Pros and Cons of Dental Veneers

A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front surface of the tooth, for aesthetic purposes. It is like an artificial covering over a tooth surface.
Pros of wearing a veneer:

• Aesthetic
• Stain resistant
• Minimal tooth preparation
• Covers up imperfections in the tooth.

Cons:

• It is an irreversible procedure.
• Fragility of the veneer.
• Teeth sensitivity may occur after placing the veneer.
• Debonding of the veneer may occur when you bite hard food stuff.

Procedure of Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are customized shells made of porcelain  that fit over your teeth to improve their appearance and can be matched to adjacent teeth.

PROCEDURE:

• You can expect to make a preliminary office visit at which your dentist will take x-rays
  

  and examine your teeth to see if veneers is an option for you .
• The dentist trims about half a millimeter of the tooth enamel to prepare for the veneers. Then he or she takes an impression or mold of your teeth to send to a lab to prepare the veneers, which takes about one to two weeks. You will leave with temporary veneers.
• When the veneers are ready, your dentist checks the fit and color of the veneers and prepares the tooth (or teeth) by cleaning them thoroughly and then roughening the tooth surface to improve the adhesion of the veneer. The veneer is attached to the tooth with a special cement, then ultraviolet light is used to harden it.
• You should follow a regular oral hygiene routine of twice-daily tooth brushing and daily flossing to care for your veneers.

What Can I Do When Dental Tissue Is Injured?

A dental emergency can occur while you eat, play, work out, or take part in any number of normal daily tasks. “Soft tissue laceration” is dental trauma that includes harm to your lips, gums, tongue, or cheeks. The soft tissues in the mouth are delicate, sensitive and easily hurt. They also contain a lot of nerves. When they are hurt, it can be very painful.

In addition to cuts, injuries can occur to the roof of the mouth, the back of the throat, or to a tonsil. These types of wound can happen when someone falls with a pointed object – such as a popsicle stick or pencil – in their mouth. Kids are most at risk for this type of wound.

Due to all the blood vessels in the head and neck area, even a small puncture in the mouth may lead to a lot of blood loss.

Treating Soft Tissue Lacerations

Small mouth injuries may be treated at home. Clean them right away with warm water. As with all soft tissue wounds, the key points to keep in mind are to decrease the flow of blood, reduce pain, promote healing, and prevent infection.

A soft tissue laceration, including injury to the mouth or lips that results in a loose flap of tissue or an open wound, may require stitches. Some patients choose to have a small wound on the lips stitched for cosmetic reasons. A tear in the frenulum (the skin under the tongue between the lips and gums) most often heals on its own and does not need stitches.

If a foreign object, such as a bit of tooth or a wire from braces, is stuck in a wound, a doctor may need to remove it.

Preventing Soft Tissue Lacerations

The best way to avoid dental and soft tissue injuries is to wear a mouth guard for all rough play. A mouth guard should be worn at all times for team sports or sports where there is frequent contact with others or with hard objects.

Mouth guards protect the soft tissue in your mouth from your teeth. This is very important if you wear braces on your teeth. A mouth guard may even help to prevent or reduce or severity of concussions.

You need to seek emergency dental care if the injury is serious or if the bleeding doesn’t stop after 10 to 15 minutes. The dentist will wash the area, remove any dirt or debris, and see if your teeth are loose or damaged. Stitches might be needed to close the wound.

To connect to your nearest dentist in Calgary for any dental emergency click here.

Tips To Treat Mouth Sores (Canker or Aphthous Ulcer)

Mouth sores or mouth ulcers are small, painful lesions which usually appear on the inside of the cheeks, on the lips, on the tongue, and on gums. The first sign of the sore may be a tingling, burning sensation inside the mouth. They can occur either singly or in clusters. They are usually white or yellow in color, surrounded by red halos. Usually they heal within 7 to 10 days.

Common Causes of Mouth Sores:

• Nutritional deficiencies such as iron, vitamins etc.
• Poor dental hygiene
• Food allergies
• Stress
• Biting the cheek
• Infections
• Hormonal imbalance

Home Remedies for Mouth Sores:

• Apply ice on the mouth ulcers to help reduce the pain
• Rinse the mouth with warm water, salt water or a medicated mouthwash frequently
• Chew food slowly
• Not to chew and talk at the same time
• Have dentures fitted properly
• Apply a topical pain reliever
• Take oral painkillers
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Use a soft toothbrush and brush gently
• Avoid spicy, acidic, sour, and/or sharp foods which may aggravate the condition
• Avoid very hot foods or drinks
• Eat healthily or increase intake of vitamin B12, folic acid, and iron
• Learn to relax and find ways to relieve stress

Different products are available to provide relief in different ways. Gels help to relieve the pain, redness, and swelling associated with mouth ulcers. They may also contain ingredients to numb the pain. Mouthwashes help to prevent bacterial infections and reduce the redness and swelling of the ulcers. They also help to treat hard-to-reach ulcers and keep the mouth clean when brushing teeth becomes too painful. Pastes help to form a protective layer over the mouth ulcer, allowing it to heal and at the same time, relieves pain, redness, and swelling.
Sometimes, the sore may be a sign of a more serious medical condition, if you notice that the sores:

• Have lasted longer than three weeks
• Have not healed with treatment
• Are unusually large (more than 1cm in diameter)
• Occur very frequently
• Bleed or are painless
• High fever with appearance of mouth ulcer

You should consult your nearest dentist in Calgary.