A dental veneer is a thin, tooth-coloured covering placed over the front of teeth to improve their appearance. For people with chipped or discoloured teeth who want to regain their confidence, veneers are an excellent option since they don’t require extensive treatment. What many people don’t know about veneers, though, is how long they last. In this blog post, we will explore what longevity means and how it relates to your smile. In addition, we will detail how the longevity of veneers compares to other cosmetic treatments like tooth whitening and bonding.
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What Are Veneers?
Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry treatment that can improve the appearance of your natural teeth and make you feel more confident in social situations.
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain bonded over the front surface to improve your smile, hence the term “smile makeover”. Porcelain veneers can be used for both aesthetic reasons. They could also serve other purposes, such as repairing chipped tooth enamel or filling in gaps between teeth. This is why it’s popular among dental patients who want their smiles back!
Conventional veneers are made from thin sheets of durable material (usually porcelain or composite resin) applied on top of the teeth to cover up damaged areas or alter their appearance with colour treatments such as whitening discoloured teeth.
Learn More: What Are Veneers: Everything You Need To Know
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Depending on your dental care and oral hygiene, veneers usually have an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, maybe even longer. It depends on how well they take care of their oral health and what type of veneer and material is used. They also need routine dental checkups every six months because teeth can change over time, which may cause cracking or chipping that could compromise your beautiful smile.
The lifespan varies depending on both personal factors, like diet and hygiene habits. Still, it’s recommended to get checked up by dentists at least once every six months for any potential problems with tooth decay or cracks, since this affects your dental health and overall physical health.
Composite Resin Veneers
Composite resin materials are known to be an excellent alternative to porcelain veneers. They are less expensive but can offer several benefits too, such as less tooth enamel removal is only needed during application and damage like chips or cracks can be repaired.
Veneers made from a composite resin material may last for 4 to 8 years. When composite teeth veneers have reached the end of their lifespan, they need to be redone.
Porcelain Veneers
In dental veneers, porcelain is particularly popular because it offers a range of benefits. Porcelain is thin and translucent, which means it produces a very natural result.
They are thin yet durable ceramic coverings that can be attached to the tooth surface to make them look better. This procedure is an effective way to achieve the smile of your dreams. It is a long-term investment that can last from 7 to 15 years.
The lifespan of porcelain veneers largely depends on how a patient takes care of them once they have been placed. For example, if the underlying natural teeth start to decay due to poor oral hygiene, this can affect the aesthetics of the veneers.
How Often Do Veneers Need to Be Replaced?
It’s no secret that traditional veneers are a quick and easy way to achieve the appearance of teeth you want; that is why they have become one of the most popular dental treatments in the cosmetic industry. While dental veneers can be almost as strong as tooth enamel, if you don’t manage them with proper care, then it’s just a matter of time before they chip or break.
Veneers are not invincible and can crack or chip over time. They may also move forward, exposing a gap between your gum line and the veneer. Veneers can break if there is insufficient enamel on the teeth for them to adhere correctly, and gum recession causes tooth loss.
At Burwood Dental Care, our dental veneers can last up to 10 to 15 years when properly taken care of, and it involves professional cleanings and checkups. Once they need to be redone, your dentist will polish and replace them.
There are five signs that you need to replace your veneers:
- Your gums are pulling away from your teeth.
- Your veneers are damaged or cracked.
- You feel uncomfortable wearing them.
- Your underlying teeth are decayed
- Your veneers are stained or dark.
Veneers’ Longevity vs Alternative
How Long Do Dental Crowns Last?
A dental crown has a lifespan of five to 15 years but can be extended or shortened based on several factors. The time will depend on how well you protect the tooth and take care of it by following good oral hygiene practices.
How Long Does Teeth Whitening Last?
Whitening your teeth can make a huge difference in how confident you feel. It lasts from six months to three years, depending on the type of whitening treatment used.
How Long Does Teeth Bonding Last?
On average, dental composite bonding lasts 5 to 8 years. They are not as hard as natural teeth and can chip or wear out more easily than your natural teeth. The lifespan will depend on chewing or eating habits.
How to Take Care of Veneers
Soft Toothbrush and Floss
It would be best to brush your teeth using a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to be gentle on veneers, as brushing too hard can cause damage. Brushing twice a day can prevent gum disease and tooth decay. Cleaning them is essential because cavities can form behind the veneer that threatens your real teeth and shorten the lifespan of veneers. Flossing will also prevent food from getting stuck in between your teeth, leading to bacteria buildup.
Avoid Grinding
If you have a habit of grinding or clenching your teeth (especially when you’re sleeping), the dentist may recommend a bite guard to wear during the night to avoid excessive pressure between your teeth.
Wear Oral Protection
If you are planning on playing a contact sport, then please wear a mouthguard. An impact on the face can easily break or chip your veneers, so it’s worth protecting your teeth before the game starts.
Avoid Biting on Hard Surfaces
Never use your teeth, especially if you are wearing veneers, to open packages or loosen knots, as this could damage the veneers.
Maintain Good Oral Hygiene
It is a good idea to invest in porcelain veneers because of their lifespan and makeover potential, but this depends mostly on how well you maintain your dental hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day and rinsing your mouth is essential to remove plaque buildup. This prevents you from getting gum disease and cavities, which could lead to tooth decay. Cleaning our mouths is important not only so we don’t end up with stains, but also due to the risk of dental problems.
Frequent dental checkups
Speaking of maintaining good oral hygiene, visits to your dentist are worth it. A regular check-and-clean session is highly recommended to remove plaque buildup that regular toothbrushes can not remove. The dentist can also observe any potential damage to your veneers.
Avoid Food & Drink that Can Stain Your Veneers
A common type of dental veneer is based on porcelain. Porcelain is stain-resistant, but the bonding agent glued to the tooth structure can be disfigured by staining from various sources. These include soda, coffee, red wine, tomatoes, and soy sauce that can lead to discolouration.
Learn More: The Best Way to Take Care of Your Dental Veneers
Final Thoughts
We all want to protect our teeth, so it’s essential that we are aware of the ways in which they can be damaged. Like your natural teeth, a veneer can get stained if exposed to foods and beverages such as coffee, tea, or red wine. They also have limits. Thus, it would be best to avoid chewing on hard things and food such as ice cubes. In addition, it is recommended to maintain healthy dental hygiene and frequent visits to your dentist to monitor your teeth and mouth.
We hope that you find our blog post helpful in understanding how long dental veneers last! If you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry, don’t hesitate to contact Burwood Dental Care today by calling (03) 9834 3344.