How to Protect Your Porcelain Veneers from the Cold Weather?

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

They are thin, custom-made shells of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front surface of teeth to improve their appearance. Usually, porcelain veneers look and feel natural. They are a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment because they can transform damaged teeth without looking unnatural in just a few appointments. Further, they are highly durable and stain-resistant. With proper care, they can last for many years.

What Happens When Getting Oral Veneers?

The process typically involves several appointments with a dentist. During the first appointment, the dentist will prepare your teeth by removing a small amount of enamel from the front surface, creating space for the veneers. The dentist will then take impressions of your teeth to create a model of the desired smile. Afterward, temporary veneers will protect the remaining structure of the teeth, as permanent veneers are created in a dental laboratory.

On the second appointment, the permanent veneers will be ready for bonding onto the teeth using a special adhesive. The dentist will then shape and polish the veneers to ensure a natural-looking and comfortable fit.

Do Porcelain Veneers Pop Off Easily?

Generally, dental veneers are sturdy and durable oral applications for repairing and restoring teeth. When the procedure is done properly, you should not have many complications with your veneered teeth, particularly surrounding adhesion. However, some unique factors can put unnecessary pressure on your teeth, causing the porcelain laminates to pop off. This outcome significantly shortens the lifespan of your dental veneers.

How Long Should a Veneer Last?

Getting oral veneers is only the beginning of a transformed smile. What you do after treatment is crucial as it may impact their duration and optimal function. Usually, a porcelain veneer in Dorval, QC, lasts between 10 and 15 years. However, the veneers can last longer or incur damage very early on after treatment. A lot of this has to do with your dental care measures at home. The stakes are higher during the cold season, which can often impact veneer structure and health.

The Impact of Cold Weather on Porcelain Veneers

Although porcelain teeth have a special place in people’s hearts, they are not 100% tamper-proof. During the cold season, you must be more alert about your dental health in general, but keener if you have porcelain veneers. Some of the ways that cold weather can affect porcelain veneers are:

1. Cracking: When the temperature drops, the porcelain veneers contract due to the expansion and contraction of the material.

2. Discoloration: Porcelain veneers in Dorval, QC, are prone to discoloration in cold weather. When the temperature drops, the blood vessels in your teeth constrict, reducing the amount of blood flow. It can cause your teeth and veneers to appear darker or yellower in color.

3. Sensitivity: Cold weather can cause sensitivity in veneered teeth because the temperature contracts the material, putting pressure on the tooth and causing discomfort. Besides, the initial sizeable loss of enamel in preparing your teeth for veneers will already be causing some sensitivity, especially the first few days after treatment.

4. Shifting: Cold weather can also move porcelain teeth slightly by causing the bonding dental cement to contract, making them less secure.

​Tips for Preventing Damage to Porcelain Veneers in Cold Weather

During the cold season, you must be a bit more particular about caring for your mouth, especially when you have veneered teeth. Here are some tips for preventing damage to porcelain veneers in cold weather:

1. Wear a mouthguard: If you participate in outdoor winter sports like skiing, a mouthguard protects your teeth veneers from potential impact or falls.

2. Avoid biting hard objects: Hard items like ice, popcorn kernels, candy, or pens can cause your porcelain veneers to chip, crack, or break. The stakes are higher in cold weather when the veneers may be more vulnerable to breakage.

3. Maintain good oral hygiene: Brush twice every day, floss daily, and visit your dentist in Dorval, QC for regular checkups and cleanings.

4. Avoid extreme temperature changes: Rapid fluctuations, like moving from a warm house to the cold outdoors, can cause your porcelain veneers to expand and contract, potentially leading to damage. Minimize exposure to extreme temperature changes.

5. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush: Hard bristles can scratch or damage the surface of the veneers, so opt for a softer brush.

6. Treat teeth grinding: If you grind your teeth at night, talk to your dentist at Clinique Dentaire Dorval about treatment options to prevent teeth grinding.