With appropriate care, dental veneers can continue to cover up minor flaws in your teeth for over 10 years. A dentist may recommend veneers if you have an otherwise healthy tooth that is:
During the procedure, a minimal amount of tooth enamel is removed and a thin coating, often made of porcelain, is securely mounted in place. This repairs the damage and restores or improves the look and function of the affected teeth.
Veneers are popular because of their natural-looking results. They are placed individually on each tooth and are custom-made to ensure the proper shape, size, color, and fit. Porcelain options can be particularly realistic because of their light-reflecting properties.
In some situations, veneers can last for as long as 15 to 20 years. Their high durability is another one of the major appeals that draws many people to them for tooth repair and enhancement. On occasion, however, they need to be replaced. Your dentist may inform you when your veneers need replacing, but there are also signs you can recognize on your own that the time may have come.
Dental veneers are made to be very durable and strong. Nevertheless, they are subjected daily to bite forces that, according to Scientific American, can range between 100 and 300 pounds per square inch. Being subjected to so much pressure for more than a decade can take its toll. Even if the veneers do not come off completely, the wear and tear may affect the way they look.
Because most veneers require teeth to be prepared by removing some enamel, they are considered to be irreversible. This means that you cannot go without veneers once they have been taken off; you have to replace them. Fortunately, veneers are easily removed by a dentist and replaced as needed.
There are simple ways you can help your veneers stay in great shape. Do not smoke, limit alcohol consumption, and keep up with daily brushing and flossing. Avoid hard or crunchy foods and see your dentist every six months for cleanings and examinations. These habits can prolong the life of the treatment, but keep in mind that even with excellent home care and routine checkups, you should still expect to replace your veneers every 10 to 20 years.
When veneers start to wear out, there are signs that you may be able to feel as well as see. Pay attention to any notable changes in your veneers, such as the following.
There may be damage to the veneers that you can see, such as a crack or a chip. If you can see it, chances are that other people can too, which in itself may be reason enough to have them replaced. Even if the damage is not visible, you may be able to feel it with your tongue. Veneers are supposed to be smooth, so if you detect a rough feeling when you run your tongue along them, it may be a sign of irreparable damage warranting the replacement of your veneers.
Your veneers are created to extend to the gum line. If you start noticing space between the two, it means your gums have receded, which may occur due to gum disease or tooth decay. It is possible to replace the old veneers with new ones that meet the gum line again, but first, whatever underlying issue that caused the recession in the first place has to be resolved.
There are two reasons why veneers can look discolored. The porcelain from which they are made is stain resistant. However, abrasive oral hygiene products or normal wear and tear can cause scratches in which minuscule food particles may get stuck and cause discoloration. Even if your veneers are not cracked, the cement used to attach them to your teeth eventually darkens naturally over time. The discolored cement shows through the veneer, changing its appearance. This is unavoidable and irreversible; the only way to fix it is to have the veneers removed and replaced
While dental veneers are durable enough to last a decade or more, they eventually wear out and have to be replaced. You may be able to feel as well as see the signs that replacement is needed.
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