Dental Tips: Will I Ever Get Cavities with Dental Veneers?

If you’ve ever wished for straighter, whiter or more even-looking teeth, dental veneers can completely alter the appearance of your smile with minimal change to the natural teeth below.

Dental veneers are a relatively simple solution for achieving a beautiful smile.

With the external application of a material designed to protect and mimic the tooth’s surface, a skilled dentist can correct any cosmetic issues and give the tooth a strong coating that can help resist decay.

So, what are veneers, and can they be damaging to your oral health?

What are veneers?

Veneers are thin coatings that are applied to the outside surface of your tooth.

Generally, veneers are used to improve the appearance of teeth that show imperfections, such as discolouration, chips, cracks, or slight misalignment.

The natural teeth underneath support the veneers, which are shaped to create even, beautifully white rows of teeth.

One common method of achieving this look is to use composite veneers, which are created by the dentist while the patient is sitting in the dental chair.

Composite veneers are made by using layers of product applied directly to the tooth that are built up to produce the desired appearance.

While composite veneers are generally significantly cheaper than the alternative, they are also much weaker and give a less natural-looking result.

The alternative method is to use porcelain veneers. These are made in a dental laboratory, individually sculpted to fit each tooth.

As a material, porcelain is far superior at mimicking the translucency of a real tooth, leading to a more natural-looking result. Porcelain veneers are also much stronger than composite veneers, which give your teeth better protection.

To apply veneers, a dentist will prepare the surface of the tooth by gently scraping away a small amount of enamel. The veneer will then be tightly fitted and firmly attached to the tooth, acting as a layer of protection.

Concerns about veneers

White, even-looking teeth is the goal, but not at the cost of your oral health. Some people are concerned that by getting veneers, the integrity of their teeth might be compromised, potentially leading to cavities.

The truth is, getting veneers safely is all in the skill of your dentist. Some people might not be good candidates for veneers until other oral health issues are taken care of, especially if they have cavities or gum disease.

However, once any issues have been corrected, a skilled dentist can reduce the risk of cavities by:

• Correct application. If veneers are not applied correctly, it can cause a gap which increases the potential for a cavity to form. Applying the veneer to exactly fit the tooth reduces this risk.
• Fixing existing problems. Teeth that are already showing signs of decay need to be restored before veneers can be used. If a veneer is placed on top of a decaying tooth, the tooth will continue to decay underneath. Your Hoppers Crossing dentist will ensure the surface of the natural tooth is ready before applying veneers.
• Protecting enamel. To apply veneers, your Hoppers Crossing dentist will need to scrape away a small amount of the tooth’s natural enamel to ensure a proper fit. A tooth that already has reduced enamel will need to be treated with extra care.
• Great aftercare. When it comes to cavities, prevention is much better than attempting a cure. Regular check-ups and good oral hygiene advice will reduce the risk of cavities, and allow your dentist to spot any problems with plenty of time to fix them before they potentially turn into a more serious issue.

Getting Optimum Care in Hoppers Crossing

Veneers are excellent solutions for people who would like to correct or adjust the appearance of their teeth.

Without significant structural changes, a dentist can apply a product that improves the appearance of the tooth, while protecting it with a hard layer.

Composite veneers are cheaper, but also weaker and with a less natural finish, while porcelain veneers are very strong with a natural, translucent finish. Each porcelain veneer is created for your individual teeth, based on your desired end result.

When deciding whether either type of veneer is right for you, it’s important to consult with a trusted dentist. They can guide you as to the right type of veneer, the preparation your teeth will need before the veneer can be applied, how the application will proceed and good aftercare to keep your teeth healthy and strong.

Veneers can significantly improve the appearance of your teeth, and give you the extra confidence that comes with white, even teeth. Talk to your dentist today about how you can work together to safely achieve your best ever smile.

Smiles in Hoppers Crossing!

At Sayers Dental Aesthetics & Implants, we believe everyone deserves high-quality dentistry, and we are here to help you achieve this.

Sayers Dental Aesthetics & Implants is a multi-surgery practice caring for the oral health needs of the communities.

Our focus remains on providing patients with exceptional General, Orthodontics and Implant dentistry.

We have a particular interest in implants, orthodontics, and smile rejuvenation via veneers, crowns, and bridges. We are also expert at dealing with unexpected dental emergencies we all dread.

For more information about cavities with dental veneers in Hoppers Crossing, call us on (03) 9749 1178 or request your appointment online.

We are located at 483 Sayers Road in Hoppers Crossing.