When you upgrade your smile with the help of cosmetic dentistry, you aren’t just spending money on a dental procedure. You’re making an important investment in your self-confidence, self-esteem, and oral health. Still, despite its incredible value, it makes sense that you want to know how long you can expect your treatment to last before you pay for it. Here’s a closer look at the estimated lifespan of some popular cosmetic dentistry treatments, and what you can do to ensure your gorgeous grin sticks around for as long as possible!
Veneers
Veneers are thin, porcelain shells that fit over your existing teeth change the shape, size, spacing, and color in one convenient, long-lasting treatment. Exactly how long your veneers last, however, often comes down to how well you care for them. While these lifelike restorations can last up to 20 or more years with proper care, brushing and flossing daily, visiting your dentist regularly, avoiding foods that are too hard or sticky, and not using your teeth as tools can all extend their lifespan for as long as possible.
Metal-Free Dental Restorations
Metal-free dental restorations are often just as durable and long-lasting as their metal predecessors, but once again this often comes down to how well you care for them. Brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits will help keep the underlying teeth healthy and strong, and avoiding anything hard or sticky can keep the restoration in place for years to come. Depending on the type and placement within the mouth (treatments on front teeth tend to last longer), your metal-free restorations could last up to 15 years.
Cosmetic Dental Bonding
Cosmetic dental bonding is a fast and painless way to repair teeth that have deep stains, chipped edges, or minor gaps. Using the same, durable, lifelike composite resin your dentist uses in tooth-colored fillings, this treatment could last about five years with proper care.
Teeth Whitening
While the results you get from teeth whitening are considered permanent, it is still very possible to re-stain them again. Thus, to maintain the beautiful shade you get after treatment, be sure to eat a “white diet” in the first three days following your procedure, avoid darkly pigmented foods and beverages going forward, and maintain your oral health and hygiene by flossing daily, brushing twice a day, and visiting your dentist ever six months for your regular dental cleanings and exams.
Remember, the choice to invest in your smile can make incredible improvements to your oral and mental health, but to get the most from your smile and your money, you’ll need to protect your teeth and gums with a solid at-home oral hygiene routine and regular visits to your dentist.
About Dr. Frandsen
Dr. Brian Frandsen earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry in 1998 and moved to Utah several years later. Today, he has multiple practices in the Greater Utah Valley, all with the same goal: to provide excellent oral healthcare to people of all ages, and to build lasting relationships with his patients. To schedule a consultation for cosmetic dentistry at Frandsen Dental of Orem, visit our website or call us today at 801-224-7900.