How Do Veneers Work?

A dental veneer is a thin piece of porcelain that cosmetic dentists place on top of your teeth in order to achieve a certain aesthetic effect.  Think of veneers as similar, in some ways, to a contact lens – a thin layer of material used to augment and improve a natural look or function.

There are different types of veneers, applied via different methods that help you achieve a better-looking smile. But all dental veneers work by concealing and covering flaws and damage in the following ways:

Building up of tooth-colored resin  - Resin veneers camouflage cracks, chips, and deep staining on teeth by way of building up a composite material that looks just like your real teeth. Your cosmetic dentist “paints” this material on your teeth, with the result being teeth that look flawless and damage-free.

Covering natural teeth – What most people know as veneers are the thin shells made of porcelain, as described above.  Your dentist will buff down a small amount of tooth enamel so that the shell lays flush on your teeth and doesn’t looker thicker than any of your surrounding natural teeth.

There are also “no-prep” veneers that work the same way as regular veneers, by covering up flaws on teeth; however, the “no-prep” style of veneers are typically thinner and require either buffing down a smaller amount of dental enamel, or none.  After preparing your teeth, veneers are bonded in place with strong dental cement.

Veneers can help you achieve a whitening effect for your smile, and can even make teeth look straighter, if you’re struggling with mild crowding or gaps between teeth.  Many cosmetic dentists will work with you to help you pick a desired shade for your teeth, especially if you’re getting veneers on all of the top teeth in your smile zone.  Because veneers are bonded in place, they can last for many years with proper care.

If you have questions about how veneers can help you cover damaged teeth, or disguise flaws on teeth, contact Hillcrest Dental Group today for your cosmetic dentistry consultation.  We customize treatment to fit your needs, as well as your goals for an improved smile.

Recovering from Oral Conscious Sedation

Sedation dentistry makes it easy for fearful patients to get the dental care they need. If you’re considering sedation for the first time, it’s important to know what goes on during your appointment and what recovery will be like.

Sedative medications utilized in sleep dentistry are safe and have been widely used for many years to help patients relax. You can expect the following during the recovery process for oral conscious dental treatment:

• Provide Your Dentist with Your Medial History before Treatment - Health conditions, such as diabetes, and habits like smoking can affect what sedative medications are chosen for you, the overall sedation effect, and ultimately your care instructions for the recovery process.  Be sure to disclose your medical history, as well as any medications you’re currently taking, so your dentist can provide you with accurate after-care tips.

• Bring a Friend –You’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. Different sedative medications have different half-lives, so you may still be experiencing sedative effects after your dental appointment is over, making it unsafe for you to drive yourself home.

• Avoid Eating and Drinking for 6 Hours Beforehand – Some patients may experience nausea as the sedative effect wears away. Because of this, it’s important to avoid eating and drinking before your appointment, to prevent stomach upset. If you feel light-headed or dizzy after treatment, eating light foods can help prevent this feeling.

• Take the Rest of the Day off Work - You’ll need to take some time to relax and let the sedative effects taper away. During this time, make sure to drink plenty of fluids, reduce activity, and do not attempt to drive or operate other machinery. 

Oral conscious sedation uses milder sedatives that pose decreased risk of side effects and are non-habit forming.  Recovering from sedation is a comfortable process that only requires rest and relaxation for the day – and sometimes less, depending on the level of sedation and the length of your dental appointment. At Hillcrest Dental Group, we help anxious patients get comfortable dental care with oral conscious sedation. If you have questions for our Petaluma sedation dentists, please call our office for more information.