25 May

Veneers and Gum Disease

When it comes to popular and versatile treatments for aesthetic dental problems, porcelain veneers are among the best options out there.

This includes people suffering from chips, cracks, stains, and tooth gaps. In some cases, porcelain veneers have even been used to help address gum recession.

There are a number of common questions we encounter at Maida Smiles about porcelain veneers as well as gum recession. We will cover some of the most common questions below:

Can porcelain veneers give you gum disease or increase gum recession?

The simple answer is no. People with porcelain veneers can suffer from gum recession, but the porcelain veneers themselves are not the cause of lost gum tissue. The most common causes of gum recession include:

– Gum disease
– Smoking
– Teeth grinding (bruxism)
– Brushing teeth too aggressively
– Flossing too aggressively

In each of these cases, trauma to the gums, oral bacteria, or stress to the underlying tissues along the gum line lead to the loss of gum tissue, not dental shells applied to the teeth. See broken veneers.

Will a gum veneer help receding gums?

If you have receding gums, you probably have questions about how they will change the appearance of your smile, if there’s a way to grow back the gum (or gingiva) that you’ve lost, and the potential reasons for their recession. Unfortunately, there’s no way for gums to grow back, but there are some ways to improve your smile after gum recession. The most minimally invasive option is a gum (or gingiva) veneer.

Just as porcelain veneers can help improve the look of your teeth, a gum veneer can help improve the look of your receding gums. Gum veneers are not as well-known as veneers for your teeth.

Is it a bad idea to veneer healthy teeth?

Veneers have become an increasingly popular treatment option to transform smiles, and quickly. Before you consider if it is bad to veneer natural teeth, you need to ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve.

To prepare for veneer treatment, your dentist will need to file away a layer of enamel in order to create a retentive shape and surface for the veneer to be placed. With teeth that are well aligned a lesser amount of enamel can be removed. Teeth that are extremely crowded and twisted may require much more enamel to be removed.

Cutting away natural tooth tissue cannot be reversed and there are of course, several other treatments to help makeover your smile. Whether veneers are a wholly bad idea depends on your desired result and the position your teeth are in to begin with. We strongly advise consulting with one of our veneers specialists at Maida Smiles for professional advice on the right treatment for you.

How should I take care of my dental veneers?

To clean, protect, and maintain your dental veneers, use these three very simple tips:

– Brush your teeth at least twice a day.
– Floss your teeth at least once a day.
– Rinse your mouth with an antiseptic mouthwash once or twice a day.

Don’t be afraid to brush or floss your veneers—they can handle the pressure! However, do choose a non-abrasive toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush. Proper oral hygiene won’t just clean and protect your veneers, it will also reduce your risk of gum disease, preventing your gums from receding and exposing the tops of your veneers. So in a way, you’re hitting two birds with one stone.

What are the disadvantages of veneers?

There are several points to be aware of when considering veneers. Although they look realistic, porcelain veneers are artificial teeth, which may be a problem for those desiring a more natural solution to their dental issues. While porcelain veneers are relatively tough, it worth bearing in mind they are not completely impervious to any chipping or breaking when exposed to excessive impact or force, e.g. teeth grinding, eating hard foods

There is of course a permanence to veneers. When it’s done, there’s no going back, and since the veneering procedure requires the removal of enamel, some teeth may become more sensitive to hot and cold foods and beverages.