If your teeth are crooked, dental braces are the ideal way to straighten them so that you can smile with confidence. However, braces cannot treat discoloured, chipped, or misshapen teeth so some orthodontic patients choose to get veneers once their braces come off. The combination of the two treatments can transform a smile and help to improve the quality of a patient's life both in work and in their personal relationships. Although the two treatments do complement each other, there are some caveats that you should consider before seeking a cosmetic dentist.
Your Gums and Teeth Need Time to Recover
Once your braces come off your orthodontist will advise you to give your gums and teeth time to heal before eating harder foods. Remember, your teeth have just spent 1-3 years being slowly pushed through your jawbone. This means they may be slightly loose, a little more sensitive than usual, and your gum tissue may also be inflamed.
Adding veneers while your teeth are still recovering could interfere with their recovery and also affect the look of your veneers if your teeth shift. Wait 1-3 months before getting your veneers to allow your teeth and gums to settle.
A Metal Retainer Will Damage Your Veneers
When your braces come off, initially, you will need to wear a retainer 24 hours a day for several months to allow your teeth to settle into a secure position. Inform your orthodontist that you plan to get veneers once your braces are removed. That way, they can prepare a clear plastic retainer for you instead of a metal wire.
You will also need to wear your retainer nightly for the rest of your life so just imagine what a metal wire might do to them while you sleep.
A Lingual Retainer May Need to be Removed
Ideally, you will inform your orthodontist or dentist of your plan to get veneers before your braces come off. They can then prepare a clear plastic retainer for you. However, if you already have a permanent lingual retainer attached to the back of your teeth, your cosmetic dentist may need to remove it when attaching your veneers. This is to allow the dentist to properly remove excess cement from the attachment of the veneers. Afterwards, they will either tell you to get a new lingual retainer or recommend that you opt for a clear plastic one instead.
Braces and veneers do work very well together, providing veneers are the second step in the process. Keep your orthodontist and a dentist, such as the ones found at http://www.dentalsmile.com.au, informed and up to date with your plans to ensure that there are no untimely surprises in your treatment routine.
Share22 June 2017
Thanks for visiting my health blog! My name's Caroline. A few years ago, I started to notice changes in my appearance. My hair was dull, my eyes were circled with dark rings, and my skin was looking like it used to when I was a teenager. When cosmetic treatments didn't fix things, I realised the problem wasn't on the outside of my body—it was on the inside! That's when I started researching how to keep myself healthy. To my surprise, improving my internal health really worked. A few years down the line, I feel and look better than ever, and I'm ready to share what I've learned with all of you.