How Long You Can Expect Your Veneers To Last

We’d all like to have a smile with bright, white teeth that aren’t broken or misshapen. Sadly, this isn’t the case for everyone. Whether due to an accident or simply the way that the teeth came in, some people don’t have the perfect looking teeth that they want. If you don’t like the way a tooth looks, or if it is at risk for further damage, you may want to consider having a dental (porcelain or composite) veneer placed.

What Dental Veneers Are

Dental veneers are dental prosthetics that replace a portion of a damaged tooth. While they are placed on the crown of a tooth, they don’t replace the entire crown. Instead, they replace and repair the visible portion of the tooth.

Why Veneers?

People take a lot of pride in their smile. If a tooth becomes damaged, though, they may be less likely to smile as often, and with the same amount of pride that they did before. Dental veneers help to improve the appearance of a tooth that has been cracked, chipped, broken or otherwise damaged.

Having a dental veneer placed may also be important for more practical reasons. A damaged tooth that is not repaired may become more damaged, leading to more severe measures being taken. If the damage becomes too severe, the only option may be an extraction. Damaged teeth may also make a patient more susceptible to oral health issues, like tooth decay or infection.

Veneers help to maintain the integrity of a tooth, while also giving the appearance of a natural tooth. They can be made to fit the look and shade of the surrounding teeth—allowing them to seamlessly fit the rest of a patient’s smile.

The Placement Process

The placement process of a porcelain veneer takes multiple steps—the first of which being a consultation with a dentist. There, the dentist can take a look at the tooth that is being repaired and determine the best repair option. If they decide on a veneer, they may offer a couple of different options—one of which being porcelain. Once porcelain has been selected, the patient will have their tooth reshaped to allow for the placement of the veneer. The dentist will make an impression of the reshaped tooth and will make sure to match the shade of the replacement with the patient’s natural tooth and surrounding teeth. The imprint will be sent to a lab, where the porcelain veneer will be fabricated. Once the veneer is sent back to the dentist, they can check to make sure it fits the tooth of the patient. They can then finish the placement process.

How Long Do They Last?

How long a veneer lasts often depends on the materials that are used. While composite veneers will generally only last three to five years, porcelain veneers often last around ten to fifteen. This makes them an ideal option.

Set up an appointment with a cosmetic dentist to see whether or not you are a good candidate for the placement of a porcelain veneer.

More Information About Porcelain Veneers : How Much Do Veneers Cost?