San Francisco and Marin CA
Patients often come to our office looking for a quick way to fix their crooked, gapped, or uneven teeth. Cosmetic dentistry allows our popular dentist at Glen Park Dental the ability to fabricate a confident new smile in as little as a couple of weeks, depending on the treatments you opt for. But many patients who prepare to invest in their smile want to know how long their cosmetic dental treatment will last. So today on the blog, our expert cosmetic dentists at Glen Park Dental discuss a reasonable lifespan for veneers.
What are porcelain veneers?
Veneers are very thin custom restorations that are designed to fit over the front surface of your teeth. They are made from high-quality dental porcelain and the porcelain can be shaded various shades of white to match your existing teeth. Or, if you prefer, you can choose the whitest porcelain shade available for a dazzling smile makeover. The results are natural and veneers can even cover imperfect teeth, revealing a permanently brighter smile.
Getting veneers is a minimally invasive procedure, although our expert cosmetic dentists in Marin remove some of your dental enamel, about the width of a strand of hair, so that there is room for the veneers to adhere to your tooth without looking bulky.
How long do veneers last?
Veneers, like any other type of dental restoration, should last about a decade or longer. While the material is quite durable and can withstand normal chewing and biting while eating, you could still damage your veneer if you chew on things like pens, pencils, or your fingernails. Additionally, a facial injury could result in breaking a veneer or your underlying tooth. And in some cases, untreated bruxism that causes you to clench and grind your teeth while sleeping could damage the veneers.
However, these rare issues aside, paired with a good at-home oral hygiene regimen and routine dental visits, your veneers should last for many years, often a decade or longer. It is not uncommon for veneers or other porcelain restorations to last for 20 years or more!
If you decide to get veneers, you should plan on committing to daily oral hygiene habits like brushing twice a day and flossing daily to remove bacterial and plaque buildup that could compromise your oral health. Additionally, see the dentist twice a year or once every six months for a check up and cleaning. On these visits, our friendly dentists in Marin examine your oral health for any changes that might indicate a problem that requires treatment. That way, you can take care of the problem right away instead of waiting until you are in pain and risk losing the investment in your smile.
Can veneers be replaced?
Veneers can be replaced as long as the tooth structure remains intact and in good health. However, if you suffer an injury that results in a broken or avulsed tooth, the dentist may recommend other options to restore your smile.
If my veneers pops off, can I have it glued back on my tooth?
In some cases, we can recement the veneer to your tooth. However, this is done on a case-by-case situation and is entirely subject to the tooth’s condition as well as whether the veneer is still in good shape and undamaged. If you ever have a veneer that comes loose or pops off your tooth, do not attempt to put it back on yourself. Additionally, avoid eating on the affected tooth, which could damage it.
Get veneers in Marin, Oakland, and the Bay Area, California
If you’re an adult that wants to feel confident when you smile, take the leap to invest in yourself by opting for veneers. Our experienced cosmetic dentists at Glen Park Dental can design a gorgeous smile makeover for you or address specific concerns that you may have regarding your smile. To learn more or find out if veneers are right for you, contact Glen Park Dental by calling (415) 585-1500.
