Porcelain Veneers Lifespan and Replacement
Porcelain veneers, custom crafted to fit your smile perfectly, are built to be as durable and long-lasting as they are dazzling. But even the toughest material doesn’t always last forever. Restorative and cosmetic dentist Edward Narcisi, DMD, has outfitted hundreds of Pittsburgh patients with porcelain veneers, and has also furnished replacements when original veneers become worn down with age. But whether you already have porcelain veneers or are just considering the procedure, you may be wondering how long a set of veneers can really last.
How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?
Everyone is different, and differences in daily routines, from eating schedules to favorite foods, can have a subtle effect on how long a person’s porcelain veneers will ultimately last. Still, the dental structures are much stronger than their name would suggest. These days, most dentists say that the average set of porcelain veneers will last in the range of 10 to 15 years.
With that said, there are some bad habits that can significantly reduce the lifespan of your dental veneers. Habits such as grinding your teeth (also known as bruxism) or biting your nails can wear down strong porcelain veneers. Proper dental hygiene is also as important as ever - brushing and flossing every day is critical to ensure that your porcelain veneers remain clean and free from stains, and to avoid introducing bacteria and the potential for cavities to develop in your natural tooth that still remains underneath the veneer.
On the other hand, by avoiding bad habits and staying mindful of proper hygiene, you can be sure to get the maximum usage out of your veneers. With optimum care, you may find your porcelain veneers lasting up to 20 years or more.
Are Porcelain Veneer Replacements Covered By Insurance?
When you first had porcelain veneers placed, the procedure was probably not covered by your dental insurance - most dental insurance plans consider porcelain veneers purely a cosmetic procedure, and as such leave patients to pay for the treatment out of pocket.
Porcelain veneer replacement, on the other hand, is a very different story. Because it is necessary to reshape the tooth and shave away some of its protective enamel in order to attach them, porcelain veneer installation is an irreversible procedure - once they have taken that step forward, patients can never go back to using their natural teeth in the same way again. Because of this, replacing a cracked, broken, or altogether missing porcelain veneer can be considered a necessary medical procedure to restore an adequate quality of life. Be sure to consult with your dental insurance provider to find out their policy regarding porcelain veneer replacement.
Contact Your Cosmetic Dentistry Specialist Today
With the right care, you can look forward to decades of bright and vibrant smiles with your original porcelain veneers. But when the time comes, your cosmetic dentist can update your smile with ease through a porcelain veneer replacement procedure. Contact the cosmetic dentistry office of Dr. Edward Narcisi, DMD, to learn more about your porcelain veneers and replacement options today.
