Tips for How to Care for Porcelain Veneers | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

Porcelain veneers are one of the most common cosmetic dentistry procedures people seek for their smiles. The longevity of your veneers can vary depending on how they are cared for. To get the most out of your veneers, here are some best practices for maintaining them for years to come.

Good Oral Hygiene- Maintaining good oral hygiene such as regular brushing, flossing and incorporating a mouthwash is great for your natural teeth and veneers. Veneers are placed along the gemlike to retain the appearance of being natural, so it’s important to keep your oral hygiene up to avoid a receding gemlike that may expose the veneer.

Avoid Unnecessary Force- Nail biting, chewing ice and forceful brushing can break or dislodge a veneer; they can also be the reason your dentist recommended veneers to begin with. It’s important to make an effort to avoid these habits for the longevity of your veneers.

Stop Clenching and Grinding- This bad habit is a great way to chip or break your veneers over time. Bruxism, or the grinding of teeth at night, can be avoided by incorporating a night guard when you sleep. Reducing stress or finding alternative means to clenching your teeth will also go a long way in maintaining your new pearly whites.

Limit Staining- Porcelain is a material that resists stains, but the dental cement used to keep them in place unfortunately is not. Coffee, tobacco, wine and any other food and beverage that may stain your teeth will stain the cement over time. Eventually, if not properly cared for along the way, the cement will become discolored and look odd against your veneers – or even start to make your veneers look discolored by association.

If you would like more information on veneers or how to care for them, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.

Fixing Your Smile with Dental Veneers | Rancho Santa Margarita Dentist

One of the most common techniques your dentists can use to correct the appearance of teeth is veneers. Veneers are thin, custom-made shells that are placed on top of existing teeth, fixing discolorations, gaps, chips, and broken teeth. While veneers and bonding are cosmetic procedures used to treat similar problems, veneers may be a better alternative in cases where the patient wants to adjust the size or shape of the tooth. Many Hollywood celebrities have improved the look of their smiles with a new set of veneers. Not everyone has perfect teeth.

A normal procedure typically requires multiple visits – on the first visit, the dentist will inspect the tooth (or teeth) to make sure the patient is a good candidate and verify that veneers will properly fix the problem at hand, then remove a thin layer of tooth enamel, so that the veneer surface rests even with the rest of the teeth. Once the enamel is removed, the dentist will make a detailed impression of the tooth and send the impression off to a laboratory for a custom veneer designed to fit the tooth precisely.

Once the veneer is created, the patient will return for a second visit. The dentist will continue shaping the veneer, then bond it to the tooth’s surface with permanent cement. Finally, the dentist will remove excess cement and ensure that the patient’s bite is correct. In many cases, the patient will be asked to return in a few weeks to evaluate the patient’s gums. Modern porcelain veneers tend to last many years, are easy to care for, provide a very natural appearance, and offer a stronger alternative to other cosmetic options.

If you would like more information on veneers, call Dr. Herd in Rancho Santa Margarita, CA at 949-858-5147 or visit www.gregherddds.com.

Dr. Greg J. Herd proudly serves Rancho Santa Margarita and all surrounding areas.