Porcelain Veneers: Understanding the Process and Aftercare [Video Q&A]

Your smile is important. More than just an expression, smiles are a way we genuinely connect with each other and the world. But when you don’t feel confident in your smile, it can be harder to do. People who are insecure about the appearance of their teeth may smile less, losing out on these important connections. But with porcelain veneers, you may be able to boost your confidence! This cosmetic procedure enhances your teeth and transforms your smile into something you wear proudly.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

At St. Apollonia Dental, we offer a full range of cosmetic procedures, including porcelain veneers.

Veneers are thin porcelain shells that cover the imperfections on your teeth, such as:

• Cracks and chips
• Gaps and overlaps
• Stubborn staining
• Minor misalignments

By placing veneers over your damaged enamel, we help hide blemishes and revamp your smile’s appearance.

Additionally, veneers are completely customizable, allowing you to choose each veneer’s shape, size, and shade. With veneer treatment, you can totally redesign your smile to fit your preferences.

What Is the Veneer Process?

A total smile makeover sounds like an intense procedure that may involve severely altering your teeth. But with dental veneers, we revamp your smile using a minimally invasive procedure.

During your free consultation with us, we will perform a smile analysis. The process involves assessing the length, width, shape, and position of your teeth. Then, using these measurements, we’re able to determine your needs and how to get there.

With your input, we will design your new smile. And because we take the aesthetics of your smile and facial harmony into account, we will create an incredibly natural look that enhances your teeth’s appearance.

Before we begin, a lab will create a replica called a “trial smile,” which is a bonding procedure that shows you your projected results. We will alter this smile until it fits your exact preferences.

Then, we will begin the veneer placement process. The first step is preparation, which involves gently removing about half a millimeter of your front-facing enamel to make room for the veneer.

By using a local anesthetic, we ensure the process is comfortable and easy for patients to endure. Then, we’ll place a temporary set of veneers modeled after the trial smile.

Finally, once your final veneers are crafted, we will replace the temporaries with the real deal. These veneers will look exactly like you designed them, and fit naturally in your mouth.

At St. Apollonia Dental, porcelain veneers are one of our favorite treatments to perform. We love making patients feel confident in their smile, and veneers are a great way to give yourself a confidence boost.

How To Care for Porcelain Veneers?

Veneer treatment is actually one of the longest-lasting treatments we offer here in Sterling Heights, MI. But they will only last as long as you take care of them.

Just like natural teeth, you need to brush twice a day and floss regularly. Additionally, attending routine dental visits is essential to ensure the teeth beneath your veneers remain healthy.

However, one of the biggest problems our patients with veneers encounter is bruxism.

Bruxism, also known as tooth grinding or clenching, causes significant damage to veneers or any dental work. But before we begin your treatment, we will assess if you grind or clench. Thankfully, there are usually signs like worn-down teeth or notches in your roots that let us know.

If you grind your teeth, we insist that you use a bite guard. This custom oral appliance fits over your smile like a mouthguard. But rather than protecting your teeth during a sport, the guard protects them from clenching.

At night, we recommend you wear your bite guard to sleep. The appliance will prevent unconscious clenching and grinding and protect your veneers from damage.

Revitalize Your Smile With Porcelain Veneers in Sterling Heights, MI

The way you feel about your smile has a genuine impact on how you interact with the world. Insecurities about your teeth may cause you to smile less, affecting your confidence and your ability to connect with others. But with porcelain veneer treatment, we give your smile the confidence boost it deserves! These shells of porcelain are minimally invasive and hide the imperfections that are holding you back.

To learn if you’re eligible for porcelain veneers, book a free consultation with us at St. Apollonia Dental in Sterling Heights, MI!