How Long Do Veneers Last?

Here’s an interesting piece of dental history for you. Did you know that the reason straight teeth are linked with success is because so few people have them naturally?

In fact, only about 1 in every 90,000 people are born with straight teeth. The rest of us have to either deal with our imperfections or use cosmetic dentistry to fix them.

Veneers last

This rare physical characteristic used to be a sign of wealth and prosperity. If you had money, you could afford to have your teeth taken care of professionally. 

Although it’s an outdated societal norm, if we’re honest, many of us still judge people based on their smiles. And since we know it’s true about us, we’re self-conscious that other people are checking out our “flaws,” too.

Don’t Worry; Your “Flaws” Can Be Fixed Easily!

Luckily, there are professional dental offices like Addison Family Dentistry, where you can have those minor imperfections easily corrected. You don’t have to be the 1 in 90,000 to have perfect, straight teeth. All you need is Addison Family Dentistry and a veneer.

A veneer?

Yes, a veneer! These tiny little wafer-thin dental appliances are so versatile that they can fix almost any minor dental flaw.

Made out of porcelain or composite resin, these hardy shells correct everything from a stained tooth to an overbite. Interested in seeing how a veneer could help you? Read on to learn about these miniature technological innovations that are making massive impacts in dentistry.

Veneers last

All About These Versatile Veneers

Veneers are a common request in our dental office. We love to help people fix the little things they don’t like about their smiles, and veneers are an easy way to do this. And, as a bonus, there’s no need for anesthesia because most people don’t feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure. 

The reason veneers are used so often is that they fix minor flaws like chipped or cracked teeth, minimally crooked teeth, and gaps and spaces in your smile. They can even help people with stubbornly stained teeth or teeth damaged due to bruxism (grinding and clenching).

Most long-term veneers are referred to as “permanent,” but that’s not always accurate. Are veneers permanent? Unlike the “temporary” veneers offered, which last up to a week or so, the typical veneer can last anywhere from 5 years to 15. This difference between the two kinds is the reason for the label “permanent.”

The majority of patients who opt for veneers go for the permanent variety. Temporary veneers are usually only used if, for example, someone chips a tooth and has to wait until their custom veneers are created. If they don’t want to walk around with their chipped tooth visible, they can place a temporary one.

How a Veneer is Applied

If you’re interested in having veneers, you’ll be happy to know that the process is one of the easiest procedures you can have at the dentist.

To get you started, we’ll schedule a consultation with the dentist. We’ll figure out your goals at that visit and work with you to create a plan to get there. If veneers are the next step, an impression of your teeth will be made using a mold.

The impression serves as a guide the dentist uses to choose the shape and color of a standard veneer. Or, it will help perfect the custom-made veneers you’ll get if you chose that option.

Either way, once your veneers are ready, the fun can begin! They are sculpted and shaped to match the tooth that is getting corrected. Then, the enamel is prepped for the veneer to be bonded to it. All of this is typically painless and done quickly. 

When the veneer is set, you can go back to your day without any hassle. And unless you tell anyone you had cosmetic dental work, no one but you will know!

Choosing Veneers That Last

Three main parts go into choosing veneers that will be an excellent investment:

  • The professionals you use to have your veneers placed
  • The material of the veneer
  • How you take care of the veneers in the future

As long as you use a professional office like Addison Family Dentistry, you know you’re getting high-quality materials along with expert service.

As for the second part, standard veneers are made from composite resin and porcelain. Both of these materials are chosen because of their ability to hold up to long-term use, chewing, and other pressure. Either choice is a good one!

How you take care of the veneers when you leave the office, though, is entirely up to you. The better your dental hygiene routine is, the longer your natural teeth and your veneers will last. 

Choosing between porcelain and composite resin is the last step you’ll have to make before you can get your new veneers, though. While they’re both going to give you an amazing finished look, each one has its own strengths.

Composite Resin Versus Porcelain Veneers

Veneers last

Composite resin is the most common type of veneer you’ll see in the average person. It’s an excellent solution for people who are either in a hurry or on a budget (or both).

Standard veneers are made from composite resin. They’re on-hand in most dental offices, so you can often have them placed on the same day as your impressions if you don’t want custom-made veneers.

They’re also cheaper, but they’re not quite as hardy and durable as porcelain. With composite resin veneers, you have to be careful what you eat. Hard or sticky foods can damage the veneer.

Porcelain is more expensive, but it’s a material as close to our natural tooth enamel as you can get. It’s resistant to cracking and staining, so you won’t have to worry about damaging the shell. If you can eat it with your healthy natural teeth, you can eat it with a porcelain veneer.

Porcelain is the go-to veneer for people who don’t mind investing in something that they can have placed, then forget it’s there. They are custom-made, though, and can take a while to get designed.

Both types of veneers can be worn away over time. Repairing a veneer is a simple process if you catch the damage early enough. Regular checkups with Addison Family Dentistry give us the opportunity to monitor your natural teeth’s health and the status of your veneer.

Your Smile is Our Priority

You may still have your own personal questions, such as, “How long do porcelain veneers last on your front teeth?” Our friendly, knowledgeable staff is always willing to guide you to the answer.

Ready to see if a veneer can transform your smile? No matter what your dental needs are, contact our office to see how we can help you reach your goal. You may not be the 1 in 90,000 with perfect teeth naturally, but your dental health matters to us!

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