How Long You Can Expect your Veneers to Last
Before we address how long your new porcelain veneers are going to last let’s make sure you understand what they are and why you invested in them in the first place. It all started when you looked in the mirror and began to wonder what happened to your beautiful smile. An asset that is very difficult to put a price tag on. An asset that brings with it something called self-confidence. Maybe your teeth are stained, or cracked or chipped. One, or several. So, after a lengthy, detailed conversation with your dentist, you collaborate on a solution and chose dental veneers.
What exactly are porcelain veneers?
It is a very thin material that is placed right over your natural tooth. You can chose your shade of white for the veneer to be fabricated from so they will look totally natural once cemented to the teeth. The material is also very durable relatively speaking. The dentist preps the tooth by removing some of the enamel to make room. Then a dental lab literally makes the porcelain veneer. Once the veneer is cemented in place you look like you have a brand new tooth. The life expectancy of that porcelain veneer could be anywhere from 10 to 15 years. It really totally depends on you. Your good and bad habits. Your natural teeth are susceptible to aging. How did you take care of them?
How to Make your new Porcelain Veneers last
Your porcelain veneers are not maintenance free. Just like anything else you have purchased the life span depends on how you take care of that material possession and the wear and tear you put it through. The first thing to address is proper oral hygiene. The health industry strongly suggests you brush your teeth twice a day and floss once. Not quickly. Not in a hurry. Take your time and do a good job. This is no different with your new porcelain veneers. You’ll want to continue with twice a year examinations with your dentist. They will examine, do a professional cleaning and capture x-rays to make sure everything is healthy under your gums and soft tissue. If you play any kind of a contact sport, or even hit the gym, it might be wise to invest in a mouth guard. Something so simple and easy can avoid a cracked or chipped veneer. You will be advised to not use your teeth as tools. Do not use your teeth to open a bag instead of a pair of scissors. Or to loosen a knot. These might be some habits that will have to change. Consider not biting down on nuts or ice. All of these cautions play into the life expectancy of your porcelain veneers. You may find out you grind your teeth at night. Grinding and porcelain veneers don’t get along. If this is something you do please let your dentist know so you won’t immediately disappoint yourself. It’s all about your smile and appreciating the value it brings to your life.
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