Many people are unhappy with their smile; having discolored or damaged teeth can directly impact one's self-confidence. Dental veneers are considered the most sought for cosmetic dentistry treatment as it helps improve the appearance of teeth. But do veneer offer teeth full protection? Can you still develop dental cavities under theses veneers? In the following article, we will discuss dental veneers in general and whether teeth beneath veneers remain healthy and decay-free?

General outlook of porcelain veneer

Porcelain veneers are custom made thin sheets that are made of porcelain; they are used to correct the size, shape or color of teeth, while they attached to the front surface to give a natural-looking beautiful smile. After the initial consultation with your affordable Dentist in Chandler AZ, they will remove a small amount of your tooth structure to make a room for the veneers. After that, an impression using traditional molding or 3D scanning to help the dental technician fabricates your veneers. As a final step, the porcelain sheets will be glued to the frontal surface of teeth.

Would teeth beneath the veneer always remain decayed-free?

This is a common question that we get asked by our patients often, the short answer is yes, unfortunately porcelain-covered teeth are still susceptible to decay. Porcelain is a very durable material thus it will not decay itself, yet cavities can develop in the tooth that is covered by this veneer. The following are the commonest reasons for having such an issue:

Improper installation of veneers can create a space between the tooth and the veneer, thus bacteria and food particles will sneak in, which will eventually lead to cavities.
Decay at the backside, since the veneers only cover the front side of teeth, the back sides are left unprotected, thus more vulnerable to tooth decay.
Having veneers for a long time, the veneers should last for an average of ten years, keeping them for more than that can make them become loose, in which plaque and food would accumulate and start to attack the underlying tooth.
An already existing decay, having veneer over decayed tooth will not only not cure the decay, but also provide a perfect environment for the decay to progress.

How can you take care of your veneer-covered teeth?

After installing your veneers, you will need to take care of them to keep them in a good state as long as possible. Firstly, choosing your cosmetic dentist wisely, a practitioner that has an intensive veneer experience, so in that way, you will ensure you are provided with excellent service. Secondly, practice proper dental care, by brushing twice a day, flossing to clean between your teeth, and using an antiseptic mouthwash. All of this will reduce the chances of developing dental cavities. Finally, keep regular dental follow-up to evaluate the state of your veneers and the teeth beneath them. In case your dentist notices early signs of decay or that your veneer has become poorly bonded, he/she can fix it early on to prevent the situation from progressing.