What Risks are Involved With the Dental Veneer Procedure?

A dental veneer procedure is used to improve the looks of teeth that are stained, chipped or slightly crooked. The procedure is done by covering imperfections in the teeth with dental veneers, which are wafer-thin porcelain shells custom made to fit perfectly over a person’s teeth.

If you are thinking about getting veneers, you are probably wondering if the procedure carries any risks. To find out, read on to learn about dental veneer procedures and their risks.

How the dental veneer procedure is done

After a dentist finds that their patient is a good candidate for dental veneers, the following steps will take place:

• First, the dentist will numb the mouth, usually with a local anesthetic
• To create space for the veneers, the dentist will remove a thin layer of enamel from each tooth
• The dentist will then take an impression of the prepared teeth and send the impression to a dental lab
• The dentist will cover the patient’s teeth with temporary restorations and send the patient home
• At the dental lab, the veneers will be made based on the mold of the patient’s teeth; once the veneers are fabricated, they will be sent back to the dentist
• During the second dental visit, the dentist will place the veneers onto the patient’s teeth with dental cement or another type of dental bonding

The risks that come with the dental veneer procedure

While the procedure of fitting veneers is fairly simple, it has a few risks. Luckily, the chances that a patient will experience side effects are extremely low. Here are a few of the risks associated with a dental veneer procedure:

1. Tooth sensitivity

To place veneers, a dentist must prepare a patient’s teeth by removing a thin layer of enamel, which protects the teeth from heat, cold and pressure.

A person should expect some sensitivity immediately after the procedure, but it should fade with time. If a person continues to experience sensitivity months after the procedure, they should see a dentist.

The discomfort could be caused by poorly placed veneers or irritated nerves.

2. Ill-fitting veneers

When the veneers do not fit quite right, they cause a bad bite, which in turn, makes it hard for a person to chew. A bad bite may also cause jaw pain. Poorly placed veneers are also prone to breakage.

3. Staining

Porcelain veneers are stain resistant, but the dental cement that binds them to the teeth is not. If the cement becomes stained, the veneers will appear discolored. That is why one has to be careful to not consume food or drinks that can cause stains.

4. Veneer replacement

Porcelain veneers are durable, but they do have a lifespan that can be reduced by breakage and poor maintenance. Replacing veneers has one major drawback: In order to place a new veneer, the dentist has to remove yet another layer of enamel. This leaves the inner tooth even more exposed than it was before.

That is why some people opt to replace veneers with dental crowns, which cover and protect the teeth.

Are veneers worth the risk?

The truth is that with dental veneers, the benefits outweigh the risks. All you have to do is find a qualified, skilled and experienced dentist to perform the procedure.

If you are looking to improve your smile with veneers, drop by to see our cosmetic dentists.

Visit our website at  https://www.pleasantdental.net for more information about the dental veneer procedure or call Pleasant Dental at (203) 426-0500.