Porcelain veneers can do wonders for your smile and your self-confidence. However, they are not something to be taken lightly. They are often a costly investment, and you may not be able to go back on your decision once they’re in.
Before going ahead, be sure to ask your dentist, these 4 questions.
Are porcelain veneers right for me?
They generally work well for many people interested in improving the colour and shape of their teeth. They can also eliminate gaps between teeth, and hide a broken tooth.
But, just because they worked for your neighbour or your friend at the office, it doesn’t mean they are the best course of action for you. Everyone is unique and that goes for teeth too.
For example, porcelain veneers require a certain standard of oral health. If you have significant damage then you may need to look at alternative solutions that are more suited to your mouth.
How will veneers be fitted to my teeth?
The porcelain shell will be custom-made to fit your mouth. To make sure the teeth look as natural and aesthetically pleasing as possible, your teeth may need to be prepped. This means a small amount of enamel may be removed from your natural set before the veneers are placed in your mouth.
They will then be fixed over your original teeth using a strong bonding agent.
Follow up questions: How much of my natural tooth will have to be removed?
How do I care for my porcelain veneers?
Although they are very robust, porcelain veneers are not indestructible. You should, of course, continue to maintain a good level of oral hygiene by frequent brushing, flossing and trips to the dentist. As you would for natural teeth.
Your dentist may also advise you to invest in a mouth guard if you do a lot of sports or high-risk activities, to avoid chipping them in the event of a hard knock.
Can they be removed if I change my mind?
In some rare cases, a patient may decide they regret their decision to get veneers and wish to go back to their original teeth. It is vital you don’t go into this thinking that if you don’t like them you can get them removed. Because, most likely, that won’t be the case.
Whether it’s possible to back to a veneer-free existence depends on whether your teeth were prepped before they were put in.
Most teeth require at least a minimal amount of enamel removal prior to getting veneers adhered. If this is the case, then you will need to get the veneers replaced if you are really unhappy with them. Your natural teeth will be very sensitive and look worse than they did before so simply having them removed won’t be an option.
However, if you didn’t have any enamel removed then it may be possible to polish your natural teeth back to their former glory if that’s what you really want.
Most dentists will want to make sure that you’re 100% certain about getting porcelain veneers, as it is generally a lifelong commitment that you can’t go back on, so don’t be afraid to ask questions.
