Do your teeth have stains or chips? Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dental treatment that can fix many cosmetic issues. Dr. Rebecca Benedict in Tampa, FL can use porcelain veneers to cover up any discoloration or damage.
These veneers are very thin shells that go on the front of your teeth to improve their color, shape, and strength. The porcelain material even reflects light like natural teeth for a more realistic appearance. Visit our Tampa, FL dental office to learn more.
What Can Porcelain Veneers Treat?
Porcelain veneers are a lasting cosmetic treatment that can cover the following:
- Slightly crooked teeth
- Small gaps between teeth
- Stained teeth
- Black triangles
- Misshapen teeth
- Chipped teeth
We usually recommend veneers for deep tooth stains. If professional whitening doesn’t work for intrinsic stains, or stains inside the tooth, veneers can make sure discolored teeth match the rest. Porcelain veneers are best because they look more natural with their translucent appearance. This ensures your smile looks more natural compared to other materials.
Treatment with Porcelain Veneers in Tampa, FL
Dr. Benedict can help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted using porcelain veneers. She can customize the color and shape of the veneers to deal with any aesthetic issues or tooth damage you may have. Before starting treatment, Dr. Benedict will meet with you to see if veneers are right for your smile.
To get ready for veneer treatment, we first prepare your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel to ensure the veneers fit properly. This preparation also helps make sure the veneers look and feel natural. Patients should be aware that this preparation is permanent and will alter their teeth.
After preparing the teeth, we will take impressions to create your new smile. We might place temporary veneers until the final ones are ready. When the final veneers are done, we will bond them to your teeth using permanent dental cement.
It may take a couple of weeks to adjust to your new veneers. We recommend sticking to a soft diet for the first day and then gradually reintroducing solid foods after 24 hours. Avoiding hard foods during the first day can help prevent any damage to the veneers. It’s also a good idea to chew using your back teeth that don’t have veneers.
Dental patient before and after getting porcelain veneers for gaps between teeth.
Cleaning and Caring For New Porcelain Veneers
Brushing and flossing are essential for natural teeth, gums, and cosmetic treatments. Veneers are unaffected by problems like dental infections. However, the teeth behind your veneers and surrounding gum tissue are still at risk. A good oral hygiene routine can also prevent buildup on your veneers.
Floss before brushing to remove bacterial buildup and food debris between teeth. When you brush your teeth, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to prevent damaging the veneer. Brush for at least two minutes twice a day.
Please get in touch with our office if you see any signs of teeth clenching or grinding. We can create a custom night guard to protect your new veneers. Continually grinding your teeth will wear down and damage them and the rest of your teeth. We will not recommend veneers for patients who regularly clench or grind their teeth, or have TMJ problems.
Do not use your teeth as tools, and don’t bite down on hard foods or objects with your teeth. These habits can potentially chip or break your veneers.
Porcelain Veneer FAQs
Learn more about porcelain veneers with answers to these popular questions from our patients:
When Should You Replace Veneers?
If your veneers start feeling loose or break, it’s probably time to replace them. Loose veneers aren’t typical and could be a sign of a dental infection. Plus, if your veneers are looking old and stained, it’s a good idea to get them replaced. Remember, only a dentist can take off your old veneers and give you new ones.
What are the benefits of dental veneers?
You’ll enjoy a lot of benefits with cosmetic veneers treatment, including:
- Dental veneers fix dental imperfections – gaps, cracks, chips, fractures, discoloration, and more.
- They are custom-designed for each patient to match the shade of their natural teeth.
- Installing veneers in place is minimally invasive and restores teeth quickly.
- They improve the aesthetic appeal of the smile and instill confidence in patients.
- Veneers are durable and, if taken care of, last a lifetime.
How do I care for my dental veneers?
Directly after treatment, avoid hard and crunchy foods. Avoid foods and beverages that easily stain, including coffee, tea, wine, tomatoes, and berries. When brushing, use a soft-bristled toothbrush. Ensure your toothpaste does not contain abrasive materials like charcoal that can scratch your veneers.
Veneers are strong and durable, like natural teeth. However, they require maintenance to last.
Are dental veneers reversible?
You cannot reverse veneer treatment; we prepare natural teeth before we place the veneers. We cannot reshape teeth after we remove enamel. Because of this, we recommend veneers for patients who want to cover one or more teeth permanently.
While we can remove veneers, we will still need to cover the teeth with new veneers or another treatment. We often recommend cosmetic or restorative treatment for patients with stained or damaged teeth.
How long do dental veneers last?
With the proper care, veneers can last over 15 years. To ensure that your dental veneers last, follow these tips:
- Properly brush and floss between your veneers
- Avoid staining foods and drinks
- Don’t use your teeth as tools
- Avoid tobacco products (cigarettes, vapes)
- Do not chew on ice or other hard objects
Remember to make dental appointments every six months. We will examine your veneers regularly and provide a thorough professional cleaning to keep them bright.
Request an Appointment Today
Contact Dr. Benedict and her team for porcelain veneers in Tampa, FL, today at 813-733-6981. You can also schedule a consultation online with Dr. Benedict. Please let us know if you have any questions about veneer treatments and we will gladly help.