Reasons for Porcelain Veneers Replacement
If you want your smile to look its very best, you have a number of options to consider. There are various methods out there for repairing tooth damage, improving dental alignment, and brightening the color of a smile. There's even a treatment option that can can address all of these matters with surprising effectiveness. This very popular cosmetic dentistry solution is called porcelain veneers.
We'd like to take this opportunity right now to consider the basics of porcelain veneers with a special focus on the replacement and repair of them.
About Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of dental ceramic that are designed to mask cosmetic imperfections in your smile. With porcelain veneers in place, a smile looks completely natural. This is thanks in large part to the semi-translucent material that is used to craft the veneers, allowing light to pass through them just as it would your natural tooth structure.
Ideal Candidates for Porcelain Veneers
The best candidates for porcelain veneers are people who suffer from the following aesthetic flaws:
- Chipped teeth
- Cracked teeth
- Stained teeth
- Tooth gaps
- Tooth misalignment
We should note that porcelain veneers are for aesthetic dental problems only. Other dental health treatments will be required for serious problems with chips, cracks, and malocclusion.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
In general, porcelain veneers tend to last between 10 to 15 years, though with good care, they can last 20 years or more. You see, there are many different things that will cause damage to porcelain veneers. Some examples are listed below.
Tooth / Mouth Injury and Porcelain Veneers Damage
Blows to the head and face (the mouth in particular) can result in major damage to the teeth as well as the porcelain veneers themselves. This is a common reason that porcelain veneers need replacement or repair, especially among people who are involved in contact sports or combat sports.
Tooth Decay Around the Porcelain Veneers
Another common reason for repair and replacement of porcelain veneers involves tooth decay around the veneer itself. Bacteria and plaque will still affect natural tooth structure, and the only way for a dentist to fix this problem should it affect the area around the veneer is to remove the veneer and rebuild the tooth structure.
General Wear and Tear of Porcelain Veneers
Even if you take good care of your porcelain veneers, the natural wear and tear on your teeth with lead to gradual damage over time. Even people who brush and floss after every meal will eventually experience a certain degree of wear on their porcelain veneers simply from chewing and biting as normal.
Basic Tips for Porcelain Veneer Care
In order to prolong the life of your porcelain veneers and prevent the need for early replacement and repair, we recommend the following:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Floss your teeth at least every night
- Wear mouth and/or face protection when applicable
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products
- Chew carefully and slowly
- Visit your dentist twice a year for regular exams
Learn More About Porcelain Veneers
For more information about porcelain veneers as well as your many other options out there for smile enhancement and aesthetic rejuvenation, be sure to contact our Bloomington, IL cosmetic dentistry center today. We look forward to meeting you in person and discussing all of these matters with you in much greater detail.