Braces as an adult? No way. At least, that was what I thought when my dentist told me that I was going to have to see an orthodontist about my crooked teeth. But my teeth were so misaligned that they were causing me pain when I chewed, so I decided to at least look into it. Turns out braces today are nothing like the ones my friends had when I was a kid. Mine were practically invisible, and I didn't need to wear them that long. I started this blog to encourage other people like me who are nervous about the prospect of wearing braces as an adult. My straight smile is so worth the trips to the orthodontist, and wearing braces was nowhere near as bad as I thought. Read on to find out more about how you can straighten your smile.
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Dental veneers are tooth coverings that can drastically change the appearance of the teeth. If you have cracked, stained, and uneven teeth, then veneers can definitely make them look more appealing. However, you should understand that veneer placement requires some careful preparation. If you want to know what to expect, then keep reading.
Dental Enamel Grinding
Most porcelain dental veneers are extremely thin. The tooth coverings are around one millimeter thick and cover the front and top sides of the teeth. This type of covering helps the veneers cover all of the exposed areas of the teeth without having to sit over the entire dental surface. This keep costs down when it comes to materials and it allows your dentist to remove only a minimal amount of enamel.
Dental enamel must be removed from the surfaces where the veneers are adhered in place. This occurs for two reasons. The removal helps to keep the teeth the same size and thickness after the veneers are glued down. If the enamel was not removed, then each tooth would be one full millimeter thicker. This would look unnatural and feel unappealing.
Also, enamel is removed so the veneers can be glued down. Enamel is smooth and dental cement would not stick to the surface properly. Enamel grinding helps to create a texture the adhesive can stick to. While grinding is not pleasant, your dentist will likely use a numbing gel to reduce discomfort.
Cavity Treatments
If you have cavities in your teeth, then the decay will need to be treated carefully and completely before the veneers can be secured. If cavities are not treated, then decay can spread through the tooth. If the tooth is covered with a veneer, then you may not see the cavity immediately. The decay can reach the tooth's pulp chamber and cause an infection. Infections and severe cavities will require the removal of the veneer. Once the treatment is over, a new veneer will need to be created and adhered. This can be expensive and it is best to have all cavities treated beforehand.
Typically, cavities will be removed and filled in with resin composite materials. The tooth colored material helps to create a virtually invisible repair that cannot be seen through the translucent veneers. If an aluminum material is used, then the tooth will look dark under the tooth covering. Your dentist will know that and make sure the teeth look as appealing as possible.
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