If you’re looking to enhance the appeal of your smile, dental veneers are the perfect cosmetic dentistry option to go for. However, as with any treatment, you need to ask the right questions in order to have a full understanding of what the procedure entails and to achieve the desired results. Asking these questions also helps you determine if the treatment is right for you. Below are some of the important questions you need to ask your dentist before getting dental veneers.
Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Veneers?
Before you get excited about getting dental veneers, it is important that you schedule a consultation with a reliable dental practice like Sherwood Park Dental Practice so a dentist can check your oral health and determine if you’re a good candidate for the treatment. Your dentist may not recommend dental veneers if you; have fractured teeth, large dental fillings, inadequate tooth enamel, and bruxism (grinding of your teeth).
Once your dentist determines that you are a suitable candidate for veneers, you can then proceed to make plans for the procedure; if not, they can recommend other cosmetic solutions.
What is Your Experience With Veneers?
The type of results you achieve with dental veneers weighs heavily on the experience of your dentist. A dentist who has had years of experience placing dental veneers will have a better understanding of the mouth structure and will be able to handle any specific issues that may occur during the course of your treatment. If you’re in Australia, Going to a dentist in the Gold Coast with proper experience is the surefire way to ensure that your treatment is effective and that the veneers will offer a lasting appeal after they are placed.
What are Your Goals From the Procedure?
When you are discussing the possibility of having dental veneers placed with your dentist, ask them what they are expecting in terms of results. By assessing their projected results, you can determine if you are on the same page with them in terms of expectations.
How are the Dental Veneers Applied?
Typically, there are three treatment phases involved when getting dental veneers. The first phase is X-ray and examinations, where your dentist will carry out a complete and comprehensive examination of your teeth. This is to ensure that there is a supporting structure in place for successful veneer placement. After the exam, X-rays are taken to ensure that you do not have any bone health issues that may impact the success of your treatment.
The second phase of the treatment is preparation. Your dentist will prepare your tooth for the placement of the veneer by shaving off some tooth enamel to compensate for the changes in thickness. Impressions of your tooth will also be taken and sent to the lab for your veneers to be crafted.
Attachment is the final phase of the treatment. This is done once your veneers are crafted and ready (the right colour and fit). Your dentist will carefully attach the veneers to your teeth and using a special light; they activate the cement and the veneer securely bonds to your teeth.
Do I Require any Pre-treatment Before Having Veneers Placed?
Most dentists will require you to resolve any oral health issues like gum disease or cavities many weeks before the veneer treatment. This is to improve your oral health and ensure that the placement of your veneers is successful. Ask your dentist if they have any recommendations in terms of pre-treatment oral care.
How do I Know my Veneers Will Look Natural?
Your dentist can take some steps to ensure you achieve the desired results with veneers. Some of these steps include; discussing your goals to determine the best approach to take when crafting your veneers, taking your tooth shape and colour into consideration (some colour matching is done to ensure your veneers blend in with your natural teeth) and some photo editing to experiment with different shades until you find what you want. Your dentist may even fit you with some temporary veneers so you can give your new smile a trial run before committing.
What can I Expect in Terms of Recovery?
Typically, you should be able to resume your regular routine within 24 hours of having veneers placed. Your dentist will also go over the recovery process with you and give you some to ensure that things go smoothly. Crunchy foods should be avoided the first few weeks after treatment and you may be required to drink through a straw for a few days to minimize tooth sensitivity.
Are Veneers High Maintenance?
Contrary to popular opinion, veneers are not actually difficult to maintain. Once they are applied, you can care for them as you would your own teeth.
How Long Will They Last?
Veneers can last for up to 10 years before they require replacement. Caring for your veneers properly can make them last even longer.
Do you Have Before and After Pictures of Patients With Veneers?
Apart from showing you the quality of your dentist’ work, seeing before and after pictures of patients with veneers can provide you with a glimpse of how veneers can change a person’s smile.
Do I Need Follow-up Visits?
Most dentists will require you to do a follow-up visit some weeks after your veneers placement. This is to ensure that the treatment was successful. It is also an opportunity for you to voice any concerns that you might have.
Conclusion:
Veneers are a great choice for improving the appeal of your smile. However, before your treatment, it is important that you ask your dentist the right questions to help you better prepare for when treatment starts.
