Veneers in Palo Alto

This mostly depends on how well you take care of your veneers, but most patients can keep a set of veneers for 15 to 20 years. Over time, your veneers may wear down, and you may need to have individual veneers repaired or replaced.

The best way to prolong the lifespan of your veneers is to brush and floss properly, and to see your dentist in Palo Alto every six months for a teeth cleaning and oral exam. You should also avoid doing things that could break or dislodge your veneers, such as chewing non-food objects, chewing hard foods with your front teeth, or using your teeth as tools

Veneers are typically made of ceramic porcelain materials that look and feel just like natural tooth enamel. Porcelain can be matched to the color of your teeth and is very similar to enamel in hardness and translucence, making it an ideal option. Resin veneers are also available, but they are typically only used as temporary veneers because resin does not look as natural, and is not nearly as durable compared to porcelain ceramic veneers.

Veneers and Lumineers are basically the same, with one big difference. Lumineers are much thinner than traditional veneers, because they’re made out of a special, proprietary ceramic material. They are usually only about 0.2mm thick, compared to the 0.5mm thickness of traditional veneers. Because of this, Lumineers can often be placed without trimming your existing enamel. This is why they’re often called “no-prep” or “minimal-prep” veneers.

The cost of veneers will vary depending on how many teeth you're covering up, your oral health, the location of each tooth, and a variety of other factors. The best way to get an accurate cost estimate is to contact Dr. Qian for a cosmetic consultation. Dr. Qian can examine your mouth, assess your oral health, and give you a quote for the cost of treatment with veneers.

Veneers are made of durable, stain-resistant materials. However, they can become discolored and damaged over time if they regularly withstand wear and tear and staining substances. You should practice good oral hygiene in the same way you would for your natural teeth. 

You should use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste to gently brush your teeth twice a day. Flossing is recommended at least once a day. Teeth grinding can be very detrimental to veneers and can cause chips or cracks. 

While you are not the best candidate for veneers if you suffer from bruxism, you may be able to get veneers if you agree to wear a mouthguard when you sleep each night. You should also avoid using your teeth as tools, chewing on fingernails, ice, or other objects. 

Hard foods can also cause damage to veneers, so you should avoid excessively hard, sticky, and crunchy foods like popcorn, caramel, hard candy, and popcorn. Try to chew with the back of your teeth rather than your front teeth.

Even though porcelain is a stain-resistant material, it can become discolored over time. You should avoid smoking cigarettes and using tobacco products, which can discolor your veneers. Staining foods and drinks should also be kept to a minimum. 

These would include things like tea, coffee, red wine, dark-colored sauces, soda, and berries. Drinking through a straw can help reduce staining. It’s in your best interest to reduce staining and discoloration in your veneers because they do not respond to teeth whitening. 

Dental cleanings can remove surface stains and plaque buildup that may cause some discoloration to your veneers. However, if your veneers become severely discolored, you will need to have them replaced.

No, as long as you see a qualified and experienced dentist to perform the veneer procedure, they will not cause any damage to your teeth. The preparation process involves removing .5 mm of your natural tooth enamel to prevent the veneers from sticking out. 

However, this is not a problem because the veneers bond to your enamel, which reinforces their strength and durability. Veneers actually protect your teeth by providing an extra layer of protection and strength. 

While you will need to have them replaced after 10-15 years, this doesn’t cause damage to your teeth. But, it’s important to understand that once you have your enamel shaved down, you will need to keep your teeth covered with veneers for the rest of your life. 

This is a permanent procedure that cannot be reversed. You will still need to practice good oral hygiene and attend regular dental visits to ensure you don’t cause any harm to your teeth or veneers.