Congratulations! You decided to get veneers! Your new smile is only a few short weeks away. This time period is typically filled with excitement and some anxiety as you begin transforming your smile to one that you have only ever imagined.
Unfortunately, many dentists focus solely on the end picture, forgetting to mention the two week period between the first procedure when your teeth are prepared and the placement of your permanent veneers. However, this time, though short, is one of the more important parts of the process. This article will briefly give you some additional tips and information in order to ensure that your dream smile surly becomes the one that your have always wanted.
At Frankel Dentistry we utilize wax mock-ups to create your temporary veneers, which ultimately lead to more accurate results. During a wax mock-up a mold of your teeth is taken and used to create a model of your current smile. Each model tooth is prepared just as your enamel would be and then built back up with tooth colored wax to simulate veneers.
The process gives you a chance to approve of your veneers before the permanent ones are placed. By wearing the temporary veneers, you can see how they feel and where they will bite together. At this stage of the process, if you are unsatisfied with how they look, feel, or the shape of the temporaries, you can always visit Dr. Frankel and have adjustments made before the final porcelain veneers are placed. It is always less expensive to make adjustments to your veneers during this phase than when the final ones are fabricated and placed.
Typically, temporary veneers do not have gaps between the teeth. Therefore, it is recommended to not floss while the temporary veneers are one your teeth for you may risk popping them off. Additionally, temporary veneers may be a little thicker on your teeth. This may cause some discomfort while chewing or alter your speech for a few days while your mouth adjusts to the veneers.
Eating may cause some discomfort, and you may experience some sensitivity to heat, cold, air, or sweets. It is recommended that you stay away from hard, sticky, chewy, or crunchy foods because these are the types of foods that may damage a temporary veneer. Finally, it is suggested that you also avoid food that contains color additives for they may stain the teeth.
Sometimes, even if you are doing everything correctly, a temporary veneer may fall off. If this occurs, it is important to visit Dr. Frankel immediately in order to get it reapplied. Remember the purpose of the temporary veneer is to protect the slightly shaven tooth and eliminate some sensitivity while the permanent veneer is being artistically crafted in a lab.
Additionally, it is important to remember that temporary veneers should be a great communication tool toward the final result. Generally speaking, a temporary veneer should be close in length, shape, and alignment of the final result. Once the temporaries are placed, you can communicate with your dentist about what minor changes need to be made. However, if you desire major changes, a new wax mock-up might be taken to ensure that you are getting your perfect smile.
The color of the temporary veneers is another matter. The temporary veneers are made out of a different material than a permanent ones, resulting in the temporary ones not looking as natural as the permanent, porcelain versions. Therefore, it is important to remember that when it comes to color, your permanent veneers will blend much more naturally into your smile.
Always remember that the temporary veneers are just a stepping stone to the final process. If you experience any doubt about the process during this stage, it is important to communicate those concerns with Dr. Frankel immediately. However, these concerns will fade away once the permanent veneer is placed, tooth sensitivity is eliminated, and you experience your new and improved smile. Again, congratulations, your amazing smile is just a few short weeks away, don’t let the experience of the temporary veneers cloud the vision of the final project. And hopefully, knowing what you are going to experience will help alleviate any anxiety.