Porcelain Veneers, How Long will they Last Me?

Comprehensive cosmetic dentistry procedures in Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, and all of Palm Beach County, Florida.

If you’ve made the decision to start looking into veneers; congratulations, you’re now joining the world of cosmetic dentistry! This world is full of solutions to dental problems you've been self-conscious about for years. Porcelain veneers especially, have been a go-to solution for a number of problems, and have been a popular choice in the cosmetic dentistry.

What Are Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are shells that are molded and shaped to fit the front face of your tooth to hide impurities. The molding is made out of porcelain, which is a type of ceramic. This material is popularly used for veneers as the color, when glazed, mimics the color of real teeth (so it never looks out of place). Another reason porcelain veneers are used over other materials is durability. The porcelain outlasts a number of other materials that may be used for the same solutions.

Porcelain veneers can be used to hide some of the imperfections you may be self-conscious about on your teeth. Many people opt for veneers when extreme teeth whitening doesn’t cut it. There are times when badly rotted teeth can’t be helped with even the most powerful lasers, so porcelain veneers are the perfect fix! Veneers can also be used when teeth are too separated and can be added to existing teeth to seem wider and to close the gaps. Chipped or cracked teeth are also easily fixable with a slip of a veneer.

Now that you’ve decided to take a dive in the great land of veneers, you’re wondering how long they’ll last? Firstly, let’s break down the steps for getting your veneers placed. After your consultation visit with your cosmetic dentist, the first step your dentist will take is to get an exact mold of your teeth using wax. This is a painless and easy process. Once the mold has finished, temporary veneers are created specifically to fit your teeth. The temporary veneers are placed on your teeth for days or sometimes weeks, while your permanent ones are being created.

The process of temporary veneers allows your mouth to get used to having bulkier teeth. In addition to getting used to the veneers, this trial period also gives you the freedom to evaluate what can be changed to best fit your needs before the permanent ones are set it. This allows you to fully feel confident in the porcelain veneers when the process has fully been completed.

Once the testing period has passed, and you feel confident and ready for the permanent ones, it’s time to set them in! Once your porcelain veneers are on, they can typically last from 7-20 years perhaps even longer if they’ve been taken care of well.

Tips On Making Your Porcelain Veneers Last Longer

  • Be sure to brush your teeth at least twice a day to prevent any bacteria from forming.
  • Flossing is always a plus!
  • If you grind your teeth at night, be sure to wear a mouth guard as porcelain can still crack when too much pressure has been added.

Choose Ritter and Ramsey for their porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dental needs. Contact us today to start your journey towards a beautiful new smile you can be proud of.

Want to read more about porcelain dental veneers? Learn more about common veneer questions.