Feeling insecure about your smile can be uncomfortable. Each time you speak, chew food, or pose for a photo, you’re reminded of how you wish you could change your teeth.
With veneers, you can completely transform your smile.
A veneer is a shell that’s adhered to the front of a tooth. Made of composite resin or porcelain, they’re a great way to cover stains, chips, and crooked teeth. Some people only need 1 veneer to fix a single tooth, while others may want an entire set. Depending on how many you need and what material you choose, the price varies.
That brings us to the topic of this post: how long will your investment last?
Average Lifespan of Veneers
Porcelain veneers tend to last longer than composite resin veneers (but they cost more, too). If you’re interested in porcelain veneers, they can last up to 10 years; with composite resin, they’ll last roughly 5 years.
The biggest determinant of how long your veneers will last is how well you take care of them. One of the great things about veneers is that they’re stronger than your natural enamel—that being said, they can still be stained by beverages like red wine and coffee, or broken by especially hard foods.
How to Take Care of Veneers
To get more years out of your veneers, you’ll need to take proper care of them. Here’s how:
Don’t chew ice!
Even though veneers are strong, they aren’t indestructible. Your jaws bite down with such strong force that it can leave your teeth cracked and chipped, despite having veneers. Avoid chewing overly hard foods such as ice, hard candies, tough meats, and crusty bread.
Wear a mouthguard.
Do you grind your teeth or play contact sports? A mouthguard is a great way to protect your teeth from impact. When you go to sleep at night or gear up for the next game, remember to wear your mouthguard.
Never use your teeth as tools.
That package you just ordered needs a sharp edge to open—should you try to tear it with your teeth? No! Doing so can damage your natural teeth or your veneers. Teeth are tools for chewing food, not opening sealed objects. Grab a pair of scissors instead and save yourself the dental bill.
You know the drill…
You can probably guess what we’re going to suggest next: brush and floss your teeth twice a day, every day! You need to maintain your veneers just like natural teeth.
Remember to visit the dentist regularly—every 6 months, have your teeth cleaned and inspected by your favourite dentist.
Interested in Veneers?
Veneers require healthy gums and teeth without decay. Before the veneers can be applied, the dentist must shave a layer of the tooth. This allows the shell to form a strong bond with the natural tooth.
When you inquire about veneers, your dentist will make sure that you’re a good candidate for them, and fix any issues that may interfere.
At EK Dental, we’ll be happy to provide you with Winnipeg veneers. Give us a call and we’ll set up a consultation. It’s the first step on your journey to a stronger, healthier smile.