Taking care of your teeth involves some uncertainty. How do you know which treatments are best for your dental health? More importantly, are these treatments right for your teeth in the long haul? Veneers, for example, do help your dental health, but you might still wonder about the teeth underneath them.
The Benefits of Veneers
Veneers serve many dental purposes, mainly to cover a chipped tooth or to brighten your smile when whitening or bleaching is not an option. They go over the front side of teeth as a thin cover made from a resin composite and even porcelain, depending on their intended purpose.
Veneers are strong and long-lasting and are even built to resist staining. Porcelain veneers especially look like natural teeth, so they work great for fixing chipped teeth.
If you’re worried about dentist time and care, veneers require minimal time in the dentist’s chair (one visit, usually), and they don’t wear down quickly.
How are Veneers Fitted?
Veneers fit teeth differently depending on their material. They might snap on when custom-made, or they might spread on, like glue. Porcelain veneers, for instance, are customized for your teeth and then bonded to the tooth. The dentist removes a small bit of enamel from the treated tooth beforehand, so the veneer looks like a natural tooth.
Resin-composite veneers, on the other hand, don’t require unique molding or material. They also don’t need for as much tooth enamel to be removed for a more natural look. Your dentist sculpts the composite material onto your tooth before using a special light to bond the composite to the tooth.
Do Veneers Ruin Your Teeth?
Veneers do help your dental health, but they can make it harder to care for your teeth. For instance, cavities can still form in and around veneers, so you need to take extra care in those areas by brushing and flossing daily. You should discuss all possible veneer choices with your dentist to figure out which will be safest for your teeth and the easiest to care for.
If you grind or clench your teeth, veneers might not be a good option because they may chip or break under too much pressure. Veneers are easy to fix in the dentist’s office, but you should consider a more substantial option if you grind your teeth.
The most significant risk with veneers is that they require tooth enamel removal before they are put on. Tooth enamel cannot be replaced once it’s taken off. Your dentist will remove as little enamel as possible, but it is still crucial for protecting the integrity of your teeth.
Do veneers ruin your teeth? Veneers don’t so much ruin your teeth as much as they leave them vulnerable to cavities, especially if you don’t care for your teeth. If you’re going to get veneers, be ready to take extra care of your teeth. Try not to grind or clench them, and let your dentist know right away if your veneers get damaged.