Meanwhile, Lumineers are made of a patented form of ceramic and offer an even thinner
option for restoring your smile. So which one should you choose? Here are the fundamental
differences between these cosmetic treatments and why some patients would favor one over
the other.

The Difference Between Lumineers and Traditional Veneers

Lumineers provide many of the same benefits as traditional veneers. They’re strong, thin, and
transform your smile. However, Lumineers offer a difference that porcelain veneers can’t
provide—in many cases, no tooth preparation is necessary.

In traditional porcelain veneers, a bit of tooth enamel needs to be removed in order for the
veneer to bond properly to the surface of the teeth. Many patients would prefer to skip this
step to avoid the removal of some of their tooth enamel, even if it is only a tiny amount.

Lumineers allow patients to keep more of their natural tooth structure and tend to be less
translucent than porcelain veneers, which can look slightly less translucent but provide a robust
shade of white that’s resistant to stains.

Why Lumineers Appeal to Some Patients

Lumineers appeal to many patients for a few reasons, the first being the ability to forgo tooth
preparation and keep more of their tooth structure.

Another reason is that the procedure has the possibility to be reversed without permanently
damaging your natural teeth. With porcelain veneers, the removal of tooth enamel is
irreversible and so these are considered a permanent form of treatment.

However, since Lumineers allow the patient to keep their natural teeth the way they are, they
tend to not fit as snugly against the natural teeth as porcelain veneers do. This means they may
protrude slightly, which can make the lips appear fuller (which some patients like).

Making the Best Choice for Your Smile

Both porcelain veneers and Lumineers are custom-made, meaning that your dentist will help
you decide on the best size, shape, and color for your smile. Your restored smile should always
suit your preferences and provide you with confidence and functionality.

Lumineers and porcelain veneers can provide very similar results, but the choice you make will
be based on your unique smile and what you’d like the end result to be. Your dentist can help
you make the best choice for you by discussing the pros and cons of using each in regards to
what you want to accomplish with your smile.

If you want to change the appearance of your smile, considering either Lumineers or porcelain
veneers can help dramatically improve your smile without the need for teeth whitening,
orthodontics, or even tooth bonding. Schedule a consultation with your dentist to ask how one
of these cosmetic treatments can improve your smile!

The post Are Lumineers or Porcelain Veneers the Better Choice for Your Smile? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

So do porcelain veneers actually increase tooth sensitivity? Here’s everything you need to know
about veneers when it comes to temperature sensitivity for your pearly whites!

Temporary Tooth Sensitivity

Many people experience temporary tooth sensitivity after they get their new dental veneers.
This is on account of the tiny amount of enamel removed. Anywhere from a few days to a few
weeks is normal to experience mild tooth sensitivity after your new porcelain veneers are
placed. Not everyone will experience this type of sensitivity after getting their veneers.

However, if you continue to experience tooth sensitivity past two or three months, or if you’re
experiencing severe tooth sensitivity, call your dentist. This type of persistent or severe
sensitivity could be indicative of a bigger problem with your veneers, or they may not have
bonded correctly to your teeth. It’s important that you get it checked out to alleviate the
problem.

Possible Help for Tooth Sensitivity

If your tooth enamel has been compromised, it’s possible that porcelain veneers may actually
be able to help alleviate your tooth sensitivity. This is because dental veneers cover the teeth
and are permanently bonded to the teeth, making it impossible for hot or cold foods to reach
the damaged tooth enamel.

Your dentist can help you determine if you’re a candidate for dental veneers based on your
enamel loss. If you’re missing too much enamel, your dentist may not be able to properly bond
the veneers and therefore you may not be a candidate. Whether or not veneers can help your
tooth sensitivity will depend on your unique smile!

Should You Get Veneers?

Veneers can help with a variety of cosmetic dental issues. They can cover up severely stained
teeth that don’t respond to professional whitening treatments. They can cover gaps, pointy
teeth, or minor alignment problems. People turn to dental veneers for all kinds of reasons, but
most importantly because they provide people with a brand-new smile!

Whether or not you’re a candidate for dental veneers will depend on numerous factors. A
professional dentist can help you determine the pros and cons of getting veneers for your
smile. Your dentist can also answer any more questions you may have about veneers in regards
to tooth sensitivity. Although not everyone will experience tooth sensitivity after getting their
new veneers, many people experience at least mild sensitivity for a few days.

Are you considering dental veneers for your smile? Although dental veneers have the potential
to cause temporary tooth sensitivity, they also have the potential to correct severe tooth
sensitivity in the proper candidates. To discover if veneers could be the smile solution you’ve
been looking for, schedule an appointment with your dentist today!

The post Do Dental Veneers Increase Tooth Sensitivity? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

When it comes to your treatment for closing the gap in your smile, you have options. How can
you safely and effectively get rid of the gap while having a healthy smile?

Dental Bonding

Dental bonding consists of a composite resin material that’s used to make the gap in your teeth
disappear. It’s designed to be the same color as your teeth, so a skilled dentist should be able to
make it look just like a natural part of your smile.

Here’s how it works: composite resin is bonded to the sides of the teeth that are closest to the
gap. Through extending the surface area of each tooth, your dentist is able to close the gap.

Dental bonding is the best choice for gaps that are smaller in size, so talk with your dentist
about whether or not dental bonding is right for you.

Porcelain Veneers

Dental veneers are another option for hiding the gap in your teeth. This material is stronger
than dental bonding and will last longer, as it consists of a thin shell permanently bonded over
your teeth. Veneers also tend to be resistant to staining and are considered to be sturdy and
enduring to replace your gap and restore your smile.

Porcelain veneers may be your best option if your gap is too wide for dental bonding to fix. Your
dentist can help you determine if the veneers can just be applied to your two teeth that need
the gap repaired, or if your veneers will need to extend farther than that to ensure your smile
looks natural and everything matches.

Braces

If you want to fix the gap in your teeth by sidestepping cosmetic options, you can physically
close the gap through orthodontic treatment. You may have the option of choosing either
braces, Invisalign, or getting a retainer to help push the teeth together.

Orthodontics will permanently fix the gap in your tooth and can help you have a natural,
beautiful smile for life with the right treatment plan. Your dentist should be able to refer you to
an orthodontist for an evaluation on what treatment might be able to help you!

Implants

If you’re missing a tooth and want to replace it, a dental implant may be your best alternative.
This will not only be a permanent solution to your missing tooth, but help retain jawbone and
hold the place in your smile where your natural tooth would have been.

Dental implants are more secure than partial dentures and will function as a permanent
replacement for your natural tooth—but no one will be able to tell the difference between the
implant and your other teeth!

Do you have a gap in your teeth that’d you’d like to close? Schedule a consultation with your
dentist to talk about your treatment options. You can effectively hide your gap and make your
smile look as beautiful as you imagine it to be!

The post Top Treatment Options for Closing the Gap in Your Smile appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Repair Gum Tissue

Depending on how severe your bruxism is and how long it’s been going on, your gum tissue may have been affected. Bruxism can often cause inflammation of the gums or even gum recession. This means your gums may need to be healed first or you may need to have what’s called a crown lengthening to prepare your affected teeth for the restoration process.

Dental Crowns

Dental crowns are an effective restoration choice for people who have severe damage from their bruxism. Crowns act as a cap for your tooth to protect your tooth’s root and repair your smile. Dental crowns can repair any existing damage but also are adept at preventing future damage. If your dentist suggests that dental crowns would be your best choice, you may need a crown lengthening in order to fit the crown. When it comes to dental crowns, you have several choices for the material. From traditional gold to porcelain fused to metal to all ceramic crowns, you and your dentist can decide what your best fit would be.

Veneers

Since bruxism can affect the appearance of your front teeth, veneers could be your best choice to restore your worn down pearly whites. For instance, bruxism tends to make your entire row of top and bottom teeth look uniform. Veneers can restore your smile to its natural appearance and help rebuild its functionality as well. Resin or porcelain veneers work well for visible damage on the front teeth to improve your smile.

Stopping Bruxism

In order to complete the restoration work on your smile, you’ll need to stop your bruxism before it continues to damage your restored teeth. This may include wearing a mouthguard at night, which should be custom made by your dentist to properly protect your smile. You may also need to have your bite corrected, as patients with misaligned bites can be more likely to grind their teeth.

Whatever your unique solution will be, your dentist can help you combat your bruxism so you can enjoy your beautiful smile to the fullest! It’s important not to wait to get help when it comes to bruxism. The longer you wait, the more damage you can incur from your habit. Minor damage will require less restorative work than severe damage! It’s also important to find a dentist who’s experienced in restoring smiles that are damaged from bruxism, as you may need some or all of your teeth rebuilt. Seek help today to restore your teeth from bruxism!

The post How to Restore Teeth Worn Down by Bruxism appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

and healthy-looking smile. Although veneers are made of porcelain and tend to be stain-resistant and strong, it’s still important to take the best possible care of your dental veneers. By getting regular checkups with your dentist and taking care of your veneers, you can maximize their lifespan and have a gorgeous smile for years to come!

How can you take the best care of your dental veneers?

Brush and Floss Normally

As your veneers are very sturdy, don’t be afraid to damage them with regular brushing and flossing. That being said, you should never brush or floss too aggressively. Brushing removes plaque that builds up from food and bacteria and flossing helps to reach all the spaces that brushing misses. Carry on with your regular brushing and flossing routine—aim to brush twice a day and floss at least once per day!

Use a Non-Abrasive Toothpaste

Traditional toothpastes clean your teeth by using mildly abrasive elements such as particles of silica or calcium carbonate. These particles act as tiny scrubbers that get your teeth clean. Although no toothpaste is totally non-abrasive, there are some that are more mildly abrasive than others. This could include using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth—this type of toothpaste may be ideal as patients often experience mild tooth sensitivity for a few days after the adhesion of their veneers. Talk with your dentist about which toothpaste he or she would recommend to care for your veneers.

If You Suffer from Bruxism, Talk to Your Dentist

Bruxism (teeth grinding) can be very damaging to your natural teeth as well as your veneers. The best time to address your concerns about bruxism is during your consultation for dental veneers. Your dentist can take this into account when making your custom veneers. Although your dental veneers are strong, your jaw exerts intense pressure onto your teeth during grinding and can damage them!

Don’t Misuse Your Teeth

Your teeth were made for biting and chewing, but this doesn’t mean it’s beneficial to bite on objects such as metal or pens or chew on ice. You’ll need to protect your veneers just as you would your natural teeth. Biting on objects that weren’t meant to be in contact with your teeth can crack or chip your veneers, and you’ll need a replacement earlier than you would have if you had avoided this practice.

Porcelain veneers are an excellent choice for many patients—they’re very stain-resistant, strong, and make a beautiful smile. Patients can even experience improved gum health with dental veneers. Talk with your dentist about the proper care for your veneers—they can last for years with the right treatment!

Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

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