Discoloured, stained, chipped or crooked teeth can have a hugely detrimental impact on a person’s confidence.

When we meet new people, speak to colleagues at work or even catch up with old friends, we tend to greet people with a smile.

And if a person starts feeling self-conscious about their teeth, smiling, greeting and meeting new people can often become a nerve-wracking concept, knocking our confidence in our appearance.

And this is where dental veneers can really change the look of a person’s smile, making white, straight and natural-looking teeth a reality.

What happens during a dental veneers procedure?

The dental veneers procedure is a relatively straightforward process, which involves taking a thin layer of enamel off the tooth, to prepare the placement of the veneer.

This removal of the enamel will ensure that the new veneer stays in place, but doesn’t affect the size of the tooth.

In some cases, you may be put under local anaesthetic to ensure the procedure goes as smoothly as possible, meaning you will feel little to no pain throughout the process.

From here, the dentist will take an impression of the mouth, which is then crafted to fit the desired tooth as perfectly as possible.

While this is being prepared, the dentist may add a temporary cover to your tooth as you wait.

Once the veneer has been created, this can then be attached to your tooth to ensure that it is secured permanently in place.

From start to finish, the procedure should take around 2-3 hours to complete.

What can I expect as part of the recovery process following a dental veneer procedure?

Being a relatively simple dental procedure, patients typically notice no pain following the placement of a veneer, other than some soreness around the gum line.

But, if you have been given local anaesthetic as part of the process, you will, of course, be quite groggy when you come round, which of course will mean you will need to allow for a short window of time to recover.

What are the side effects following a dental veneer procedure?

As mentioned, the less invasive approach of the dental veneer procedure means there are very few side effects that patients have to deal with.

As it is a surgical procedure though, the patient may notice the following side effects:

Soreness

As the gums will have been impacted by the placement of the dental veneer, the patient may experience some soreness around the gum area.

This is very normal though, so the patient need not worry about this - it should disappear just a few days afterwards, ensuring that dental hygiene practices are followed.

Sensitivity

As part of the enamel is removed to place the veneer to the tooth, this could cause some sensitivity, particularly when eating cold or hot food.

In most cases, this is very minimal and will be sure to heal itself after a short period of time.

Gum tissue response

When the veneer has been placed, it can sometimes take some time for it to adjust, therefore causing some discomfort to the patient.

A dentist will check up on this in any follow-up appointments, which is why it is vital for the patient to attend these sessions.

Top tips to dealing with the dental veneer recovery process

Maintaining a regular dental routine is a great step towards protecting and extending the life of your new veneers.

There are steps you can take to ensure your veneers stay looking better for longer, and can protect your teeth in the long run.

When looking after your new veneers, we recommend:

Ensuring a high standard of dental hygiene

Looking after your teeth is vital, particularly when you have a new set of veneers.

As all dentists would recommend of their patients, you will still be expected to clean your teeth, including veneers, at least twice a day, gently flossing and using an antibacterial mouthwash.

Although you may be concerned about brushing your teeth following the procedure, it is vital to keep on top of your dental hygiene to ensure decay doesn’t build up.

By having the mentality that you should clean and look after your teeth the same as you would your normal teeth, you will give your veneers the best chance of lasting for longer.

Avoid hard foods

Dentists will very often recommend avoiding eating hard foods following any sort of dental procedure, as biting directly into hard foods can potentially cause damage to your teeth and veneers.

If you don’t want to avoid hard foods altogether like nuts, corn, carrots etc, then it’s vital that these are cut into small, manageable pieces to ensure that your veneer is not at danger of breaking, and therefore be in need of a replacement.

Avoid protects that stain

If you’re an avid drinker of coffee, tea and wine then this might not be the best news for you.

These all contain particular ingredients that cause staining on the teeth, and can have a particularly detrimental impact on the appearance of your new veneers.

Dentists would often recommend to reduce your intake of these types of drinks to ensure minimal staining, or to use a straw where possible to bypass the teeth as much as possible.

Cigarettes are too a major cause of tooth staining, so again dentists would recommend avoiding this to keep your teeth and veneers looking whiter for longer.

Be aware of the negative impacts of teeth grinding

For those who suffer with ‘bruxism’, otherwise known as a condition that causes you to involuntarily grind your teeth, this can cause detrimental impacts on your new dental veneers.

Bruxism is a particular condition that is impacted by anxiety, but it can also occur when a person is asleep or has an abnormal bite.

Although it is involuntary, teeth grinding can cause damage to veneers.

So one recommendation is to wear a teeth guard at night to ensure that the grinding can’t impact the teeth or veneers at all.

Limit alcohol

Alcohol can have a number of damaging effects on a veneer, including staining the teeth and new veneers, as we have mentioned.

But alcohol can also cause the cement used to bond the veneer to your teeth to soften, which can leave the bonding agent prone to erosion. This can make the veneer susceptible to an array of damaging effects.

Alcohol can be present in some toothpaste products and mouthwashes, so it’s important to look into this before purchasing a new brand too.

Attend all dental appointments following the procedure

Following any surgical procedure, a specialist will always recommend a patient to attend all the necessary follow-up appointments to ensure that they are on the road to recovery.

A dentist will be able to see if your dental veneers are sufficiently in place and that you are maintaining a necessary dental hygiene routine.

If you are considering dental veneers and would like more information on how the process works and recovery, our trained representatives can help advise you on any concerns.

If you’d like to discuss your options with a member of the MedicoTrips team, please call +44 (0) 121 288 4552.