Your Top 3 Dental Veneer Questions Answered

How Much Of My Tooth Is Removed With Veneers?
This really depends on what the veneer is being used for.  A veneer can be as thin as 1/2 mm, or about the thickness of a fingernail.  So if the dentist is adding bulk and length to a tooth, very little enamel needs to be removed.  But if your dentist in Kew is trying to make teeth appear straighter or reshape them, we often need to take away more enamel where the teeth stick out too far.  Also, if they are trying to cover dark, stained teeth, the veneer needs to be thicker so the porcelain can hide the dark tooth underneath without looking too “chalky”.  In addition, if the tooth already has fillings, they will extend the veneer to cover the fillings.  One thing to keep in mind is that the thicker the veneer, the more creative the lab can be in creating an aesthetic, natural looking tooth.  On the other hand, the less tooth that is removed by your dentist in Surrey Hills, the more enamel is left to bond to.

In saying that, some veneers don't require any removal of tooth structure at all! Proper planning and expertise always lead to the optimal aesthetic success and beauty.

Will My Dental Veneers Change Color?
Porcelain is a popular and ideal material for creating veneers, in part because it is so stain-resistant. There’s a big difference between being stain-resistant and being impervious to colour changes, though. Here are some things that can result in changes to the colour of your veneers.

The same richly coloured foods, drinks and staining behaviours that affect the colour of your natural teeth can leave superficial deposits on your porcelain veneers. Things like smoking, red wine, coffee, tea and richly coloured sauces don’t change the colour of your enamel but can lead to the development of surface stains.

Porcelain veneers involves placing veneers over the front of teeth from the sharp edge of your teeth all the way to your gum line. If you develop gum disease — and even just as a function of time as you age — your gums will gradually recede (shrink away from your teeth). When that happens, the imperceptible seam where your veneer meets the enamel at the location of your former gum line will become exposed. The farther that your gums recede, more and more enamel is exposed between your gums and the edge of your veneers. That can produce thin brown lines on your teeth.

Depending on the age of your veneers, they may slowly be changing colour. In particular, if you received veneers 20 years ago or more, they may not be made with the porcelain used today. Older veneers may have been made with plastic materials or more porous forms of porcelain. In that case, their colour may have changed simply because they’re less stain-resistant than today’s veneers.

Trauma suffered by the tooth under your veneer doesn’t change the colour of the veneer itself, but can cause the dentin layer under that veneer (and the remaining enamel under the veneer) to gradually become a darker and darker yellow. Veneers are thin and translucent enough that the change of the dentin’s colour can make the veneers appear darker as well.

What can be done about it?

Porcelain veneers from your dentist in Hawthorn don’t respond well to most DIY over-the-counter teeth whitening products. Before trying any DIY treatment for whitening your veneers, be sure to ask your dentist what is appropriate for whatever is causing the changes to the colour and appearance of your veneers.

Your dentist in Camberwell will also explain the transformative effect that a thorough professional dental cleaning would have on the appearance of your teeth and veneers. Dental cleanings can remove all superficial stains and sources of discolouration. If the colour of your veneers are a factor that can not be cleaned away, your dentist may recommend your veneers be replaced to re-renew the beauty and brightness of your teeth and smile.

Porcelain doesn't stain like most other dental materials or even natural teeth, keeping the shade of the veneers stable for their lifetime.
 

How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?
Veneers can chip or break under severe conditions, and may have to be replaced. Other factors that can affect longevity are:

• The state of your teeth prior to installation. According to some dentists, the state of your teeth prior to getting a veneer may affect the lifespan.
• Veneer materials. Porcelain and no-prep veneers last longer than composite veneers. However, these options are more expensive, so you’ll have to weigh the cost against the expected lifespan.
• Your dental hygiene. Good oral hygiene really matters. Twice-daily brushing and daily flossing are crucial to prolonging the lifespan of veneers. It’s also important to have dental checkups and cleanings every 6 months.
• Mouth protection. If you play a contact sport, be sure to wear a mouthguard to protect your veneers from chipping or breaking.
• Tooth grinding. Grinding your teeth can put excessive pressure on your veneers. If you’re prone to grinding your teeth when you sleep, wear a night time mouthguard to protect your veneers.
• Using your teeth as tools. Don’t use your teeth to try and open objects that you can’t open with your hands or other tools.
• Care with hard foods. Avoid biting down on foods like hard candies, ice, or nuts.

The bottom line

Depending on the type of veneer you choose and other lifestyle factors, the lifespan of a veneer typically lasts anywhere from 5 to 10 years.

When choosing what kind of dental veneer is right for you, you’ll need to weigh several factors, including the short- and long-term cost, the expected lifespan of the veneers, and the appearance you’re hoping to achieve.

Our clinic is conveniently located close to Kew, Mont Albert, Surrey Hills, Hawthorn, Deepdene and Camberwell. Please feel free to contact our caring dentists on 03) 9817 7144 for any of your dental needs.