Do Porcelain Veneers Require Replacement?
A good car may be built to last, but its parts often need replacement after years of steady use. Porcelain veneers often work very much in the same way. For the healthiest looking smile, you may find that at least some of your veneers will require replacement over time. Drs. Bill Stofer and Jason Hemphill of Dental Solutions have placed many porcelain veneers for Warsaw patients, as well as replacements when patients’ original veneers have reached the end of their lifespan.
Why Would My Porcelain Veneers Need Replacement?
Porcelain veneers may be only a thin shell of protection over your natural teeth, but they are built to be strong and durable. New technology has helped to make porcelain veneers even more durable in recent years. Today, with proper care and a good daily dental hygiene routine, a set of porcelain veneers can last 15 to 20 years or perhaps even more.
Nonetheless, porcelain veneers are still susceptible to the same types of damage as a natural tooth. It is necessary to keep up a strict hygiene regimen in order to prevent staining of the veneers, as well as bacteria build-up and decay in your natural teeth, which are still exposed behind the veneers.
The lifespan of a set of porcelain veneers can also vary greatly depending on a person’s habits. Teeth grinding, a habit also known as bruxism, as well as chewing on hard objects like ice or your nails can wear porcelain veneers down quickly or encourage them to chip, crack, or pop off of a tooth completely. Once this happens, veneer replacement becomes mandatory.
Is Porcelain Veneers Replacement Necessary?
When your cosmetic dentist is preparing you for the placement of porcelain veneers, several steps are taken. One of those steps is to remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth so that they will be able to better accommodate veneers. While this step is necessary for the placement of traditional porcelain veneers, it also means that having porcelain veneers placed is a permanent procedure: once it is done, it is essentially impossible to go back to teeth without veneers later on.
This means that it is very necessary to replace veneers that have broken, gone missing, or have worn down with age. Living with broken or missing veneers can hinder your ability to perform everyday tasks like chewing food and talking, and can also deliver a blow to your self-confidence.
Is Porcelain Veneer Replacement Covered By My Insurance?
When having porcelain veneers placed for the first time, you most likely had to pay out of pocket due to the fact that most insurance providers consider veneers a purely cosmetic procedure. Porcelain veneers replacement, on the other hand, may be covered by your insurance due to the fact that upkeep and replacement is medically necessary once teeth have been prepped for initial veneer placement. If you are in need of veneer replacement, talk to your insurance provider about your options.
Contact Your Porcelain Veneers Dentist Today
Don’t let chipped or missing porcelain veneers ruin the flawless smile you worked so hard for. Contact Drs. Bill Stofer and Jason Hemphill of Dental Solutions to schedule an appointment and learn more about the necessity and cost of porcelain veneer replacement today.
