From the side of the dental practice, it’s easy for us to tell you how beautiful your teeth will look with veneers. Your teeth can look whiter, straighter, more even, and much more. We can even close up the appearance of gaps, along with shaping any individual tooth to look its best.
But as a patient, you might have other questions. What are veneers made of? How are they bonded to teeth? What is the process of putting them on? Is it a big decision?
What Are Veneers?
Let’s start with the basics. You may know that dental crowns are often made of porcelain and are a hard, thick cap that covers the whole chewing surface of a tooth—often a molar. Well, in contrast, veneers are very thin shells of porcelain that only cover the front of teeth—often just the front or most visible teeth.
Permanent Bonding
Veneers are bonded onto your visible teeth permanently. What does that really mean? The front surfaces of your front teeth are often fairly smooth and not easy to bond to. So, your dentist will remove a small amount of the top layer of material there. That makes a surface that can hold a bonding agent.
Are Veneers a Major Decision?
If your front teeth are going to be permanently altered, veneers are a long-term commitment. Over a long life, you might even replace some of them a time or two—but the changes will last for years each time you place any veneers.
If you’re considering veneers, discuss them with your dentist and go over all your options. You might want to truly re-align your teeth with orthodontics or repair a tooth with a crown. Be sure veneers are the best option for you before making this important decision.
How Long Can My Veneers Last?
The average patient might keep the same set of veneers for about 7–10 years. Our advice is, don’t be average! Keep yours very clean, and don’t wear them out too fast by chewing on hard candies or ice; you could get them to last 20 years or longer before they’re replaced.
The good news is that they don’t take any unusual maintenance. You’ll just need to brush 2–3 times per day and floss once per day. You’re already doing that, right?
Visit Dr. Rosenfeld for a Beautiful Smile
Keep your teeth and your veneers healthy. Schedule your next cleaning and exam with Dr. Rosenfeld. Ask about veneers or other cosmetic services if you want to have a dazzling smile by your next big event.