Category: Dental Veneers

Porcelain veneers are a great investment in your smile and your self-esteem to correct any cosmetic issues you might have with your teeth. Veneers can be expensive, so protecting your investment is essential. Luckily, keeping your veneers looking great isn’t that difficult.
Here are six steps you can take to maintain your veneers easily:

1. Beverages like coffee, tea, red wine and even some fruit beverages can stain your teeth – and your veneers too. If you enjoy any beverage that’s dark in pigment, you can prevent staining by drinking through a straw. If a straw isn’t your style, you can still decrease stains by rinsing your mouth after drinking a beverage that could stain your veneers.

2. Never use your teeth as tools. Most of us have probably seen – or at least heard of – a person pry off a bottle cap using their teeth, or maybe use their teeth and jaw to unscrew a cap. Doing so puts a lot of strain and stress on your teeth and any cosmetic or restorative work you’ve had done, including veneers. And that means your veneers are more likely to become cracked, chipped or broken (along with your underlying tooth).

3. Wear protective mouth guards if you play any sports. This is good advice to protect all of your teeth, not just your veneers. Today’s mouth guards are lighter and less bulky than older models; the key is to have a guard that’s custom-fit for your mouth to ensure your teeth are adequately protected.

4. Don’t smoke. Not only is smoking bad for your gums, increasing your risk of developing gum disease (and eventual tooth loss), but it can also cause areas of the veneers to become discolored over time. Kick the habit and your overall health as well.

5. Practice good oral hygiene. Your veneer is made of porcelain, which means it can never decay. But the tooth supporting your veneer can still develop a cavity or an infection in the surrounding gums. Brushing and flossing regularly – and using the right technique – is essential for making sure the tooth underneath your veneer stays healthy.

6. See the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. Professional teeth cleanings get into areas that are difficult to reach with brushing and flossing alone, plus the materials they use gently remove any plaque build-up to help your veneers look their absolute best. Routine checkups ensure your teeth and gums are healthy as well.

East River Dental has over 30 years as a dental services provider. We offer advanced cosmetic and restorative treatment options like porcelain veneers and dental implants that will give you a smile you’ll be proud to show off. If you’ve been thinking about improving your smile, call East River Dental at 905-895-8031 to schedule a consultation with one of our dental professionals today.

It’s natural for people with a healthy smile to want to show it off. Unfortunately, not everyone has been blessed with a perfect, all-natural smile. But there are a lot of options to fix dental issues, such as chipped, discoloured or crooked teeth, and one of the most popular choice is porcelain or composite resin veneers.

Here’s what they are and what they can do for you if you’re looking for a way to make your smile sparkle.

What are dental veneers?

Veneers are wafer-thin customized shells designed to cover the front surfaces of your existing teeth for a smile makeover. These shells are tooth-colored and can change the size, shape, and length of your teeth. Compared to cosmetic bonding, dental veneers can last longer and provide a superior appearance.

Porcelain veneers are designed from ceramic layers, which are better at resisting discoloration and stains and have a more natural-looking appearance. During the procedure, your dentist will create space for the veneers by removing a thin layer of your existing tooth enamel. A mold of your teeth will be made to customize a set of veneers fitted for your mouth. Before your veneers are ready, temporary ones can be placed to replace the detached tooth portion.

During your next visit, the cosmetic dentist will remove the temporary set and place a mild substance on the teeth to roughen the surface, ensuring the veneer attaches to the existing tooth properly. Using a special bonding agent, the dentist attaches the permanent veneers one at a time.

Unlike porcelain, composite resin veneers can be placed in a single visit to the cosmetic dentist. The procedure is similar to the porcelain veneer option, in that the dentist will roughen the surface of your natural teeth to ensure the composite veneers affixes properly. Using a bright light, the bonding agent is solidified and then the dentist polishes the veneer to provide the patient with a natural looking smile.

Who do People Choose Dental Veneers?

Most people get dental veneers:

• To fix chipped, cracked, or decayed teeth
• To whiten stained teeth
• To correct irregular, gaps, misshapen, or uneven teeth’
• To strengthen and protect teeth, particularly when you have had several root canal treatments
• As an alternative to braces when correcting misaligned teeth
• To correct worn down teeth (from excessive grinding)

Benefits of dental veneers

The benefits of dental veneers include:

• They can match tooth color perfectly
• All dental cosmetic procedures should be unnoticeable. The veneers are designed carefully to match the natural color of your teeth.
• The provide a customized fit
• Recovery time is short
• They last a long time, and in some cases your dentist can repair them just like a normal tooth
• They’re easy to take care of. Treat them like natural teeth with regular brushing and flossing

How Do I Choose a Dentist for Dental Veneers?

When performed by a qualified cosmetic dentist, your dental veneers will not only last longer but also achieve a natural look. You should be highly selective when choosing a veneer specialist to ensure the procedure produces the results you want to see.

You’ll want to consider the following factors:

Experience With Veneer Procedures

Ask your dentist how many veneers they’ve fixed — the more, the better. Many dentists have galleries of the past cosmetic work, which you should take a closer look at. Veneers are all about detail and appearance, and before-and-after pictures will show you exactly what you can expect from your procedure.

What’s Their Approach to Cosmetic Dentistry

Dental veneers treatment is more likely to be successful when the practitioner takes an artistic approach to the dentistry. The dental technology used can also impact the procedure. For example, intraoral cameras and digital x-rays can give more accurate molding images than traditional or manual techniques.

How do They Interact With Patients

The cosmetic dentist should have good chairside manners. Veneers are completely personalized restoration that will have a significant impact on your smile and appearance. It’s vital that you choose a practitioner that you’re comfortable with and who welcomes your input to make you an active participant in the procedure.

The Ceramist

Ultimately, the veneer result depends on top-quality fabrication. Thus, you should ask the dentist about the dental lab or ceramist they work with. Choose a dentist who works with top-rated craftspeople.

Porcelain veneers, crowns or bridges are the perfect way to protect teeth that are broken down. At East River Dental, you can expect the entire veneer process to take between 2 to 4 weeks, from initial consultation to veneer application. We’re proud to use the most advanced technology, provide flexibility for convenient bookings, and a welcoming and friendly staff committed to ensuring you’re as comfortable as possible during your procedure.

You deserve to smile with confidence. Call us at 905 895 8031 to learn more about East River Dental’s cosmetic dentistry procedures.