Are Porcelain Veneers Safe for Pregnant Women?
Exercising extra caution is a trait among most pregnant women. It is natural for you to avoid anything that might harm you or your unborn baby. However, it shouldn’t prevent you from getting a smile makeover if required to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile using porcelain veneers.
Our cosmetic dentist in Westwood, MA, offers safe dental procedures like porcelain veneers to enhance the appearance of your teeth. Porcelain veneers are thin surfaces bonded to the existing tooth surface in the aesthetic zone of your mouth. Porcelain veneers are stain-resistant and incredibly durable. However, getting porcelain veneers requires more than two visits to your dentist.
Why Are You Considering Porcelain Veneers?
You may be considering veneers because your teeth are discolored, unresponsive to teeth whitening treatments, broken or damaged teeth, worn out enamel, uneven gaps, or irregularly shaped teeth. Therefore, while porcelain veneers are excellent to enhance the appearance of one or more teeth, you must undergo an evaluation with a cosmetic dentist to determine your eligibility for the treatment.
Before your procedure, the dentist will evaluate your oral health to determine your eligibility to receive porcelain veneers. They will discuss alternative treatments available if you are interested in them. However, if you intend to have porcelain veneers, the dentist schedules an appointment to prepare your teeth.
The Porcelain Veneer Procedure
It would be best to get clearance from your prenatal care provider before you start the porcelain veneer procedure. When preparing your teeth, the time depends on how many teeth you want to have fixed. If you experience discomfort while lying down, you can discuss alternative solutions with the dentist in Westwood, MA. The cosmetic dentist takes extra precautions when treating pregnant women. They try to make your experience comfortable by offering audiovisual distractions.
Porcelain veneers need tooth enamel removal past the dentin. The process is painful, but dentists give local anesthesia to ensure comfort. The tooth enamel removal procedure is irreversible, confirming that you must have porcelain veneers over your teeth even if you don’t want them later. Considering your situation, dentists provide appropriate levels of anesthesia without felypressin to ensure the chemical doesn’t constrict blood vessels.
After tooth enamel removal, the dentist selects a surface shade that blends perfectly with your natural teeth. An impression of your teeth is made for the dental laboratory to custom create your porcelain veneers. You receive temporary veneers over the prepared teeth for protection. Your permanent veneers should be ready in three weeks or so. The dentist removes the temporary surfaces during your second appointment and gives you a dental cleaning to ensure no bacteria remain trapped under the permanent veneers. Finally, the permanent surfaces are bonded to your teeth using special dental cement.
Besides being durable and stain-resistant, porcelain veneers are harmless, even for pregnant women. However, they are best done during the second trimester, when you might find it easier lying on your back than in the first or third trimester.
Porcelain Veneers after Care
Porcelain veneers are undoubtedly durable but are not resistant to damage. Therefore, you must schedule regular appointments with your dentist for comprehensive oral exams to ensure the durability of your surfaces. Brushing and flossing twice a day are recommended.
Porcelain veneers are irreparable and require replacements if you accidentally damage them. You must avoid biting or chewing complex objects such as pens, pencils, fingernails, and nuts. You must choose non-abrasive toothpaste for brushing and wear protective gear such as mouthguards if you are affected by bruxism. The measures help safeguard your porcelain veneers to ensure they remain on your teeth for their intended lifespan.
Most dental treatments besides elective therapies are safe during pregnancy. Elective therapies are better performed in the second trimester or delayed until after your child’s birth. If you must have porcelain veneers during pregnancy, Westwood Dental Group can help you enhance your smile.