Taking Care of Your Veneers

Your smile may be the first thing that people notice about you when they meet you. If your teeth are cracked, stained, misshapen or improperly spaced, your smile may not be at its best. If that is the case, dental veneers may be a wonderful way for you to improve your smile. Dental veneers are thin shells made of porcelain that are placed over the fronts of your teeth. They can conceal damage or imperfections on your teeth, or they can close the gaps in between your teeth.

To place a dental veneer, your dentist will remove some of the enamel from the front of your tooth. Then, they will take an impression of the tooth and send that impression to the dental lab that will craft your veneers. When they are ready, your dentist will place them on your teeth with dental cement, trim any excess material, and polish the veneer to match the rest of your teeth. If you take proper care of your veneers, they can last from 10 to 15 years, but they will not last a lifetime. At some point, they will have to be repaired or replaced. But there are things that you can do to make sure that you get the most out of your veneers.

You will need to brush and floss your teeth with veneers, just as you would your other teeth. If you clench or grind your teeth, you should talk with your dentist about treating the condition, or about using a night guard. Eating hard foods and chewing on ice can damage your veneers; and if you chew on pens, or pencils, or use your teeth to open packages, you run the risk of chipping or breaking your veneers. Your veneers can be stained, and you should limit or avoid foods that will darken them.

If you want to discuss improving your smile with dental veneers, our dentist, Dr. Kevin Lacour will be happy to see you. If you would like to make an appointment at Walton Dental Care in Monroe, Georgia, call 770-267-2301 today.