As a hearty laugh fills the air, and jokes fly amongst your friends, you worry about showing your teeth. While it seems everyone else has no problem showing off their pearly whites, you choose to chuckle here and there with a closed smile and hope no one notices the anxiety you’re feeling. For many of our patients, this story is all too familiar, and when they walk through our doors, they’re looking for a way to transform their smile into one they can feel confident about. For those that settle on dental veneer treatment, questions like, “Are veneers permanent,” “How long do they last for,” and “What do I need to know about their longevity,” often come up. If you’re considering dental veneers, read on to find the answers to these questions and more.
What Are Dental Veneers & How Can They Help You?
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells of either porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the front surface of your teeth. They are an effective and popular option amongst patients, as they create a more attractive smile by concealing cosmetic imperfections like chips, cracks, discoloration, gaps, and minor misalignment. They are highly durable and require the same maintenance as your regular teeth. Additionally, they can be designed to match the exact shape and size of your existing teeth for a natural look. If you’re looking to transform your smile with a dramatic impact in a relatively short period, dental veneers are an excellent solution.
What Are The Pros & Cons of Dental Veneer Treatment?
Pros
- Custom-made to match the features of your teeth, including brightness, shade, and shape.
- Can improve worn down, misaligned, uneven, and broken teeth for a more attractive smile.
- Doesn’t require special maintenance beyond good oral hygiene practices.
- Dental veneers look natural; no one can tell!
- Painless procedure that is relatively quick to get.
- Choice of material; porcelain or composite resin.
Cons
- Possibility of increased tooth sensitivity due to enamel loss.
- They can chip, crack, or break if you grind, bite, or eat hard objects.
- Dental decay can occur between them and your natural teeth.
- Irreversible.
How Long Do They Last: Are Veneers Permanent?
Are veneers permanent? No. They can be removed and replaced as needed if they get damaged or if they wear down over time. But, dental veneers are also considered irreversible because they require enamel to be removed from the teeth so that they can be bonded to the front surface. This means that you will always need a form of restoration to protect your teeth from decay and sensitivity. You can think of dental veneers as a long-term treatment that requires commitment to make them last.
The Average Longevity of Dental Veneers
The lifespan of your veneers depends on the material used to create them, and how well you take care of them. In choosing porcelain veneers, you can expect these to last upwards of 15-years with proper care, as they are durable and resistant to staining. Composite resin veneers can last up to 7-years, and are easier and cheaper to apply, but are more likely to wear down and become discolored quicker. As noted by the American Dental Association, most veneers last about 10-years before they need to be replaced.
5 Things You Should Know About Maintaining Veneer Longevity
If you are planning on getting dental veneers as a treatment, and want to maintain their lifespan for as long as possible, then you need to remain diligent in following a good oral hygiene routine. Here are 5 things you need to know about maintaining veneer longevity:
1. Prevent Plaque & Tartar Buildup: Good oral hygiene helps prevent plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth and gums. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on the teeth after eating and drinking. If plaque is not removed by brushing and flossing regularly, it can harden into tartar, which is a calcified deposit that can only be removed by a professional dental cleaning. Plaque and tartar can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath, which can compromise the health and appearance of the natural teeth and the dental veneers. Plaque and tartar can also erode the bonding material that holds the dental veneers to the teeth, causing them to loosen or fall off.
2. Avoid Foods & Beverages That Stain: Dental veneers are resistant to stains from food and beverages, but they are not immune to them. Over time, exposure to substances such as coffee, tea, wine, tobacco, or certain medications can cause the dental veneers to lose their brightness and luster. Good oral hygiene helps remove these substances from the surface of the dental veneers and prevent them from penetrating into the porous material. Additionally, good oral hygiene helps maintain the natural color of the surrounding teeth and gums, which can affect the overall appearance of the smile.
3. Prevent Infections From Taking Hold: Your dental veneers are bonded to your natural teeth, in such a way where a thin layer of enamel must be removed to create room for them. This process can make the teeth more sensitive and vulnerable to bacteria and inflammation. If you skip out on good oral hygiene practices, small cracks or gaps in the dental veneers can form, allowing bacteria to enter and sit between them and your natural teeth. This, in turn, can cause infections or abscesses that can damage the dental veneers or require their removal. Moreover, good oral hygiene helps prevent gum disease, which is a chronic inflammation of the gums that can cause them to recede or bleed. Gum disease can impact the stability and fit of the dental veneers, as well as their aesthetic appeal.
4. Hard Foods = Breakage – Avoid: Hard foods can cause veneers to chip, crack, or detach from your teeth. This can compromise the aesthetic and protective benefits of veneers and expose your natural teeth to decay and sensitivity. Some examples of hard foods to avoid are ice, nuts, popcorn kernels, hard candy, bones, and crusty bread. You should also avoid biting on non-food items such as pens, nails, or bottle caps.
5. Wear a Mouthguard to Protect Your Veneers: If you’re an avid sports player, or someone who routinely grinds their teeth at night (bruxism) or when you’re stressed, then you need a mouthguard to protect your veneers from wear and tear. Also, never use your teeth as a tool to open packaging or bite your nails, as these actions can also wear down your veneers and shorten their lifespan. Remember, veneers are not permanent and will degrade over time.
Even though veneers are not permanent, they can have a very long lifespan if you follow a good oral hygiene that includes brushing twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste, and flossing daily to remove plaque between the teeth and under the gum line. Add in antibacterial mouthwash to reduce bacteria growth and kills off any remaining, and book in with us for regular check-ups and professional cleanings.
Conclusion: Are Veneers Worth It?
Veneers can be an excellent cosmetic solution to enhance one’s smile by altering the color, shape, and size of your teeth. They provide a natural-looking and durable solution for chipped, discolored, or crooked teeth, allowing you to regain your self-confidence in your smile. With pros such as low maintenance and minimum enamel removal, they are a quick and painless option that can last you years. While the choice to get dental veneers is highly personal, here at Spring Haven Dental, we do believe that veneers can be a smart investment for patients looking to transform their smile. If you’d like to learn more about this treatment option, contact us, and our experienced dental team can walk you through and answer any questions you have, so that you can make an informed decision about your smile.
It’s Time to Receive The Smile You’ve Always Wanted
Don’t let the decision between front teeth crowns vs. veneers overwhelm you – contact us at (813) 448-6885 to learn more about each treatment. Your smile is our passion, and we’d be delighted to help you achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
