It’s natural to feel self-conscious about unsightly dental flaws, such as chips, cracks, stubborn stains, or mild misalignments. After all, one of the first things others notice about you is the condition of your smile, and you might worry about being judged for your dental condition.
Fortunately, your dentist can boost your confidence by placing veneers to mask one or several aesthetic concerns. But many patients are surprised to learn they’ll be fitted with a temporary set before their permanent restorations are placed. Read on to learn why you might need them and what to expect from this treatment!
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin shells that are typically made from durable porcelain that can be customized to match the size, hue, and shape of your natural enamel. Then, they’re cemented over the front surfaces of your teeth to cover imperfections that detract from your smile.
These restorations aren’t intended to be removed once they’re cemented in place, and can often last 15+ years if cared for correctly, making them an excellent long-term solution to improve your appearance.
Why Do I Need Temporary Veneers?
Veneers are quite thin, typically measuring only about 0.2 to 0.5 mm thick. However, your dentist must still remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to ensure they fit correctly against your gumline without appearing bulky or disrupting your bite alignment. This protective outer layer doesn’t regenerate, making this an irreversible change that can slightly increase the risk of developing cavities or sustaining injuries.
Once your dental team prepares your teeth and takes impressions, they will send the information to a dental laboratory, which uses the specifications to begin crafting your one-of-a-kind covers. This can take a week or two, so to safeguard your smile while waiting for the finished products to arrive, your dentist will likely place a temporary set of veneers to protect your grin from potential harm.
What Should I Expect from Temporary Veneers?
Your temporary veneers aren’t intended to remain in place for very long, so they’re not usually as durable as the finished restorations will be. That means they’re more likely to chip or crack, so you should avoid eating anything too sticky, crunchy, chewy, or hard that might hurt them.
Also, these short-term cosmetics don’t contain gaps between the teeth, so you won’t be able to floss in that area until they’re removed and your permanent prosthetics are cemented in place.
If you’re unsure whether you will need temporary veneers, you can ask your dentist directly during your cosmetic consultation to determine if this service is right for you.
About the Practice
At Barker, Rohner and Hunt DMD of Raleigh, patients of all ages benefit from a team of dentists dedicated to helping them build and maintain their healthiest, most beautiful smiles. Dr. Hunt, Dr. Barker, and Dr. Rohner share decades of combined experience, and today, they collaborate to offer a comprehensive menu of services at one convenient location, including veneers. They combine a caring approach with advanced technology to deliver beautiful, lifelike restorations intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (919) 847-7100.
