Cavities, Bad Breath and Other Embarrassing Topics

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Cavities, Bad Breath and Other Embarrassing Topics

Bad breath can ruin a first date, embarrass you in front of your friends, or have other unwanted consequences, and although everybody suffers from bad breath, no one seems to want to talk about it. Cavities often seem to be in the same category. Hi! My name is Josie, and I have struggled with cavities and bad breath in the past. I've even had unsightly ulcers between my gums and teeth. Sure, it's gross and a bit embarrassing to talk about, but there's no reason to be embarrassed. I think the internet is a fabulous place in that it lets us learn and talk about things that can be embarrassing to deal with in real life. That feeling lead me to create this blog. In this blog, I am going to offer information on cavities, bad breath and other "embarrassing" topics. I hope you learn a lot along the way!

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All You Need to Know About Dental Veneers

If you want to improve your smile, your dentist may advise you to get dental veneers. The following will help you learn what veneers are, their applications and the procedure for getting them.

Basics of  Dental Veneers

Dental veneers, also referred to as porcelain veneers, are thin shells of tooth colored elements made for covering your tooth's front surface to give you an improved appearance. Dental veneers change the shape, length, size and color of your front teeth.

Dental veneers may either be made from resin or porcelain materials. Veneers made from resin material are thin and do not require a large portion of the tooth surface to be removed before placement. Porcelain veneers are thicker than resin and require a bit more tooth surface to be removed during placement. However, porcelain is better than resin in terms of resisting stains and reflecting light.

Applications of Dental Veneers

Veneers are used for fixing:

  • Discoloured teeth
  • Worn down teeth
  • Broken or chipped teeth
  • Misaligned, irregularly shaped or uneven teeth
  • Teeth that have gaps between them

Procedure for Getting Dental Veneers

Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

During this phase of treatment, you will have the chance to explain to your dentist what you want to achieve, e.g. correct misaligned teeth, hide discoloured teeth or fill gaps between teeth. Your dentist will conduct a comprehensive examination of your teeth; they may make impressions of your teeth or take x-rays, to determine whether veneers are right for you.

Preparation

Some enamel will be trimmed off your tooth's surface. The trimmed off enamel will be proportional in thickness to the veneer that will be applied to your tooth. Before this procedure, your dentist may give you some anesthetic for the pain.

Next, an impression or model of your tooth shall be created. The model will help in the construction of a veneer that is a perfect match for the shape and size of your tooth.

Bonding

Before your dentist permanently cements the veneer to your tooth, they will place it temporarily to check its color and fit. Your dentist will repeatedly trim the dental veneer to achieve the right fit. He or she will clean, polish and etch your tooth to make it rough for bonding with the veneer. Your dentist will then apply special cement to the veneer and place it on your tooth. After placing the veneer on your tooth, your dentist will pass a light beam over the veneer to harden it. Finally, your dentist will remove excess cement, evaluate your bite and make any necessary adjustments to the veneers (such as additional trimming).

For more information about dental veneers and whether they'll work for you, contact a local cosmetic dentistry clinic. 


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