Various cosmetic dental problems can be addressed with dental veneers. Here, our Barrie dentists explain what veneers are and the factors 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.
The Lifespan of Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are not considered a permanent procedure because you will most likely have to replace them at some point. But, if you take care of them properly, porcelain veneers could have a fairly long lifespan (an average of 15 years), and depending on some elements, they could last 20 years or more.
Once your veneers have been applied, an excellent oral hygiene routine will become even more essential. The reason for this is that the longevity of your veneers relies on how well you treat them. Patients who maintain good oral hygiene (brushing and flossing daily) at home and who visit the dentist regularly for professional dental exams and cleanings are more likely to see their veneers last longer.
Longevity will also be impacted by whether any oral health problems are corrected. Bite problems, biting hard objects, grinding, and clenching can put excessive pressure on your teeth, and therefore your veneers.
Why Porcelain Veneers Have to be Replaced
While porcelain is durable, your veneers can still debond, decay, fracture, and chip with time. They might also have to be replaced if your gums start to recede, as this may result in your veneers not fitting properly anymore.
Taking Care of Your Dental Veneers
As we stated earlier, maintaining great oral health care practices is the best thing you can do to keep your veneers in optimal shape. Below we have listed some other things you can do to ensure your dental veneers last as long as possible:
Wear a mouth guard while participating in contact sports
Trauma to the mouth (such as a run-in with another person or object) can fracture your dental veneers or make them fall off. This is why it’s important to wear a mouthguard to protect your restorations if you play contact sports.
Avoid eating hard or sticky foods and using your teeth as tools
While your dental veneers will stand up to everyday chewing, don’t get into the bait of chewing ice or using them to rip open packages, as this increases the risk of chipping, loosening or breaking them.
Visit your dentist regularly for cleanings and exams
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.
Maintain proper oral hygiene habits
As always, you should be brushing your teeth for two minutes two times a day, and flossing daily. One of the most common reasons why veneers fail is tooth decay.
Are porcelain veneers right for me?
While dental veneers can address various aesthetic worries, they aren't suitable for every dental issue - or every person. Sometimes, other restorations like teeth whitening, dental bonding, dental crowns, or orthodontics could be a more appropriate option.