Nothing lasts forever. Even natural teeth gradually wear down. However, when fitted correctly and cared for well, porcelain veneers can last for around ten years and often longer. Depending on a person’s age, they could potentially last their life when they have dental veneers applied.
We’re proud to offer our patients natural-looking dental veneers to help them achieve a smile they can be proud of. Dental veneers are one of our most popular cosmetic dentistry procedures. Veneers are wafer-thin shells made from tooth-coloured material covering the teeth’ front and sides to conceal imperfections, close small gaps, and create a beautiful, straight-looking, even smile.
One of the most common questions we get asked is, “Do veneers last forever?”. While we cannot say with any accuracy how long your dental veneers will last, all veneers at Sydney Laser Dental Care are created with longevity in mind.
In other words, when we create dental veneers, we aim to give them the best possible chance of survival and long-lasting use.
How do we do this?
Cosmetic dentistry is often elective. This means that a person chooses to have porcelain veneers instead of needing them. Cosmetic dentistry is all about improving aesthetics. As such, it’s essential that you fully understand its implications and its limitations.
This is discussed in a complimentary consultation with our highly qualified dentists to give you a better idea and understanding of the possibilities. Our dentist will perform a comprehensive assessment and assess your bite to ensure you are a candidate for porcelain veneers.
An assessment is essential to enable us to create a customised treatment plan that is compatible with your mouth and your circumstances. It’s also vital to ensure the longevity of the treatment. Our dentist needs to understand the type of foundation your teeth have and the way your jaws work with each other. (A stable bite can make or break a successful dental veneers case). Armed with this knowledge, we can ascertain the ‘spaces’ where we can add veneers without intruding too much on the normal functioning of your teeth.
Having confirmed their suitability for this popular cosmetic dentistry procedure, patients can be assured that we use the best materials, techniques, systems and highly experienced clinicians when we commence treatment.
So, to reiterate: While the answer to the question “Do veneers last forever” is negative, we work closely with patients to ensure their veneers last a long time.
What’s the procedure for porcelain veneers?
At our dental clinic, patients can sit and wait while we create their porcelain veneers using CEREC technology – meaning their dental veneers are designed, crafted and fitted in a single dental appointment. Or, we can send their impressions to the dental lab.
Whether patients opt for CEREC or prefer to wait for their porcelain veneers to come back from the lab, the teeth are prepared in the same way. Tooth preparation involves removing a thin sliver of enamel from the front of the teeth to accommodate the veneers and help improve adhesion. The porcelain veneers are tried on for fit and colour, and the dentist will make any minor adjustments before bonding them in place.
Are veneers permanent?
Veneers are considered permanent because once tooth enamel has been removed, it can’t grow back. In other words, the process is irreversible. Once a person chooses to have porcelain veneers, there is no going back. Remember we said that veneers do not last forever? Eventually, porcelain veneers need replacing, and patients will have to undergo the cosmetic dentistry procedure again.
Caring for your dental veneers
The better you care for your veneers, the longer they will last.
To optimise the life of your veneers, you must adopt a good oral health routine at home and continue to have regular checks with the dentist and the hygienist.
Our dentists will ask you to visit the clinic regularly so they can check carefully how your teeth and veneers are holding up.
The hygienist will be following a prescribed treatment plan provided by the dentist.
This monitoring is vital since it alerts the dentist to any issues sooner rather than later. Patients are also encouraged to contact the team if they have the slightest concern about their teeth or dental veneers.
So, can anyone have porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are not suited to a person who:
- Has severely misaligned teeth – while veneers can fix spaced or crooked teeth, a patient with severely misaligned teeth would need to undergo orthodontic treatment before getting veneers.
- Has tooth decay or active periodontitis – all signs of gum disease or decay must be addressed before considering veneers.
- Grinds or clenches their teeth – This habit can significantly reduce the longevity of veneers
- Doesn’t have adequate existing tooth enamel – It is difficult for the dentist to get veneers to adhere adequately to thin or eroded tooth enamel.
Do you long for a beautiful smile?
Why not schedule a free consultation with the experienced Sydney Laser Dental care team to learn more about porcelain veneers or other cosmetic dentistry procedures? Call us today or book an appointment online. We’re also offering a fantastic deal on veneers packages, so don’t miss out!
References:
Quint Pub – A Prospective Ten-year Clinical Trial of Porcelain Veneers
http://www.quintpub.com/userhome/jad/jad_6_1_peumans_11.pdf
Colgate – What is CEREC in dentistry?
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-visits/what-is-cerec-in-dentistry
