Porcelain veneers should last between five and ten years, while resin veneers have a shorter life. Both types of veneers don't need special care other than regular flossing, brushing, and dental visits. Professional cleaning twice a year is strongly recommended to ensure that your dental veneers last for many years without breaking or discoloring. It's also worth noting that the process itself is often irreversible because, according to the American Dental Association, your dentist must remove a small amount of enamel from the tooth to accommodate the veneer (usually only one millimeter).
This means that if you need to remove a veneer, you'll need to replace it with a new one. When veneers were invented in 1928, they were mainly used to change the appearance of actors' teeth. As the decades went by, the process was refined and, in 1982, veneers could be permanently attached to teeth. These incredibly thin and realistic porcelain housings cover tooth imperfections, hiding chips, cracks, discoloration, irregularly shaped teeth and even gaps and crooked teeth.
In just two visits, your dentist can renew your smile with this incredible technology. Of course, there are a lot of pros and cons to consider when deciding whether or not to use veneers. A common concern is learning how to maintain veneers to ensure they last for many years. If you grind your teeth, be sure to tell your dentist if you don't already know.
Bruxism can put a lot of strain on your teeth, which could damage veneers (as well as natural teeth), so you may need to wear a bite guard, which is also known as an occlusal guard. The device will minimize the strain placed on your teeth while you sleep due to bruxism. Although most bruxers can still receive veneers, they will need to add this extra step to their routine as they learn to care for dental veneers. Although porcelain veneers resist staining, they can stain over time, just like your natural teeth.
Therefore, when teaching you how to care for dental veneers, your dentist may recommend that you avoid foods and beverages that cause stains. This includes coffee, red wine, tea, dark sodas, soy sauce, berries and more. Another common cause of discoloration is smoking, so if you smoke, consider quitting for the sake of your teeth in addition to the many health benefits involved. When you have porcelain veneers, you should make sure you use a soft toothbrush when brushing your teeth.
Hard-bristled toothbrushes can damage the enamel of veneers. Try to stay away from toothpastes that have harsh abrasives as they can also damage your veneers. Ask your dentist in Kirkland to recommend a good toothpaste to use on veneers. In addition, your dentist or dental hygienist will use professional equipment to polish your veneers and preserve their pearly white sheen.
The main purpose of this appointment is to give the dentist an opportunity to examine the placement of the veneers and the condition of the gum tissue and check if the gums have had a poor response to the veneers. Once the veneers have been applied, your dentist can give you a tutorial on how to properly brush and floss around your new dental hardware. Most porcelain veneers are stain resistant; however, the adhesive used to hold them together is not stain resistant. With just a few small adjustments to your daily dental routine and help from you and your dentist, your new veneers should last 10-15 years.
If you are considering getting dental veneers due to chips, gaps, stains or an uneven bite then these custom-made thin coatings are an excellent solution for restoring your smile. For help on how to care for dental veneers so that they last for many years without breaking or discoloring contact Duff Family Dental today if you live in or around Springfield Missouri.
