Studies confirm that porcelain veneers can last 10-20 years if properly cared for, which makes them a good investment for a great smile. However, what does “proper care” mean?
Taking care of your porcelain veneers is actually quite simple.
Before You Get Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers can be used to correct many cosmetic problems with your smile. Unfortunately, sometimes those very problems you want to correct may indicate conditions that can shorten the life of your veneers. For example, if you have worn, chipped, or cracked front teeth, it can indicate that your bite puts excessive stress on your front teeth, which can damage your veneers as much as it did your natural teeth. To make sure your veneers won’t be prematurely worn or damaged, talk to a neuromuscular dentist about your bite before you have them placed.
Another problem that porcelain veneers are used to correct is when you have a tooth that has darkened because the pulp inside has died. Porcelain veneers work well to conceal the discoloration, but they may not last as long on a nonvital tooth.
Basic Maintenance and Oral Hygiene
Cleaning your veneers is the same as caring for your natural teeth. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss every day. You might want to floss first because that will allow toothpaste to get between your teeth and provide additional protection at the margins of your veneers.
Sometimes your dentist may recommend that you go for four hygiene visits a year instead of two. Although the veneers themselves can’t decay, if you get decay behind the veneers, it may be harder to restore. Whether preventing decay means getting four hygiene visits a year or not depends on your oral health history. However often you go, make sure to remind your hygienist of your veneers so they use an appropriate cleaner.
Avoiding Damage
Porcelain veneers are made of an advanced ceramic that makes them more durable than the porcelain you have experience with, such as plates or tiny figurines. However, they are still breakable by anything that might have broken your natural teeth, so follow some commonsense guidelines to keep your veneers intact. Don’t use your teeth as tools, such as a bottle opener, nutcracker, or pliers. And if you’re playing sports, use a dentist-manufactured mouthguard to protect your teeth from damage.
If you follow these guidelines, you will be happy with how long your porcelain veneers will last.
If you have more questions or want to talk to us about designing your new smile, please contact Dental Excellence of Blue Bell in Philadelphia today.
