05 Jun How durable are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are very thin, tooth colored shells that are made to match your teeth. They can be used to cover up dental stain, uneven dentition, chipped teeth, or make unwanted gaps between disappear. Porcelain is durable and treated teeth enjoy added strength.
The process is quite simple, and the final result will provide a cosmetic enhancement that is beautiful, strong, and can last for many years if well cared for.
Porcelain is stain resistant, has a very natural appearance, and can be adapted to match all teeth in size, shade, and shape. A consultation with your cosmetic dentist will identify which teeth require treatment … veneers are appropriate to correct one or multiple teeth.
A small amount of enamel will be removed from the front of each tooth to receive a veneer. The enamel removed is about the same thickness of the veneer itself so once the veneers are cemented in place, the treated teeth will match surrounding teeth providing a symmetrical appearance.
Your dentist will take dental impressions for the lab to fabricate the porcelain wafers; they will be ready in about two weeks.
On your big day, the temporaries that had been placed on your teeth to protect them while awaiting your veneers will be removed. The veneers will be tried on to make sure they match perfectly and fit correctly to offer the best function. Small adjustments can be made before cementing in place, if needed.
When cemented in, the patient is advised of what is needed to make sure they are well cared for: brush twice daily; floss daily; and visit your dentist every six months for cleaning and dental exam. A few additional caveats may be issued such as … do not use your teeth to bite your nails, open packages, or for any task they are not designed for. In addition, veneers are very strong and durable, but just as dental enamel is not invincible, veneer treated teeth have their limits.
Some hard or crunchy foods may be discouraged; sticky foods like caramel may be ill advised; cut foods into pieces for consumption rather than biting into them for best results.
If a veneer should break or become dislodged it will need to be replaced. And since porcelain is stain resistant, if teeth whitening is considered, it should be done before the veneer cosmetic enhancement.
Contact our office today to find out if veneers are right for you!