Are Veneers Permanent?
Veneers are one of many cosmetic dental treatments which can help get you smiling more confidently. However, many people want to know before committing to getting veneers if having them installed is a permanent procedure, and also what sort of maintenance is required to keep them. After all, having spent the time to get the procedure done you want to ensure that you are maximizing the length of time that the veneers will last and to ensure that they keep looking great for years to come.
Luckily, maintaining veneers is usually just as simple as maintaining regular teeth, but even with dedicated maintenance, how long can they really last? And is it possible to go back? Read on to find out.
How Do Dental Veneers Work?
A veneer is essentially an artificial tooth that is bonded to the top of an original tooth, compensating for any imperfections like chips, cracks, or gaps between teeth. In order to install veneers, your dentist will need to shave down the enamel of your teeth to make room for the veneers. They’ll then use an impression of your teeth to create a beautiful new smile that’s tailored to you.
Having your new veneers made can take some time, so you may get temporary veneers to tide you over between the preparation of your original teeth and the arrival of your long-term veneers. It is important that your temporary veneers are also taken care of the meantime, to ensure your teeth will be ready for when the permanent set is ready to be put on.
Can Veneers Straighten Teeth?
While veneers can assist with minor adjustments to the overall uniformity of your smile, any major re-alignment of your teeth will require that you have orthodontic work completed before you get fitted with a set of veneers. Sometimes, orthodontic work might be the only thing you need. Orthodontists can make major alterations to your smile using braces or Invisalign technology that is often enough to dramatically change how you feel about your smile and mitigate the desire for veneers.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Depending on the type of veneers you choose to purchase, veneers can last anywhere from 5 to 10 years, and sometimes even longer. How long your veneers last will depend primarily on two things:
- Whether your veneers are composite or porcelain
- How well you take care of your veneers
Composite veneers are cheaper but generally do not last as long as porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are widely considered to be the most cost-effective veneers in the long-term as they are stronger and more stain resistant; as such, you will not need to get them replaced as often. So while porcelain veneers might cost a little more than composite veneers up front, it’s generally the more advisable option long term, as they’ll leave with you a longer lasting smile.
You should also take care of your veneers as you would your regular teeth, being careful not to bite on anything too hard and avoiding things like ripping packaging with your teeth. A chipped or broken veneer will need to be replaced. This is another reason that porcelain veneers are recommended over composite when possible. A damaged veneer is inconvenient to have to go to fix, and avoiding a bill for the fix will give you another reason to smile.
Can You Go Back from Veneers?
No, veneers are effectively permanent. Because a dentist shaves your tooth enamel and reshapes your original tooth to arrange for the placement of your veneers, having veneers installed is not a reversible procedure. When your veneers are ready to be retired, you’ll need to have new ones fitted to your teeth.
Get the Smile You’ve Always Wanted with Veneers
Whether you’re looking to eliminate stains, chips, cracks, or just want a more even-looking smile, veneers may be the best option for you to do just that. At Van Mills Dental, Dr. Demarchi will determine whether you might be a candidate for veneers, and assist in fitting you with veneers of the highest quality to give you the smile you’ve always wanted. If you’re looking for veneers in Mississauga, give us a call and we’re happy to provide you with more information; and if you’re looking for information on other restorative dentistry treatments, then check out our post titled What is The Difference Between Crowns, Bridges, Veneers, and Implants? for further reading on the subject of restorative dentistry.
