If you’re getting veneers to enhance your smile, you’re probably excited to see your final results. But before your permanent veneers are placed, your dentist will fit you with temporary veneers. While they may feel like just a stop along the way, temporary veneers serve several important purposes that protect your teeth and prepare you for the finished look.
Here’s more about this crucial part of the process.
Protecting Your Teeth After Preparation
To create space for veneers and ensure a natural fit, your dentist will carefully reshape the front surface of your teeth. This involves removing a small amount of enamel, though this is nothing you need to worry about and isn’t painful. Once this enamel is removed, your teeth are more vulnerable to sensitivity and damage until the final veneers are bonded in place.
Temporary veneers act as a protective covering during this time. They shield your prepared teeth from temperature sensitivity (such as discomfort from hot or cold foods), prevent damage from biting and chewing, and keep bacteria and debris from reaching the exposed surfaces.
Helping You Preview Your New Smile
One of the best benefits of temporary veneers is that they give you a “sneak peek” of what your permanent veneers will look like. While temporary veneers aren’t made from the same durable materials as the final ones, they are shaped and colored to resemble the look you’re aiming for. This is your opportunity to evaluate the size, shape, and overall appearance of your future smile.
If you notice something you’d like to change—whether it’s the length of a tooth or how your smile looks when you talk—let your dentist know. Adjustments can often be made before your permanent veneers are crafted, ensuring you’re thrilled with the final result.
Maintaining Comfort and Function
Without temporary veneers, eating, speaking, and smiling during the waiting period could be uncomfortable. Temporary veneers help you chew more comfortably and prevent the rough edges of prepared teeth from irritating your cheeks or lips. They also help preserve your natural tooth alignment and spacing while you wait for your custom veneers to be fabricated.
It’s important to treat your temporary veneers with care. Since they are not as strong as permanent veneers, avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods that could dislodge or damage them.
What to Expect While Wearing Temporary Veneers
While temporary veneers provide many benefits, it’s normal for them to feel a little different than your final veneers will. They may feel slightly bulkier or less smooth, as they are designed for short-term use. You might also notice some minor sensitivity to very hot or cold foods, but this should be manageable.
By wearing your temporary veneers as instructed, you’re taking an important step toward achieving the smile of your dreams. Temporary veneers are a valuable tool in making sure your final smile is just right.
About the Practice
At Coats Dental Group of Longmont, we are proud to offer comprehensive, patient-centered dental care to individuals and families in Longmont, CO. Dr. Brian Coats combines advanced techniques with a gentle, personalized approach to help patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles. Whether you’re seeking cosmetic improvements, chipped tooth repair, or preventive care, our team is dedicated to your comfort and satisfaction.
Call us at (303) 776-4090 or request an appointment online.