The installation of porcelain veneers as one of the perfect and ideal dental solutions for achieving the smile people have always been aiming for is getting more recognized because of how effective of a cosmetic procedure it is. Particularly in covering teeth imperfections such as chips, cracks, or stains. In fact, porcelain veneers are dental covers that mimic the appearance and feel of natural teeth. They are thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the front surfaces of teeth to improve their appearance. Dentists create unique low-prep veneers to improve the color, shape, length, and size of the patients’ teeth. They are tough and can endure a long time, especially if properly cared for.
Porcelain Veneers Installation Process
In terms of the process of the installation of porcelain veneers, the dentist will first determine whether you are a good candidate for veneers. It will be done by assessing the state of your teeth and, if necessary, taking dental X-rays. After that, he will prepare your tooth by removing a small portion of the enamel. He will next take an impression of your tooth, which will be sent to a dental laboratory for the porcelain veneers to be made. Your dentist will apply a temporary veneer to the tooth in this case. He will then contact you for the porcelain veneer fitting once it is ready. Your porcelain veneer will be adjusted to ensure that it fits you precisely. The veneer will be firmly affixed to the tooth using dental cement once it has been cleaned, etched, and polished.
Once you have your porcelain veneers installed, they can be able to transform your teeth in just a matter of a few weeks. They give the appearance and feel of a new smile to those with gapped, damaged, or discolored teeth; an ultra-thin composite resin with a 20-year lifespan.
Porcelain veneers are highly durable. Thus, you can eat and drink whatever you want without worrying about your veneers cracking, fading, or becoming damaged in any way. There are, however, a couple of food interactions to be mindful of, which will be discussed further into this article. Moreover, they are not real teeth, despite their durability. To maintain them looking their best and extend their longevity for you, they will require a little more attention and effort. This level of cleaning and care does not have to be difficult to handle.
Avoid Dark and Highly Acidic Foods
The bonding agent in veneers can be broken down by highly acidic foods. As a result, it is recommended to avoid drinking lemon juice, orange juice, vinegar, or tomatoes on a regular basis. Also, staining is a problem with porcelain veneers. Traditional whitening methods as a means of addressing this, on the other hand, are ineffective and dangerous for these restorations. As a result, patients should avoid or minimize beverages that are known to stain, such as coffee, tea, soft drinks, and red wine. Acidic foods and beverages can also degrade the veneer’s appearance and strength. After consuming citrus fruits and tomatoes, immediately rinse your mouth or brush your teeth.
Limit Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol, apart from the health concerns that come with its consumption, might also weaken the adhesives used to hold veneers in place. For this reason, it is important for patients to limit their intake of alcoholic beverages and avoid using alcohol-based mouth rinses, as both might weaken teeth. They can accelerate the breakdown of the bonding agent, causing your porcelain veneers to become less secure.
Too much alcohol consumption also means that the veneer may become unstable and needs to be replaced sooner than expected. They are more susceptible to chips and splits without a strong connection. And while high-quality porcelain veneers implanted by a qualified cosmetic dentist can last 15 to 20 years with adequate care, if you drink heavily, the lifespan may be drastically reduced.
Avoid Eating Hard and Crunchy Food
Anything that puts too much strain on the porcelain veneers might harm the surface or the bond. Thus, biting into hard or crunchy foods directly can cause injury, especially if done frequently. Certain foods, such as carrots, entire apples, corn on the cob, extra-crunchy chips, such as corn or kettle-cooked, hard sweets, should be avoided by patients.
If possible, when eating crunchy foods such as fruits and vegetables, chop them into smaller pieces and chew on the side. Hard candies, on the other hand, are also detrimental to dental health and should be avoided at all costs. Chew hard items with your back teeth instead of your front teeth, in this case. Furthermore, when eating hard items that may chip the dental porcelain, such as chicken legs or bone-in steak, be careful not to bite too close to the bone.
Avoid Tough, Chewy Foods
Porcelain veneers are a strong and long-lasting repair that can endure regular biting and chewing forces. However, you should avoid eating certain foods, especially when wearing temporary veneers, to avoid harming the dental treatment. Tough or difficult-to-chew foods can sometimes be dangerous to your porcelain veneers. These objects can become trapped between teeth and along the gum line, providing more germs and decay opportunities. Porcelain veneers can be dislodged by thick-crusted breads, rough slices of meat, jerky, dried fruits, and sticky chocolates, which will require immediate repair or replacement.
If you have porcelain or composite veneers, chewing gum is actually normally safe. But of course, you still must limit chewing them. Gum will not be able to penetrate beneath the veneer due to the hard bonding material. Although most people chew gum with their molars regardless. Just keep in mind that gum frequently contains sugar, which can cause cavities. The integrity of veneers may be jeopardized if cavities infect normal teeth where veneers are present. If you chew gum on a regular basis, stick to sugarless gum.
Key Takeaway
Of course, everyone with porcelain veneers wants their dental treatment to be as successful as it can be. They want them to last longer to achieve optimal results. And all of these are only possible if you take preventive measures. This includes being mindful of the food and drinks you are regularly consuming. For instance, those who wear veneers should avoid dark and highly-acidic foods, as well as tough, chewy, and hard ones. It may ruin the bond that sticks the porcelain veneers to the teeth. Also, it is important to remember to cut down on alcohol consumption, as it also provides great impact to the teeth. As simple as these practices, your porcelain veneers will remain in good shape, providing a successful and effective treatment, addressing your teeth issues that you aim to get rid of.
