Everyone deserves to have a smile that sparkles and that they feel confident in. If you are currently unsatisfied with the appearance of your teeth, you may be a good candidate for porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are most commonly used to correct uneven bites, staining, gaps, and/or chipping. In addition to being a safe and effective method for correcting these issues, porcelain veneers also offer a solution that can last up to ten years or more, provided they are well taken care of.
To learn more about the porcelain veneer process and what steps you can take to prolong their lifespan, please refer to the following.
Are Porcelain Veneers Permanent?
While porcelain veneers are a very durable treatment option for patients who have teeth that are chipped, yellowed, crooked, or misaligned, they are still prone to being damaged and will typically need to be replaced every ten years or longer, provided good oral hygiene habits are followed. While they may not be a permanent solution, porcelain veneers are still an incredibly popular cosmetic procedure, and one of the easiest ways to fix chips, stains, and gaps in your teeth, simply by bonding a thin shell to the front of your teeth.
How To Prolong the Lifespan of Your Veneers
Just as your natural teeth are susceptible to sustaining damage if not properly taken care of, porcelain veneers can also become damaged. In order to ensure your porcelain veneers last as long as possible, follow these simple guidelines:
* Avoid Biting Hard Surfaces: It is never a good idea to use your teeth to loosen knots or open packages, but engaging in these activities can be especially dangerous in causing damage to your porcelain veneer.
* Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Brushing and flossing your teeth twice daily, eating a healthy, balanced diet, avoiding tobacco, and scheduling regular cleanings/evaluations with your periodontist at least every six months are essential to prolonging your porcelain veneers and to maintaining good oral health.
* Stick to healthy foods: In order to avoid developing oral health issues, avoid or limit foods that are high in sugars and starches. To reduce your risk of staining your porcelain veneers, avoid foods and beverages that can cause staining, like blueberries, red wine, and coffee.
* Wear oral protection if you engage in high contact activities: Patients who regularly play high-impact sports should invest in a customized mouth guard to wear while they are playing to protect their porcelain veneer as well as their other teeth.
* Avoid grinding/seek treatment for bruxism: Grinding teeth can be caused by a number of factors, such as stress or anxiety, but some patients even grind their teeth while they sleep (Bruxism), which places a great deal of strain on the surfaces of your teeth and can damage a porcelain veneer. If you have been diagnosed with bruxism, talk to your periodontist about what steps you can take to avoid causing damage to your porcelain veneer as well as the rest of your natural teeth.