Veneers can be used to transform the appearance of your teeth. But they are not designed to last forever. Your veneers will need to be replaced at some point in time. Their exact lifespan depends on many different factors, including the material they are made from, the type of cement that was used to bond them to your teeth, how well they fit your teeth, how well cared for they are, and the types of food and drinks you consume. Because there are so many factors that can affect the lifespan of veneers, it is important to understand the signs that your veneers may be nearing the end of their lifespan and need to be replaced. Here are a few of those signs.
The Veneer is Darkening
Dental cement, also referred to as dental glue or a dental adhesive, is used to bond a veneer to the front of your tooth. Overtime, this cement begins to naturally darken. As it darkens, you may be able to see this darkening through the veneer. Unfortunately, many people do not know exactly what is going on, and they think their veneer or the tooth below the veneer is darkening. There is no way to lighten the cement back up, so the only option is to remove the veneer and the cement and apply a new one to your tooth.
Stains Are Not Lifting From the Veneer
Just like your teeth, food and drink can stain your veneers. Items such as coffee, cola, red wine, and acidic foods can all leave stains behind. However, unlike your natural teeth, veneers cannot be bleached or whitened. The only way to remove stains from veneers is to brush them vigorously. If the stains on your veneers are not lifting despite deep brushing, they may need to be replaced.
The Veneer Is Becoming Rough Around the Edges
The last sign that your veneers may need to be replaced is that they start to become rough around the edges. As you eat or chew, your veneers can begin to wear down. This can cause them to become rough and eventually lose their shape. This can also lead to cracks or chips in the veneer. If you can feel rough edges on the veneers when you run your teeth over them, they may need to be replaced.
It is recommended that you visit a dentist two times per year for regular dental visits, even if you have veneers. During these appointments, your dentist will examine the health of your gums and teeth, as well as check your veneers to ensure they are holding up and wearing well. If you notice any of these signs outside of a normal visit, schedule an appointment with your regular dentist or a cosmetic dentist to have the veneers checked and to determine if they need to be replaced.
Contact a company like The Smile Architects for more information.
Share24 March 2018
My son was outside playing with some friends when he accidentally fell down and hit his mouth on the sidewalk. The fall knocked out his front tooth, so I immediately placed the tooth in a small jar and added some milk. I rushed my son to the dental clinic and the dentist immediately took us into the examination room. The dentist placed the tooth back into the socket and saved it. My name is Beverly Tillman and thanks to the quick work of the dentist, my son didn't lose his tooth. Since this was a scary time for me and my son, I wanted to write this blog as a source of information for other parents who are facing a dental emergency. First of all, don't panic and get to your dentist as soon as possible. I hope this blog will help to answer your questions about dental emergencies.