Porcelain veneers are a great investment in your smile. But like many other cosmetic dentistry restorations, their lifespan depends on how well you take care of your general oral health. With conscientious oral hygiene and regular checkups at our Fairfax, VA dental office, you can expect your veneers to last up to fifteen years!
Lifespan of Veneers
In general, veneers that are expertly placed on a healthy tooth are extremely durable. The National Institutes of Health indicates that, when cared for properly, porcelain veneers have a 94% success rate over ten years. Almost half of the cases where a veneer didn’t last were due to fracturing.
Veneers are made of porcelain, which is a glass that is strong but brittle. Fracturing can occur in several ways. Biting down on hard foods like nuts or candy can chip or crack your veneer. Likewise, you can easily fracture a veneer if you use your teeth to open packages or in other ways in which they weren’t intended to be used!
Another reason that veneers fracture is teeth grinding, or bruxism. Teeth grinding is harmful enough to your natural teeth, so you can imagine how damaging this habit can be to a veneer. Before placing your veneer, Dr. Fairfax will take the necessary steps to ensure that grinding isn’t a problem. But if you start to experience pain or tension in your jaw, you may be suffering from bruxism and need to have it corrected to protect your veneers.
Please Call to Learn More
At our Fairfax, VA dental office, we use cosmetic dentistry to help our patients feel good about the appearance of their smile. If you’re considering veneers and have questions, please contact our office. We will be happy to arrange a consultation with Dr. Fairfax to discuss your needs.
