7 Issues to Discuss with an IOP Specialist about a Drinking Problem

When you have a loved one who has a drinking problem, it can take a toll on you, too. As the person that is in the same household, it may be difficult for you to handle or even tolerate the kind of behavior your loved one has when they are under the influence.

 

Speaking to a Specialist is Beneficial

While you will also be required to talk to your loved one regarding their drinking problem, you don’t have to do it alone. You can always seek the help of a professional that will help guide you all throughout the process. Depending on how you want to approach your loved one, a specialist can also be present during the intervention.

 

What to Discuss With Your Specialist

In most cases, the specialist you will consult with can also provide moral support apart from the guidance the former will give in handling your loved one’s drinking problem. Here are some of the things that you can discuss with them.

 

1. You worry about the quantity and frequency of your loved one’s alcohol intake.

 

Constant worrying about how much or how often your loved one drinks can be bad for your health. There will come a point when this worry will push you to talk to your loved one. However, without any guidance, you might say the wrong things or trigger a bad reaction from your loved one. In order to know how to manage your worries and to learn how to approach your loved one, discuss your woes with a specialist.

 

2. You are concerned about the money spent on alcohol.

 

Even if it’s not your money they are spending on alcohol, it doesn’t mean that you should care less. Regardless of whose money it is, spending it on alcohol every day can also lead to future financial problems. Ask your specialist about how to tackle financial concerns with your loved one. This is also the best opportunity to ask for tips on how to manage your loved one’s expenses especially if they are dependent on you.

 

3. You’ve gone through situations in life where you’ve been embarrassed or hurt by your loved one due to drinking.

 

Drunk people can hurt or offend anyone, but this doesn’t give them a free pass to hurt or embarrass you. When it reaches this point, consult with a professional on how to manage loved ones who cause a scene in public. It might also help to ask how to prevent your loved one from drinking outside of the house.

 

4. You get nervous about their behavior whenever they drink.

 

Speaking of public humiliation, these experiences might lead you to be anxious when you are around your loved one. Hence, it is imperative that you seek consultation both for you and your loved one’s sake. If you are already experiencing anxiety, then it’s a sign that you need to seek professional help as well.

 

5. You come up with excuses for how they behave when they drink.

 

This might not be easy to spot given that it comes naturally to a lot of people to be protective about their loved ones. But this habit is not healthy especially when it prevents you from confronting the real issues. An intensive outpatient Sugarland medical professional can help you avoid that habit and work on facing your loved one’s alcohol addiction.

 

6. You cover or bail your loved out when they’re drinking in order to spare them from responsibilities.

 

When you constantly cover for your loved ones when they don’t meet their responsibilities, not only do you give yourself more work, but you also don’t teach them to learn about responsibility and accountability. Over time, your loved one might constantly ask you to do things for them. Before things get worse, ask for help on how to handle your loved one’s responsibility issues.

 

7. You’ve thought about calling the police in an effort to admonish your loved one’s drinking.

 

Whether it’s from fear of your loved one or when they are already doing illegal things, the fact that you are close to calling the police is a sign that you need to seek help. Talking with a specialist can help you cope with the situation while finding ways to prevent having to call the authorities when your loved one goes out of control.

 

In many cases, a specialist is essential in guiding you to deal with your loved one’s alcohol addiction. He or she may also be present when you take an intervention or they can help in making the right rehabilitation program for your loved one.

 

The Difference Between Veneers and Lumineers

So you feel shy to smile and communicate in a social environment! Perhaps, your teeth are a bit slanted. Maybe, there are some gaps between your teeth. No matter the reason, any such dental flaw can hamper your looks and lower your confidence. However, you may fix this dental condition, thanks to veneers and Lumineers.

Each of these dental procedures can enhance your smile and fix many dental flaws. Yet, there is a difference between veneers and Lumineers. It’s best to get familiar with the differences to choose an ideal procedure matching your needs.

Veneers

 

Dental Veneers are usually made by two kinds of materials (Porcelain and Composites). However, porcelain veneers are a preferred option over composites. Porcelain veneers are comparatively durable and present a more natural-looking appearance. They conceal dental imperfections and let you enjoy a natural-looking smile like you’ve always wished for. Made out of a top quality ceramic, each veneer is tailor made to match the shade and shape of the surrounding teeth.

lumineer

Lumineers

 

Lumineers are an improvement over porcelain veneers. They’re made out of cerinate ceramics – a very thin material that mostly eliminates the need for injections or drilling without compromising the longevity of your restoration. Lumineers do the same function as porcelain veneers and offer the same benefits to the patient. However, they often require zero tooth preparation, thus conserving the entirety of your natural dentures.

The difference between Veneers and Lumineers

Both veneers and Lumineers are used to address similar dental issues. However, there are certain differences between them. Let’s understand the main differences between the two procedures.

Preparation

Veneers have been around for a long time and are designed to flatter the shape, size, color, and translucency of your teeth elegantly. To prep dentures for veneers, the tooth structure is drilled away so that there’s some room for the placement and bonding of veneers to the teeth. Due to the invasive nature of veneers, many patients feel uncomfortable and look for an alternative (Lumineers).

Also called no-prep veneers, Lumineers warrant minimal preparation of the tooth enamel. Lumineers are a lot thinner than veneers. In most cases, they’re less than half the size of the veneers. Even a modest shape of 0.3 mm of Lumineers is quite thinner compared to a 0.5 mm veneers. It’s this thinness that allows Lumineers to be placed and bonded with the teeth without peeling the enamel.

Light cleaning and sanding may be necessary in some cases to prep the teeth for placing thin Lumineers. No anesthesia or shots are given to the patient. Also, there’s minimal sensitivity or discomfort. Above all, the patient isn’t required to place acrylic temporaries between dental visits.

Application

Lumineers and veneers are applied to the dentures in much the same way. After customizing the shells for your teeth and smile, they’re temporarily put in place to review their appearance and placement. However, veneers are a bit thicker.

The dentist will remove some of the enamel by shaving the tooth to make room to apply the veneer so that it aligns well with the neighboring teeth. Once the tooth enamel is removed, it’s gone forever and for good. You’ll always need a cover for that tooth. In a nutshell, the application of veneers can’t be reversed.

Lumineers are fairly thin; their application is far easy. The dentist doesn’t have to shave your tooth enamel to apply the Lumineer in place. This means if you change your mind and want to remove the Lumineer, you can have it removed without any issue. Since no tooth enamel is removed, Lumineers are reversible.

Appearance

One particular area where veneers outdo Lumineers is teeth appearance. Natural dentures reflect light. Without light reflection, your smile will look fake. The customized, translucent nature of porcelain veneers aligns with your teeth reflection, giving you a bright, natural smile.

Lumineers, on the other hand, lack this translucency feature. While they’re very thin, they’re opaque. They just don’t line up with your teeth and fall flat when you smile. If someone identifies this point, they can figure out that your teeth have some sort of imperfections that you’re hiding.

Longevity

Veneers can last for about a decade with proper care and attention. However, most patients may need to replace them after a few years. Lumineers, on the other hand, can last for about 20 years. Although they’re very thin, Lumineers are highly durable compared to Veneers.

Cost

Veneers are highly cost-effective. On the flip side, Lumineers are comparatively expensive. However, the durability and long-lasting features of Lumineers recoup the high cost and make them a bit affordable.

Bottom line

Both veneers and Lumineers work fine for hiding dental imperfections. However, making the right choice depends on your dental condition, cost, and the difference between veneers and Lumineers. To decide which option will suit you, call a reputed dentist in your local area.

Who Are Veneers For?

Veneer Color Options

Who Exactly Are Veneers For?

Have you always wanted perfect looking teeth? Veneers are one of the best ways to really be able to get cosmetic improvements to your smile without having to go through extensive dental work. Below, we will be going over some of the different reasons you might be considering getting veneers.

Who Are Veneers Meant For?

 

Aesthetics

If you are someone that simply doesn’t like the look of your teeth, veneers could be a good option to consider. Because it involves having a thin layer of porcelain permanently bonded to your tooth, it can mask virtually any flaw that you might have.

Discoloring.

If you are dealing with discoloring for whatever reason, getting veneers is a suitable option because it will hide your permanently discolored teeth. Your teeth might be discolored because of antibiotic medication that you took as a kid or even because of having a root canal procedure done.

Crooked Teeth.

It can be as simple as having crooked teeth. If your teeth are crooked and you aren’t necessarily thrilled with the idea of having to go through the year (or longer) treatment of braces, it might be an option.

Dealing With Gaps.

If you are looking to fill in the gaps in your teeth, you can always get veneers because the veneers can be adhered to your teeth permanently to correct the gaps.

Chipped Teeth.

If you suffer from chipped teeth, you can always get veneers to correct the issue. Along with effectively masking chipped teeth, veneers can do a great job for those that might have worn down teeth from grinding their teeth at night.

Who Shouldn’t Get Veneers?

 

Those Not Looking For A Permanent Procedure.

While the procedure is purely cosmetic, it is something that is relatively serious considering the semi-permanent nature of it. Therefore, you will want to think about whether or not you want veneers because it is a long-lasting procedure with long term results.

You Have Tooth Decay

If you suffer from tooth decay, you will not be able to get veneers placed until the tooth is healthy. Any underlying issues that your teeth or specific tooth suffer from will only worsen over the long run. Because of this, your dentist will advise that you do not get veneers and that you correct any issues with compromised teeth prior to getting the procedure completed.

You Have Gum Disease

It is not advisable to get veneers if you suffer from gum disease for a couple of reasons. For one, your gums are generally going to receive if your gum disease worsens which can expose the veneer. Along with this, inflammation that you have in your gums is not going to allow for proper impressions to be made which can result in improper fitting veneers.

You Grind Your Teeth

If you are someone that suffers from Bruxism, you will want to avoid getting veneers. Unfortunately, the stress that you place on the veneers will eventually wear it down much quicker than it should. Therefore, you might end up getting chips or fractures in your veneers due to the repeated stress of grinding your teeth.

Overall, veneers are a great option for those that have healthy teeth and gums but who want to make cosmetic improvements to them. Whether its to correct a chipped tooth, worn down teeth, or something else. This procedure can be a suitable option for those that want aesthetic improvements to their smile. The procedure can also be done partially if you only have a few teeth that you want to place veneers on.

Are All Veneers Made from Porcelain?

If you’re thinking about getting veneers, you might be wondering what your options are. You’ll notice that a lot of people talk about porcelain veneers. Are all veneers made from porcelain, or are there other types of veneers available as well?

There Are Two Main Types of Veneers

Many veneers are made with porcelain, but it’s not unusual to see veneers that are made from a composite of materials. Typically, these veneers are manufactured right in the dentist’s office before they are applied to your teeth. This is an easy option for anyone that is interested in veneers.

While you’ll find veneers that are made using other materials as well, most options you’ll see will be either porcelain or composite. That’s why it’s a good idea to decide which of these two materials is the best choice for you. By comparing your two main options, you’ll be able to settle on the right choice.

Porcelain Veneers Are Long-Lasting

The biggest perk of porcelain veneers is how long they will last. These veneers don’t change color over time, and you can expect them to look perfect for many years down the road. You’ll be able to keep your smile looking great for a very long time.

Even though veneers like this can be an investment, you’ll likely find that they are worth the cost. If you want a perfect smile, and you don’t want to have to worry about getting new veneers in the future, then you’ll want to opt for a porcelain smile.

Composite Veneers Are the Faster and Cheaper Option

There are two huge advantages to composite veneers. Because, as mentioned above, they’re created in-office, the process is very fast. You should be able to get your new veneers in a single visit. In addition to that, composite veneers are typically far cheaper than porcelain veneers.

Veneers can be a huge investment, and they typically aren’t covered by dental insurance. Because of this, they can be pretty costly. If you’re struggling to afford veneers, you might find that opting for composite veneers puts better teeth in reach for you.

Porcelain Veneers Look Just Like Real Teeth

A lot of people have concerns about veneers giving them a fake-looking smile. No one wants people to be able to spot that they’ve changed their teeth. If you want veneers that look like the real deal, you’re going to want to choose porcelain as the material for your veneers.

Porcelain is the most popular material for veneers specifically because it looks so authentic. If you want your veneers to be a secret, then you’ll want to opt for porcelain teeth. A lot of people are shocked to learn that people with porcelain veneers don’t have naturally straight white teeth.

Not all veneers are made from porcelain, but you’ll find that porcelain veneers are one of the best options that you have. If you are interested in veneers, you should look more closely at veneers made with this material and decide if they’re the right choice for you.

The Average Cost of 4 Veneers without Dental Insurance

Veneers Explained

Veneers are a dental material placed over natural teeth to produce an even, beautiful smile. They are used to cover chips or cracks as well as discolorations which whitening products or lasers can no longer improve.

Placement on Teeth

The placement of the veneers is a pain-free experience. However, it can be a long process depending on how many teeth need to be covered. Dentists like Dr. Freddy Vallejo at https://www.wholelifedental.com/porcelain-veneers/ offer sedation for the procedure for patients who request it and also may offer videos for patients to watch to ease the passing of time.

The process is done over the course of two visits within six weeks of each visit. Before the first veneer treatment, there is a consultation visit with the dentist. During the consultation, the patient and dentist map out where the veneers will go to create a perfect smile.

When porcelain veneers are positioned onto the teeth the area surrounding them will be numbed. Sometimes the amount needed to produce the final effect is so little that anesthesia is not needed. The dentist uses a special tool to create a crevice in the top of all teeth getting the veneers before they are placed securely over the teeth.

The actual cost will vary based on several factors. They are not covered by insurance because they are considered cosmetic.

Fees vary based on what the dentist charges as well as the skill of the ceramist who makes the veneers. These fees can vary based on the location.

If you choose porcelain for your procedure understand that it is a more expensive material than a composite material. The number of teeth you need to be covered by the veneers also factors into the final cost.

Porcelain can cost between $900 and $2500 per tooth. Composites cost about $250 to $1500 per tooth. For four teeth, this would average $3600 to about $8000.

Although this is an expensive treatment it is one that should last between 10 and 15 years. Many dental facilities will offer payment plans or financing to offset the expense.