Dental veneers are a great way to deal with minor damage to your smile. If you have a chip in your tooth, your tooth is discolored, or is unevenly spaced, veneers may be the answer to your problem. Veneers are thin shells, usually made of porcelain that are crafted and colored to fit over your damaged teeth and blend in with the rest of your smile. They can cover chipped and stained teeth, and close the gaps between them
Veneers will not last a lifetime. If you take proper care of your veneers, they should last between 10 and 15 years before they need to be replaced. It is up to you to make sure that they last as long as possible. Veneers can be chipped by hard or tough foods, chewing on ice or pens, or grinding and clenching your teeth, a condition known as bruxism. You will need to be careful about what you eat or put in our mouth, and if your dentist discovers that you have bruxism, you will need to take steps to curb the problem, which may include wearing a mouthguard when you sleep.
Your veneers can be stained by dark colored foods and drinks and if that happens, your dentist will need to polish them, since whitening products will not restore their color. Veneers protect the fronts of your teeth, but they do not protect the backs, so you will need to brush twice a day, floss once a day, and see your dentist for your regular cleanings and exams.
If your front teeth could stand a little improvement, and you are interested in finding our more about dental veneers, our dentist, Dr. Lee J. Cowles, DMD will be happy to see you! If you would like to make an appointment at Cowles Dental Care in Portland, Oregon, call 503-255-1506 for an appointment. Let’s get started on giving you the smile of your dreams.
