, using a soft toothbrush and nonabrasive paste to avoid scratching the porcelain.
- Floss nightly, but gently. Veneers cannot develop decay, but the teeth underneath can.
- Porcelain resists stains, but the cement that holds veneers in place can discolor. Consider limiting coffee, tea, cola, and red wine.
- Avoid biting directly into very hard foods – pretzels, apples, carrot, or hard candy. It can dislodge or damage veneers.
- Smoking contributes to gum disease, affecting the margin where veneers meet soft tissue. Please consider quitting for your oral health and overall wellness.
- If you clench or grind during sleep, Dr. Bruyere may recommend a night guard to protect veneers, or suggest an alternative treatment.
Your smile is one of the first features others notice about you. Make it memorable with healthy teeth, and veneers that look stunningly natural. Call (903) 708-6116.
