When it comes to creating a beautiful smile, one of the best cosmetic dentistry options available to patients is the placement of porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are custom made thin shells that are placed on the teeth to mask aesthetic dental flaws. While porcelain veneers are durable, they can chip or crack as a result of daily wear and tear or injury. In these cases, veneers will need to be replaced or repaired. There are a few basic facts that our Livingston porcelain veneer repair patients should know if they have one or multiple veneers that are need of repair or replacement.
Overview of Porcelain Veneers
A porcelain veneer is used to address the following dental issues:
Chipped or cracked teeth
Stained teeth
Gaps in teeth
Misaligned teeth
Misshaped teeth
A porcelain veneer is attached to the front portion of a tooth, concealing aesthetic flaws. One of the most appealing factors of porcelain veneers is the fact that they appear completely natural once in place, and will blend in seamlessly with your existing tooth structure.
The Lifespan of Porcelain Veneers
If you take proper care of your porcelain veneers, chips and cracks are less likely to occur. However, porcelain veneers are not expected to last forever. In most cases, veneers last for about 10 years. Eventually, veneers will develop chip, cracks, or may appear worn. While preventative care will help veneers to last as long as possible, patients should be ready to undergo porcelain veneer repair or replacement at some point in the future.
Generally, if a porcelain veneer is old or damaged, replacement is the ideal option. However, some patients opt for repair services since it is a less costly option.
Porcelain Veneer Repair
If you have even the slightest chip or crack in your porcelain veneer, you need to have it repaired. To repair a porcelain veneer, a dentist will use a tooth-colored composite material to patch the chip or crack in the veneer. While the bonding substance is not as strong as the actual porcelain veneer, it is a non-invasive way to fix the actual damage that is present on the veneer. You may have to have further touch-ups with the bonding substance in the future.
Porcelain Veneer Replacement
If the veneer is severely damaged, or if you have had tooth decay occur around the porcelain veneer, it will need to be replaced. The removal of the veneer will be necessary, and since the tooth’s natural enamel was removed when the veneer was initially placed, a new veneer will need to be placed to protect the tooth.
Learn More about Porcelain Veneer Replacement
Porcelain veneer replacement is less involved than the first porcelain veneers procedure. In most cases, the tooth will not require the removal of healthy tooth structure. In order to maintain your new porcelain veneers, you should floss and brush on a regular basis, visit the dentist at least twice a year, and avoid chewing on hard or brittle substances such as ice, pen caps, or your fingernails. To learn more about the porcelain veneer repair and replacement options available to you, schedule a consultation with the capable staff at The Silverstrom Group today.
973-957-3185
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