Caring for Your Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain veneers provide an increasingly popular solution for correcting minor defects in your smile. With careful, diligent care, they also are long-lasting, keeping your smile bright and perfect for many years. If you have small irregularities in your teeth, a consultation with cosmetic dentist Dr. Gary Green can help you determine if porcelain veneers are right for you.

Once attached to the teeth, porcelain veneers are very strong and durable. They do require some considerations regarding long-term care, however. There are several things to keep in mind regarding care of porcelain veneers, including:

• If you've been diagnosed with bruxism, or tooth grinding, wearing a dentist approved mouth guard might help
• Don't bite or chew on hard objects such as ice or metal pins
• Limit your use of alcohol
• Be sure your hygienist uses equipment considered safe for use with veneers
• Maintain diligent oral hygiene

The edges of porcelain veneers are most vulnerable to damage. Biting down on hard objects can chip the edges of the veneers or even dislodge them from the teeth. Excessive use of alcohol can dissolve the bonding agent that holds the veneers to your teeth, also increasing the risk that they'll be dislodged.

If you have your teeth cleaned by someone who doesn't use appropriate equipment, the surface of your veneers can be damaged, increasing the likelihood that they will suffer from unpleasant staining. And keeping your teeth clean with general oral care such as brushing and flossing will protect your teeth from cavities, as well as keep your gums from receding. If gums recede, it can expose the top edges of the veneers, making them more vulnerable to damage and also resulting in a less attractive appearance.

With appropriate care, your porcelain veneers can last as long as ten years, keeping your smile bright and perfect.

For information on Caldwell, Essex County, Livingston, Verona, and Newark, New Jersey porcelain veneers, please contact cosmetic dentist G. Gary Green, DMD.