Veneer Longevity and Maintenance Tips

A person’s smile is a big part of making an excellent first impression on new acquaintances, potential employers, and more. If you’re looking for ways to achieve a picture-perfect smile, dental veneers could be an option for you.

Veneers are thin coverings applied on top of your teeth, providing a smooth, attractive surface. These dental solutions can also help correct certain problems like cracked, chipped, or undersized teeth. They can also help reinforce and restore damaged teeth back to perfection!

How Do Veneers Work?

Veneers are custom-made shells that adhere to your teeth, applied similarly to fake nails. These are great for people who need more extensive correction than a whitening procedure can provide. If your teeth are stained or cracked, mismatched in size, or damaged in some way over the years, you may be a good candidate for veneers.

If properly cared for, veneers can last for decades. However, their lifespan depends on its material and how you maintain them over the years.

Porcelain Veneers

Most doctors recommend veneers made of porcelain. It’s a thin, translucent material that can easily be colored to match your natural teeth. Your dentist will remove a thin layer of enamel, take an impression of your teeth, and send the mold to a lab that will fabricate your veneers. On your next appointment, the veneers will be bonded to your teeth using cement.

Porcelain laminate veneers can last from 10 to 12 years—but there’s anecdotal research that they can last up to two decades. They are also much more stain-resistant than composite veneers.

Unfortunately, when damaged, porcelain veneers cannot be repaired—they can only be replaced.

Composite Veneers

Composite veneers are made from a mix of resin (plastic) and glass that’s applied to your teeth one layer at a time. They are generally more affordable than porcelain veneers, and no enamel is removed from your natural teeth before application.

Composite resin veneers generally last between 4 – 8 years. Unlike porcelain veneers, these can be repaired if they’re chipped or cracked. The application can be done in just one visit—your dentist will color match the resin, apply it to your teeth, then cure and polish it right after. 

Care and Maintenance of Dental Veneers

Dental veneers don’t require any particular products or techniques to maintain. If you already have good oral hygiene habits (brushing and flossing after every meal, using mouthwash once a day), you don’t have to make any significant adjustments. Just check with your dentist to confirm that you’re using a non-abrasive toothpaste—but otherwise, you should continue what you have been doing.

Good dental health habits include going in for thorough cleanings and check-ups every six months. Your dentist will be able to keep track of how your veneers are looking, along with your overall dental health.

If you grind your teeth, your dentist will likely prescribe a bite guard to protect your veneers from the force of your biting. If you play a contact sport, be vigilant about wearing a mouth guard to avoid chipped or broken veneers. Aside from those, remember to avoid chewing on hard objects and food, such as ice, hard candy, fingernails, or pens and pencils. Veneers are durable—but they are not as strong as your natural teeth. Furthermore, it’s best to limit intake of teeth-staining substances, such as coffee, soda, and wine, as these can cause discoloration of your veneers.

Conclusion

Dental veneers can correct stained, chipped, and damaged teeth to give you a great smile. The lifespan of your veneers depends on the type you choose and how you take care of them. As long as you avoid biting down on hard candies or ice, and you brush your teeth after every meal, your beautiful smile will last for many, many years!

Are you looking for the best dentist in Murfreesboro, TN? Cosmetic Dentistry of Murfreesboro has been the trusted choice for dental health care in our community since 1992. Our team’s family-friendly, patient-focused approach delivers quality results that keep your teeth healthy and beautiful. Schedule an appointment with us today!