Porcelain veneers are placed over the front of teeth that have been impacted by cosmetic imperfections. These include:
- Spacing issues
- Irregular shapes and sizes
- Crooked presentation
- Chips and cracks
- Severe staining
Shaded and sculpted to look and feel like your natural teeth, dental veneers reflect light in the same manner as tooth enamel, helping to ensure your smile maintains a consistently healthy and attractive appearance.
Taking Care of Porcelain Veneers
Dental veneers are cared for in the same manner as your natural teeth. This means brushing after every meal and snack, flossing at least once daily, and visiting our office every six months for professional cleaning and examination.
With veneers, you will want to avoid abrasive toothpaste, such as those that contain baking soda or charcoal, medium-bristled toothbrushes, and aggressive brushing. These things can scratch and damage your veneers. You may also want to avoid using an astringent mouthwash. These can loosen the bonding used to hold veneers in place and may result in one coming loose or falling off.
How Long do Dental Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers should last for about 10 years. Some may last longer. Others may not last quite as long. Much of this will rely on the care you take of your teeth after having veneers placed.
Alternatives to Dental Veneers
Dental veneers are a cosmetic treatment. They serve little functional purpose. There are, however, other options that can be used to address both functional and aesthetic problems at the same time. These include:
- Dental Crowns. Placed over teeth that have been weakened through trauma, infection, or decay, porcelain crowns strengthen the bite and help prevent tooth loss
- Dental Bonding. Applied to the teeth in layers, bonding can correct size, shape, and spacing issues, but also treat large cavities, and protect teeth that are chipped or cracked
These treatments can be used alone or in combination with veneers for a complete smile makeover. We would be happy to discuss this in greater detail during your time in our care.
Please call Warr Dental at 801-355-5385 to schedule a consultation. We welcome patients from Salt Lake City and all surrounding communities.