Veneers Life Span
Do veneers last forever? While the finished product looks as natural as your own teeth, dental veneers do have an average lifespan. How you treat them will ultimately determine long they’ll last.
Having the procedure done by a trained and experienced dentist goes a long way towards ensuring your veneers last a good long while.
West Hollywood Veneers Dentist is excited to offer dental veneers to our patients. Our dentists have years of experience in the field, which is what you when it comes to dental care.
Porcelain Veneers – What Are They and What Are They Used For?
Among the many options for beautifying your smile, dental veneers provide a natural look. Made from thin shells of porcelain, veneers are designed to fit overtop one or more teeth depending on your preferences. This option works especially well for improving the look of discolored, misshapen or chipped teeth. The process is customized for each tooth, so you walk out with a natural smile.
[See: How much Veneers Cost in Los Angeles ]
Do Veneers Last Forever?
Dental veneers have a natural lifespan just like any other cosmetic dental material. While they’re not intended to be a permanent fix, how you treat them can make a big difference in terms of how long they last.
Just like your natural teeth can chip or crack when biting down on hard food, such as hard candy, ice and peanut brittle so will veneers. It’s best to avoid eating hard foods whether or not you have veneers.
It’s uncommon to have problems with veneers since they’re made out of porcelain, a strong, durable material. While the average lifespan for veneers is 10 years, they can last for up to 20 years when properly fitted and cared for.
Things You Can Do to Make Your Dental Veneers Last
Schedule Regular Checkups with Your Dentist
Making it a point to schedule regular checkups with your dentist can go a long way towards prolonging the lifespan of veneers. Checkups should be done every six months to have your teeth thoroughly cleaned and examined. In this way, your dentist will be able to spot and correct potential problems before they cause trouble down the road.
Practice Good Oral Hygiene
When it comes to dental care, there’s no substitute for practicing good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth twice a day keeps veneer surfaces clean and white. Brushing also helps prevent gum disease, which can leave you with receding gums and expose the tops of your veneers. Combine brushing with daily flossing (preferably after each meal) to keep food particles from lodging in-between teeth. Lastly, always rinse with an antiseptic mouthwash at least once a day.
Bite Guards for Teeth Grinders
Also called bruxism, teeth-grinding can ruin most any form of dental work. If you tend to grind your teeth during the day or when you sleep, veneers may chip or crack, not to mention they probably won’t last as long as they should. Your dentist can fit you with a bite guard, which will lessen the amount of stress placed on your death while sleeping.
Only Use Your Teeth for Eating
Habits like using your teeth as scissors are bad for your teeth as well as your oral hygiene. Using your teeth to break the cellophane on a bag of pretzels or to loosen a knot can quickly chip and damage your veneers. Also, biting down on foreign objects introduces germs into your mouth, which is never good.
What Happens to Veneers After 10 Years?
Your dentist’s experience and training can also affect how long porcelain veneers last. You can follow all the guidelines for oral hygiene and still only get 10 years out of your veneers if your dentist does a sub-par job. This means what happens to veneers after 10 years depends on how well the initial procedure is done as well as how you care for them.
During the procedure, your dentist will have to file away some enamel from each tooth in order to properly fit the veneers. A dentist with ample training and experience will not only fit your veneers correctly but also spot potential problems, such as decay, which can cause veneers to separate from the tooth. When installed properly, porcelain veneers remain intact for the duration. The rest is up to you.
At West Hollywood Veneers Dentist, you can be sure you’ll be working with a dentist you can trust. We employ a “whole person” approach to dentistry, meaning we take your health as a whole into consideration when performing any procedure and customize each treatment to your specific needs. Call us today to schedule a consultation with one of our dentists.
