Should Dental Floss Get Caught On My Veneers?
Posted by writeradmin
I had porcelain veneers done. They did improve my smile, so I am happy with that. The one thing which has me nervous is that when I floss, It gets caught under a couple of my veneers. I called my dentist and he said it wasn’t anything to worry about because it is under my gum and no one will see it. While, of course I wouldn’t want anyone to see it, that isn’t what worries me. If my floss can get under it, then surely other things can get trapped under it too when I’m eating and drinking. Won’t that lead to decay?
Tabitha
Dear Tabitha,
I’m glad you wrote. It sounds like your veneers have a margin irregularity, like an overhang. This can happen if the impression taken of your teeth after they were prepped for the veneers did not accurately record the end of the preparation. Porcelain veneers are supposed to replicate the contours at the gumline that your original tooth had. If the impression wasn’t done properly than that makes it pretty much impossible for the lab tech to shape it properly.
As for that being nothing to worry about, I completely disagree with your dentist. In fact, you appear to be more astute than he is. Yes, things are going to get trapped under the veneers, making that area a breeding ground for bacteria. While decay is a risk, as you discerned, gum disease is an even bigger risk.
I would ask your dentist to replace the veneers where your floss is catching. If the only problem with the veneers were their appearance, you wouldn’t have any recourse, which in itself seems crazy to me. If you’re paying good money for a smile makeover, you should get one that you are proud of. But, that’s not how the system works.
In your case, though, you’ve got a functional issue, so you should have recourse even if he doesn’t want to. The way he did your veneers puts your oral health at risk.
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