To understand how long veneers can last, let's look at what they are and how they are installed.
Dental veneers are special coatings or thin plates that are applied to the front of the front teeth. Today this is the most effective and fastest way to eliminate cosmetic imperfections such as darkening of the enamel, chips, curvature of the teeth, etc. The service life of veneers largely depends on the material from which they are made, the qualification of a cosmetic dentist, and on the method of installation.
The service life of ceramic veneers also depends on the quality of their manufacture. Ceramic onlays for teeth are made according to a cast, which, after preparing the teeth, is made by a doctor. Porcelain, or in other words ceramics, in its properties is in many ways reminiscent of human teeth, and over time it changes little.
Although the plates are made very thin, with proper care, they do not darken or crack. Another important advantage of ceramic plates is that the tooth remains alive under them; the doctor does not remove the nerve. The absence of polymerization shrinkage prevents tooth decay from forming under the veneers, leaving the teeth healthy at the junction between the veneer and the tooth.
The Stages of Installation of Ceramic Veneers
The durability of veneers largely depends on the quality of the tooth processing and on the density of their fit. Ceramic plates are installed in several stages.
1. At this stage, the doctor removes the top layer of enamel to the thickness of the veneer. Usually, it is no more than 0.4-0.6 mm. This procedure minimally injures the tooth and allows the veneers to become even. Then, an impression is taken from the treated teeth that maximally reproduces the shape and structure of the teeth. Veneers are created from an individual cast in a technical laboratory. The patient can also be offered plastic veneers.
2. The next step is the fitting of ceramic plates. If the patient feels even the slightest discomfort, the veneers are sent for revision;
3. At the last stage, temporary plastic veneers are removed, and the doctor proceeds to install porcelain plates. How long the veneers stay on the teeth will depend on how the fixation process will be carried out. The curing process takes place under the light of a special lamp. After the composition hardens, the veneers cannot be removed from the teeth or moved. Therefore, the doctor's task is to install the plates as accurately as possible before their final fixation.
Contraindications for Veneers
Although veneers are a universal method of restoring anterior teeth, there are situations when they cannot be placed: These are:
- If a composite restoration was carried out on the teeth, and there is significant damage.
- The teeth that were previously under the crown cannot be restored – it is better in this case to put a new crown.
- In the absence of chewing teeth, it is better to postpone the installation of veneers and carry out prosthetics and only then restoration with veneers.
- Veneers are not placed on severely crooked or deformed teeth;
- If the patient has periodontitis, the installation of veneers is transferred until complete recovery.
How Many Years Will Veneers Last?
How long veneers last largely depends on observing simple rules for care and maintenance. First, they cannot be subjected to mechanical stress – bite your nails or other hard objects, clean them from plaque in a timely manner, and do not abuse coloring drinks such as coffee, tea, red wine, etc. It depends on how you follow the doctor's recommendations for how many years are enough veneers. On average, their service life is from 10 to 20 years.
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