How strong and durable is porcelain?

On the Mohs Scale of Hardness, dental porcelain rates at a 7, which is on par with quartz. Generally speaking, dental porcelain is the industry standard for life-like, durable, and aesthetically pleasing dental work materials.

How to take care of porcelain veneers

1. Practice proper hygiene.

Though porcelain veneers do not decay, portions of the teeth can be exposed and at risk of decay.

Therefore, I recommend you brush twice a day.

I also highly recommend an electronic toothbrush to reach areas a traditional toothbrush often cannot reach because of the veneers.

I also recommend you floss at least once a day.

2. Avoid foods and drinks that stain your teeth.

Today’s porcelain veneers are mostly stain-resistant. The problem is the adhesive used to keep your dental veneers attached is not stain resistant.

Avoid drinks such as wine, coffee, and sodas.

I recommend using a straw when drinking beverages that are prone to stain.

3. Use a quality toothbrush and toothpaste.

Be sure when brushing your teeth to use a soft toothbrush. Hard-bristled toothbrushes will damage your dental veneers. Also, avoid toothpaste with harsh abrasives.

4. Don’t smoke.

Smoking is a bad habit. Break the habit. It will eventually cause your veneers to become discolored and stained; if you want teeth that look pristine, no smoking, or vaping.

5. Avoid clenching or grinding your teeth.

Grinding or clenching your teeth will eventually cause severe damage to your porcelain veneers and prematurely wear down the veneer.

If this is a habit, you have to be sure to mention it to your prosthodontist for a solution.

6. Get frequent dental checkups.

Keep regular scheduled dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings.

I recommend at least two dental exams a year. This will prolong the life of your dental veneers.

Not All Cosmetic Dentistry Specialists Are Created Equal

Unfortunately, this is not a rare circumstance.

We see patients on a consistent basis at Willow Pass Dental Care who have had less than spectacular results, many coming from well-known dental chains or “professionals.”

When it comes to your mouth and your health, you should not take chances. The following are steps to ensure you are dealing with a professional who has the experience and knows what he or she is doing.

Following are 9 steps I recommend for choosing the right cosmetic dentistry specialist:

1. Does the Prosthodontist have the knowledge, skills and experience with cosmetic dentistry?

One of the easiest ways to determine if a prosthodontist is right for you is to do a simple check of their professional credentials.

Do the prosthodontists have the proper credentials, designations, certifications, awards, accreditations, and up-to-date training to show that they are the best at giving you the care you deserve?

2. Does the Prosthodontist and office have a good reputation?

I recommend you do a Google search and see what people are saying. Check ratings and reviews. Look at sites such as Pissed Consumer, DemandForce, Yelp, Facebook, and of course Google.

Sure, you can always find a critical or bad review from time to time. It’s when you find a lot of them that you need to take notice.

3. Meet the prosthodontist and team of specialists.

It is hard to fathom but some patients never meet the team. I recommend you take the time to meet the team prior to committing to a dental office or prosthodontist. Make sure you are comfortable and that you’ve done your research about the office as well as the doctor.

4. Discuss with the prosthodontist specific case studies or success stories you read or viewed online.

Ask which case study best resembles your situation and what are the challenges he or she expects. If there are challenges that are expected have the prosthodontist explain the treatment strategy and what the risks are.

5. Ask for a tour of the office.

Know where the fitting will take place and what it looks like.

Observe the equipment in the room. Is it clean and comfortable?

Are the facilities updated or outdated?

Ask if the equipment used is the latest dental in dental technology. If so, they should have equipment such as a 3D scanner and at least one CAD/CAM machine and milling unit for designing your veneers.

This is important to know and can save you money and lots of time.

6. Cosmetic dentistry pricing should be transparent

You should not have to experience any hard sell. The pricing for dental veneers should be easy to compute based on these factors.

If you find it hard to determine what quality you are paying for and what your price includes, you should leave.

7. Local vs. Dental Chains

I believe being locally owned and operated like Willow Pass Dental Care brings us much closer to our patients. We are involved and part of the community.

This also results in a higher retention of patients versus dental chains who tend to focus on volume rather than providing ongoing dental care. Many dental chains offering cosmetic dentistry are less skilled and experienced and assemble a dental team based on the cheapest price rather than providing the best in talent, experience, and skill.

When it comes to your smile, including your mouth and teeth, it is best to invest in a doctor with the experience,  knowledge, and skills to produce truly successful results.