Porcelain veneers are a great option for improving or restoring the healthy appearance of a smile, and many people in DC opt for porcelain veneers. The lifetime of porcelain veneers depends on how well the patient takes care of them and with the right maintenance and dental care, porcelain veneers can last for many years. Reasons that porcelain veneers sometimes require replacement include decay, damage or cosmetic flaws, but delaying that replacement is often within the power of the patient.

Expected veneers lifespan

It’s impossible to predict precisely how long porcelain veneers will last because every patient is different. Some patients require replacement within a few years while others can go 30+ years without a problem that requires replacement. The average lifespan for porcelain veneers before they require replacement is 10-15 years.

Practice good oral hygiene

To ensure the longevity of any dental restoration, it’s vital that patients practice good oral hygiene. Although porcelain veneers don’t get cavities, a cavity in the tooth beneath a veneer requires removal of the restoration so the dentist can treat the decay. The dental cement dentists in DC use to place veneers can recede with time and bacteria can grow in the small spaces between the tooth and the veneer. By practicing good oral hygiene including brushing and flossing over and around the veneer and using a mouth rinse, porcelain veneers can last for years.

Avoid oral damage

The main reason that patients require porcelain veneer replacement is damage. The damage can be a sudden, large break or just gradual wear, but it’s possible to avoid damage by avoiding the following:

• Sports trauma – Patients who play contact sports like hockey and football are at a higher risk of suffering oral trauma. Avoiding such trauma and damage to veneers requires wearing a mouthguard whenever playing.
• Grinding teeth – For people who grind their teeth in their sleep, using a night guard can prevent damage to porcelain veneers and natural teeth.
• Chewing on hard objects – Habits such as chewing on hard objects including ice, fingernails or pencils can damage porcelain veneers and natural teeth. Breaking these habits benefits oral health.

Discoloration issues

Porcelain resists stains, but patients still need to be aware of what causes tooth discoloration to ensure that their veneers maintain their bright appearance. Good oral hygiene helps prevent stains as does avoiding drinks such as wine or making sure to rinse after consumption. Another discoloration issue is when the natural teeth around the veneers fade in brightness, which means the veneers no longer match surrounding teeth. An in-office teeth whitening can restore natural teeth to their original brightness, so they match the veneers and is more affordable that replacing veneers.

If you’re wondering if porcelain veneers are right for you, contact Dupont Dental in DC and learn more about our cosmetic dentistry options, including porcelain veneers.

Porcelain veneers are a popular option for dental patients who want a subtle change or a complete smile makeover. Advances in cosmetic dentistry enable every patient to get the beautiful smile they’ve always wanted, and porcelain veneers represent a significant advance in cosmetic dentistry. Porcelain veneers repair uneven, unsightly, decayed or discolored teeth by covering them with a paper-thin porcelain material to produce stunning, natural-looking results.

Porcelain veneers correct various dental problems

Although there are different forms of veneers, porcelain veneers are a top choice because of their thinness and natural tooth appearance. Porcelain veneers can improve your smile and correct various dental problems including:

• Broken or chipped teeth
• Spaces between teeth
• Crooked teeth
• Stained or discolored teeth

The dentist bonds porcelain veneers permanently to your teeth and with proper oral hygiene and regular dental visits, they can last a lifetime. Made from durable translucent material and attached with a strong adhesive, porcelain veneers function and look like your natural teeth.

Porcelain veneer considerations

For the proper placement and success of porcelain veneers, you need good oral health and that means addressing any decay or other dental issues before proceeding with a cosmetic dentistry treatment. To place porcelain veneers, your dentist has to alter your natural teeth to fit them, and they’re not reversible. However, porcelain veneers are worth investigating for many patients because they offer numerous benefits including:

• Cover nearly any imperfection such as chips, stains, and gaps
• Long-lasting
• Stain-resistant
• Don’t change color with time
• Natural appearance
• Scratch resistant and durable

If you’re considering porcelain veneers, discuss the process with your dental professional. Before placing porcelain veneers, your dentist performs a thorough dental exam and explains the steps involved with veneers. There are several stages involved with porcelain veneers that include preparing your teeth, creating custom veneers and finally placing the veneers. The dental lab creates porcelain veneers that expertly match your other teeth to obtain a natural, beautiful appearance. Your dentist gives you advice on the long-term care of your porcelain veneers, and if teeth grinding is an issue, your dentist may recommend a night guard for you to prevent damaging the veneers.

The most important decision about porcelain veneers you have to make is choosing an experienced dentist to place them for great, lasting results. Dupont Dental offers several cosmetic dentistry services including porcelain veneers to restore, improve and maintain your beautiful smile. Contact us today to learn how we can give you the healthy, smile you’ve always wanted.