When you get dental veneers, you want to make sure that they last. Dental veneers are beautiful, but they’re not a good investment if they don’t last. Fortunately, they have the potential to be very long-lasting (up to 20 years), but to make sure that they do last, you have to do things right.
Here are some tips that can help you get the best results from your dental veneers.
Choose the Right Dentist
Your dentist is biggest influence in the quality of your results. The talent of a dentist can make a big difference in the placement of your veneers, and the placement is one of the biggest determiners about how long the veneers will last.
You also want to make sure that your dentist understands how to design a healthy bite, one that will avoid putting too much stress on your veneers.
When choosing your dentist, make sure you view their smile gallery, read reviews, and, if possible, talk to a former patient.
Choose the Right Materials
There are more options for dental veneers than there used to be. Back when porcelain veneers were the only option, it was less critical to choose carefully. You could get results that were attractive, but the veneers didn’t last.
Now we have the option for many different attractive veneers. However, some of them may not last as long as others. Talk to your dentist about the materials you can choose from. Ask if the material is:
- Attractive
- Strong
- Stain resistant
You should be able to get veneers that have all three of these properties. You shouldn’t have to choose. Sometimes, you might opt for less expensive options, understanding that you’re sacrificing one or more of these characteristics. But that’s your choice–you have other options.
Maintain Them Properly
Hopefully, you understand that getting the most out of your investment in veneers requires that you take proper care of them. The good news is that you don’t have to worry too much about the care for veneers. It’s easy.
Mostly, with veneers, you have to take care of the tooth under the veneer. This means that you have to brush, floss, and make regular dental visits. We’ll let you know what toothpastes are appropriate for use with your veneers. Usually, any toothpaste that’s safe for your teeth is also safe for your veneers.
Protect Them
Your veneers are as strong as your teeth, but if they exceed their strength, they can break. So there are some situations where you might have to protect your veneers from damage.
The most common situation that can damage veneers is if you’re a bruxer. Bruxers clench and grind their teeth, which can damage veneers. If you are a bruxer, we’ll get you a special mouthguard to protect your veneers.
You will also need to wear a mouthguard when you participate in competitive athletics. This includes even sports that are “non-contact.” We all know that even when contact supposedly isn’t allowed, it can happen when people get competitive. Even in informal games.
Avoid Bad Habits
Bad habits can put your veneers at risk. Again, the habits that damage your teeth are likely to damage your veneers. This includes biting on objects other than food, such as fingernails, pens, ice cubes, and other objects.
Another bad habit is using your teeth as tools. Don’t use them to crack nuts (sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are okay), as pliers, or as bottle openers. This can destroy your veneers.
Finally, smoking can put your teeth at risk, which puts your veneers at risk. If you really want your veneers to last, you should quit smoking to preserve your teeth.
We Strive for the Longest-Lasting Veneers
Are you looking for long-lasting veneers in Orange County? We strive for the most beautiful and most durable veneers possible. Please call (949) 551-5902 today for an appointment with a cosmetic dentist at Rice Dentistry in Irvine.
