Are veneers permanent? Yes, veneers can last for many years with proper care. However, there are a few things you need to remember to ensure your new teeth surfaces keep looking their best.
If you’re considering getting dental veneers, you must know what they are and what they can do for your smile. They are useful in correcting various teeth problems like misaligned, discolored, gapped, or chipped teeth.
Veneers are Permanent and Not to be Removed
Yes, veneers are permanent and are very hard to remove once applied. If your artificial tooth surfaces break, tear, or become loose, your only option is to replace them.
When you get permanent veneers, the dentist uses a grinding tool to create a coarse and rough surface on each tooth that will receive a veneer. The natural enamel on your tooth is ground down to allow the artificial shell to bond to the tooth. You can’t go back once this process is complete.
Your veneers will cover your teeth and closely bind to them, keeping them robust and in good shape. If permanent veneers are removed, your remaining teeth will become weaker and more prone to damage and decay. This is the reason why veneers are considered a long-term option.
What are the Different Types of Veneers
Depending upon their material, many types of veneers are available in the market. Check out the list below.
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Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain is the most common material used for veneers. Porcelain veneers are tooth-colored and durable, so they can easily last 10–15 years with proper care! They are also less invasive than composite restorations and require much less preparation before being placed on your teeth.
It’s essential to watch what you eat to make your porcelain veneers last long. Avoid eating hard or sticky foods as veneers are costly to replace.
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Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are a popular and cheaper alternative to porcelain veneers. You can have them on the same day as your appointment. Composite veneers last for only 5–7 years compared to porcelain veneers.
When a small piece of composite veneer breaks off, replacing the entire veneer set is unnecessary as the damaged part can be repaired or replaced. This fact makes composite veneers a far more affordable and easy-to-use option for you.
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Palatal Veneers
Veneers are typically used to restore or enhance the anterior portion of the tooth. But palatal veneers are used to improve or treat a tooth’s posterior (back) side.
Bruxism (teeth grinding), bite misalignment, and dental erosion are all prevalent problems that impact the rear part of a tooth and may require palatal veneers for correction.
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Lumineers
Lumineers are a type of dental treatment that has become very popular in recent years. Lumineers are made out of ultra-thin layers (0.2 mm) of translucent material, which can replicate the shape or color of natural tooth enamel far better than porcelain veneers. However, they also come with some downsides, such as the increased risk of chipping due to low durability.
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Removable Veneers
Removable veneers are less invasive than traditional ones. You’ll save money by not having to pay for tooth reduction and they’re removable, so you won’t have any problems when it comes time for the dentist to remove them!
However, there are some downsides, like how uncomfortable these false teeth may feel against your natural gum tissue or if their color doesn’t match correctly with what’s already on top. (especially after drinking hot beverages)
How are Veneers Applied to Teeth?
After your dentist creates your mold, it usually takes 1 to 2 weeks for the lab to return your veneers. Your dentist will call you to set up a time for the procedure once your permanent veneers have arrived.
During this stage, your dentist will check the color and shape of your veneers to ensure they are just right for you. In order to prevent bacteria from getting trapped under the veneer and causing decay, your dentist will thoroughly clean your teeth.
Next, the dentist uses the grinding tool to produce a coarse and rough surface on each tooth that will receive a veneer. This aids in the adhesion of the veneer to the tooth. Afterward, your dentist will bond the veneer to your teeth with a special glue called dental cement. They’ll use UV to harden and fix it in place quickly.
The second appointment is for the veneers, where they last for no longer than 2 hours. Session length is decided by the number of teeth that are to be treated. All this varies from patient to patient, depending upon their individual needs!
Advantages of Getting Permanent Veneers
The main advantage of veneers is that they improve the aesthetics of your teeth, giving you a more uniform smile. Veneers can provide you with that perfect smile everyone longs for.
Discover additional benefits of getting veneers below:
- They can improve damaged, fragmented, stained, dirty, misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth.
- There’s no need for any special upkeep.
- It is impossible to distinguish between a natural tooth and a porcelain veneer.
- Veneers can quickly transform an unattractive smile into a beautiful one.
- Severe discoloration or irregular coloring will not go away with teeth whitening treatments.
- Getting dental veneers is a simple, quick, and painless process.
Disadvantages of Getting Veneers
There are certain drawbacks associated with veneers, as is the case with any other procedure. When you decide to get veneers, these drawbacks have to be considered:
- Because your natural tooth is drilled down to allow for veneer attachment, the procedure is irreversible and hence veneers are a permanent procedure.
- The cost of getting veneers is usually relatively high, even composite ones.
- Veneers increase tooth sensitivity.
- Veneers always carry the risk of tooth damage.
- Porcelain dental veneers may crack if you bite your nails.
- Localized tooth decay under a dental veneer is possible, which may lead to unnecessary root canals and porcelain crowns.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
The question that cosmetic dentists receive most often when discussing dental procedures is whether or not they will last a lifetime. Everyone wants something quick and easy, but even though veneers have evolved considerably since their inception in Hollywood in the early days of motion picture superstardom, they come with certain limitations.
While some people may opt for dental implants. This can give them an attractive new smile lasting anywhere from 7 to 15 years, depending on how well you take care of it. Others might prefer more robust options such as bridges that provide more strength and are long-lasting.
How to Make Your Veneers Last Longer?
With veneers, you need to brush and floss just like regular teeth. But taking some additional precautions will help keep your new smile looking great! You invested in these expensive repairs, so it’s essential for them to not only function but also to appear shiny. After all, we want people asking our clients where they got their brilliant smiles when they see our shining white crowns on display.
Proper maintenance of porcelain veneers can help you maintain your beautiful smile for years to come. Here are some tips that will ensure the long life and healthfulness of these natural teeth enhancements:
- Maintain basic oral hygiene, i.e., brush and floss at least twice daily.
- Avoid chewing on solid and dense objects such as pens, ice, or your fingernails.
- Never open packages with your teeth.
- Wear a mouth guard while participating in sports.
- If you grind your teeth, you should use a mouth guard or retainer.
- Meet your dentist for semi-annual checkups and cleanings, i.e., every 6 months.
- Use non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste for brushing your teeth.
- Avoid foods that can stain your veneers.
Finally, dental veneers are easy to care for when you practice good oral hygiene habits like regular brushing and flossing.
Looking for Permanent Veneers in Lake Elmo and Adjoining Areas? Book a Consultation with Valley Ridge Dental Today!
Are you unhappy with the appearance of your teeth? Do you have chips, cracks, discoloration, or other aesthetic problems? If so, we at Valley Ridge Dental are here to help.
Our experienced dental team can craft beautiful and natural-looking veneers that will solve all of your tooth woes. Visit our website today to learn more about this process, and call us to let us know how we can help you achieve the smile of your dreams.
