How Often Do Veneers Need to Be Replaced?
Dental veneers are a great cosmetic option to repair dental imperfections and enhance your smile, whether dealing with teeth misalignments, cracks, chips, or improper teeth. A veneer is a thin tooth-colored coating bonded to the front of a tooth to hide the damage.
While both composite and porcelain veneers have great aesthetics, porcelain veneers offer better strength, durability, and resistance to damage and stains. Porcelain veneers last for about 15 – 20 years with proper dental care and habits, while composite veneers only last 5 – 10 years. After this time, it’s essential to replace your veneers to ensure optimum performance.
If your veneers crack, chip, or wear down before the expected lifespan, you have to replace them as soon as possible. Damaged veneers can expose the bonded tooth to bacteria and decay. Good dental hygiene and regular oral exams and cleanings will keep your veneers in excellent condition for many years to come. Contact our dentist for veneers in Wellesley, MA.
Signs you need to replace your Veneers
If your veneers show the following signs, it may be time to replace them:
- Chips, cracks, or worn down
Like your natural tooth, veneers aren’t immune to damage. Your veneers can chip, crack or wear down from accidents, teeth grinding and clenching, and eating hard items like ice, hard candy, and nails. Damaged veneers can affect your aesthetics, bite function, and expose you to infections. It’s important to replace your veneers if they have shown damage.
- Decay under the veneer
Even if your veneer is in perfect condition, if the tooth underneath isn’t, it can weaken the bond and cause your veneer to fall out or loosen with time. If the underlying tooth is compromised, the dentist may have to remove the veneer to treat decay, after which a new veneer is placed.
- Loose veneers
Veneers fit snugly to the underlying tooth, blocking any plaque and bacteria that cause decay. If your veneers are loose, the underlying tooth is susceptible to decay and fractures. Similarly, loose veneers can affect your bite functions and aesthetics or fall out when eating or speaking.
- Veneers were improperly applied.
Veneers are customized to fit perfectly over your tooth without looking abnormal or bulky. It entails trimming down the tooth’s enamel to facilitate a perfect fit. If the veneers aren’t properly installed, they can be uncomfortable and lead to bite issues. The veneer can also loosen and fall out with time, exposing you to more risks. Our dentist in Wellesley, MA, will ensure your veneers are properly installed.
- Stains, yellowing, or discoloration
While highly resistant to stains, regular staining habits like smoking and consuming highly-pigmented food items can stain your veneers or make them look dull. It can affect your aesthetics and give you a non-uniform smile. Unlike your natural teeth, veneers can’t be whitened or bleached. You may have to replace your veneers to restore your beautiful smile.
How to Prolong the Lifetime of Your Veneers
Fortunately, you can do something to keep your veneers in spectacular condition for longer. Use these tips to care for your veneers and mouth:
- Brush at least twice daily.
- Floss daily.
- Brush or rinse your mouth thoroughly after consuming staining food items like coffee, tea, red wine, or soda.
- Avoid damaging habits like using your teeth to open or bite non-food items like nails and pens.
- Avoid hard, crunchy, or sticky foods.
- Avoid tobacco products.
- Schedule frequent dental assessments and cleanings.
- Eat healthier and keep hydrated.
- Wear a mouthguard when playing sports or sleeping if you have bruxism.
- Use the right oral products. Avoid hard-bristled toothbrushes and abrasive toothpaste.
Final Verdict
Although dental veneers are durable, they aren’t indestructible. If this happens, contact your dentist for a replacement right away. For more information about dental veneer treatment and replacement, contact Wellesley Dental Arts to book your appointment today.