Many people wish that they could have a prettier smile but aren’t sure how they can achieve that. Luckily, cosmetic dentistry offers a range of treatments that can whiten, brighten, and reshape teeth to create a gorgeous new grin. If this sounds like a great idea, you may also wonder how long these treatments can last. Here’s a quick guide to a few popular cosmetic dental treatments including how they work, how long they can last, and how to help your results last for as long as possible.
Porcelain Veneers Can Last for Fifteen Years
Porcelain veneers are a versatile dental treatment that can address a range of issues including chips, gaps, cracks, and stains. After a tiny amount of enamel is removed from the teeth being treated, these thin porcelain shells are cemented in place on top of them, covering up defects and giving these teeth new and more pleasing shapes. Since enamel cannot grow back, porcelain veneers are considered an irreversible treatment and can last for fifteen years before needing replacement.
Metal-Free Restorations Can Have a Fifteen-Year Duration
In earlier eras of dentistry, dental crowns were made from metals that, while durable and effective, could be unsightly among a smile of otherwise natural pearly-white teeth. Luckily, modern dental crowns are made from tooth-colored ceramic and zirconia, allowing them to fit in unnoticeably with the rest of your smile. With excellent care, metal-free dental crowns can last for fifteen years or more before replacements are needed.
Teeth Whitening Lasts for About Three Years
People love white and shiny teeth. If you feel like your teeth aren’t quite bright enough, professional teeth whitening treatments may be a great way to lift stains and achieve a more pleasing shade. These treatments come in the form of either an in-office procedure that can be completed in about an hour or a customized take-home kit that can be completed over the course of two weeks. The results of professional teeth whitening treatments can last for three years, but it’s perfectly possible to receive touch-up treatments as needed to preserve your gorgeously bright smile.
The best ways to preserve the results of all of these cosmetic dental treatments are practicing excellent oral hygiene at home, avoiding excessive sugar consumption, seeing your dentist regularly, and never using your teeth to open packages or bottles. Consulting with your dentist can determine if any of these treatments are right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Lauri Barge earned her dental doctorate at Texas A&M College of Dentistry and completed a General Practice Residency at Olin E. Teague VA Hospital in Temple, TX. She is proud to serve as a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Her office in Flower Mound, TX, offers general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as the treatments listed here. To schedule your cosmetic dental consultation, contact her office online or dial (972) 539-3800.