Cosmetic dentistry covers treatments whose primary purpose is to change the appearance of the teeth, including dental veneers, dental implants, Invisalign and teeth whitening.
Cosmetic treatment does not end when you leave the practice. Restorations need looking after, and how they are cared for affects how long they last. The following is general guidance. Advice specific to your own treatment should come from your treating practitioner.
Protect restorations from damage
Veneers, crowns and implant-supported restorations are made from strong materials, but they can still chip, crack, wear or debond. Avoid biting hard objects such as ice, hard confectionery, nuts and pen caps, and do not use your teeth to open packaging.
Composite restorations chip and wear more readily than porcelain. Porcelain generally cannot be repaired when it fractures and usually needs replacing.
Manage grinding and clenching
If you grind or clench your teeth, tell your dentist. Bruxism is a common cause of failure in veneers and crowns, and a nightguard may be recommended to reduce the load on restorations.
Watch what causes staining
Composite restorations and the bonding margins of porcelain restorations can discolour over time. Limiting coffee, tea, red wine and tobacco helps. Acidic foods and drinks contribute to enamel wear on the natural teeth around restorations.
Note that whitening does not lighten crowns, veneers or fillings. If you are considering whitening, discuss the sequence with your cosmetic dentist Sydney, because existing restorations may no longer match afterwards.
Keep up routine dental care
Regular brushing, flossing and professional examinations matter more after cosmetic treatment, not less. The margin where a restoration meets the tooth is a site where decay can begin, and problems found early are generally simpler and cheaper to manage.
Routine examinations also allow the condition of restorations and the health of the gums to be monitored over time.
Understand what to expect over time
Cosmetic restorations have a finite lifespan and will need repair or replacement eventually. Following the guidance above may help them last longer, but no amount of care makes them permanent, and outcomes vary between individuals.
Gums recede over time, which can expose the margin of a veneer or crown and change how it looks. Natural teeth also darken with age while restorations do not change colour, so a match made today may become less exact over the years.
Speak to your practitioner
If you have had cosmetic treatment and something has changed, whether that is sensitivity, a rough edge, a chip or a change in how a restoration looks, arrange a review rather than waiting for your next routine appointment.
You can check any practitioner’s registration and qualifications on the Ahpra public register. To arrange an appointment with a cosmetic dentist in North Sydney, contact North Sydney Dentistry.