Are you thinking about getting porcelain veneers, but aren’t sure if they’ll really look as good as you want them to? What if there was a way to try out a new smile while you wait for your permanent prosthetics to be crafted? The good news is that with temporary veneers, you can do just that! Here’s a closer look at these disposable restorations, and why your dentist has you wear them before your new smile is ready to roll!
What are Veneers?
Veneers are essentially thin porcelain shells that fit over your teeth to change their size, shape, spacing, and even shade. They can be completely customized to your ideal color, and are stain resistant, so you can still enjoy all the darkly pigmented foods and beverages you love.
With proper oral hygiene and habits, your veneers can last for up to 20 years, but because your dentist must remove a small amount of enamel from each tooth to make room for them, you’ll always need to have them or a dental crown on the reshaped teeth, as enamel does not grow back.
Why Do I Need Temporary Veneers?
While you are waiting for your permanent veneers to be custom made for you at the dental lab, your dentist will place temporary prosthetics on your teeth to keep them safe following the enamel reduction. This will help prevent them from breakage and reduce sensitivity to hot and cold. Please be aware that temporary veneers aren’t as durable as real ones, and as a result could become damaged or fall off much easier. To prevent this, be sure to avoid any foods that are excessively hard or sticky. You may also still experience some mild sensitivity during this time, but it should go away once your permanent prosthetics are in place.
In addition to protecting the underlying tooth structure while you wait for your real veneers, the temporary prosthetics serve several important purposes, including:
- They allow your dentist to see your potential new smile and adjust the final product before they are made at the lab.
- They help you to get a feeling for how your new smile will look and feel once your permanent restorations are in place.
- They give you time to practice eating and speaking while accounting for the new additions to your teeth.
In most cases, patients only need to wear temporary veneers for one to two weeks, depending on how quickly the permanent ones are delivered from the dental lab. Once they arrive, you’ll return to your dentist’s office to have the temporary restorations removed and the permanent ones cemented in place. Then, you’ll be free to go show off that gorgeous, glowing new smile!
How Do I Care for Temporary Veneers?
Although you won’t be wearing your temporary veneers for long, you should still make a few lifestyle adjustments to ensure they don’t break or fall off while you wait, including:
- Avoid eating any foods that are too hard or sticky, as these can break the veneers or pull them off your teeth.
- Temporary veneers aren’t as stain resistant as their permanent counterparts, so they can discolor quite easily. Thus, be sure to limit your consumption of darkly colored foods and beverages during this time.
- Brush and floss your teeth as usual but be careful when flossing as this can sometimes pull temporary veneers off the teeth.
- If you are experiencing tooth sensitivity, avoid eating anything too hot, cold, sweet, or acidic while you wear your temporary veneers.
- Should you lose or break a temporary veneer, please call your dentist as soon as possible and do not attempt to reglue or attach it yourself using household products.
Remember, although temporary veneers may seem like an unnecessary extra step in your smile restoration journey, the truth is these prosthetics serve many important purposes when it comes to protecting your smile during its transformation. Thus, be sure to take proper care of your teeth while wearing them and get ready for the incredible changes your gorgeous grin is about to undergo when your permanent veneers arrive!
About Our Practice
At Painesville Dental Group, we are proud to offer smile upgrades with the help of cosmetic dentistry treatments such as porcelain veneers. If you’re ready to change multiple aspects of your teeth at once, these incredible restorations could be the solution! To learn more about porcelain veneers, schedule a consultation for cosmetic dentistry today by visiting our website or calling 440-354-2183.