Veneers are able to help with various aesthetic dental problems, but are they permanent? In this blog, our Revelstoke dentists discuss the importance of porcelain veneers and the elements that impact their longevity.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made slivers of tooth-coloured porcelain that your dentist bonds to the front of your teeth. They are bonded to your teeth with composite resin cement, creating a surface that looks and feels much like natural teeth do.
Veneers can help to change the perceived position, shape, or colour of your teeth, leaving you with a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
How Long Porcelain Dental Veneers Last
You will most likely need to replace your porcelain veneers eventually, so they aren't considered a permanent solution. But, if you care for them properly, your porcelain veneers could last a fair amount of time. Based on a handful of key elements, they may last a lot longer (20 years or more).
Once your veneers have been placed, it's essential to implement and maintain a good oral hygiene routine. How well you care for your veneers will determine their lifespan. Patients that maintain excellent oral hygiene (brushing and flossing every day) at home and those who attend regular dental exams and cleanings at their dentist's office have a better chance of having their veneers last longer.
How long your veneers last will also be affected by whether or not all oral health issues have been addressed. Bite problems, biting hard objects, grinding, and clenching can put excessive pressure on your teeth, and therefore your veneers.
Why Replace Your Porcelain Veneers
Though porcelain is very durable, porcelain veneers can chip, fracture, decay, or debond over time. You may also need to replace them if you experience gum recession, as this may cause the veneer to not fit correctly anymore.
How to Care For Your Dental Veneers
There are a few things you can do to make your veneers last as long as possible. As mentioned, continuing excellent oral health care practices is the best way to ensure your veneers stay in great condition. This can include:
Wear a mouthguard when participating in contact sports.
Trauma to the mouth (such as a run-in with another person or object) can cause dental veneers to fracture or fall off. This is why it’s important to wear a mouthguard to protect your restorations if you play contact sports.
Don't eat hard, sticky foods or use your teeth as tools.
Dental veneers are able to withstand daily chewing but, you should not develop a habit of chewing ice or using your teeth to tear open packages, because it puts you at a higher risk of breaking, chipping, or losing your veneers.
Visit your dentist regularly for appointments.
When you attend your regular dental exams, you not only allow your dentist the opportunity to give your teeth an essential deep clean, but they will also take the time to check the condition of your veneers and treat any problems early before they have a chance to fully develop.
Practice excellent oral hygiene.
This is a drill you should be familiar with - brush your teeth for two minutes two times a day, and floss once daily. It's not uncommon for dental veneers to fail as a result of tooth decay.
Are You a Candidate for Porcelain Veneers?
Though dental veneers can be used to address several aesthetic concerns, they are not the right treatment for every dental health issue - or every person. In some cases, other restorations such as dental crowns, dental bonding, teeth whitening, or orthodontics may be more effective treatment options.