When you first get your new set of veneers, you’ll be stunned by how incredible they look. After just a few dental appointments, years worth of damage will completely disappear, leaving you with the perfect smile that you’ve always dreamed of.
However, if you suffered from cavities before getting them, you might wonder if your shiny new teeth could suffer the same fate. The answer is a little bit complicated; here’s what you should know.
How Does Tooth Decay Happen?
First of all, it may be worth reviewing how cavities actually develop. Most people have some amount of unhealthy bacteria in their mouth, no matter how good their oral hygiene is. These bacteria feed on sugar and secrete acids, acids that can erode the enamel if they’re allowed to pile up. This is why eating sweets can contribute to cavities.
Can a Veneer Develop a Cavity?
Most veneers are made out of porcelain, which has a couple of advantages over your natural enamel. The one most relevant here is that it’s resistant to acid erosion. For this reason, there is essentially no risk of a veneer developing a cavity.
What About the Veneer-Covered Teeth?
However, veneers only cover the front of your tooth, providing you with limited protection. That being the case, it’s still very possible for the enamel behind your veneer to develop a cavity if you don’t take care of your teeth properly.
What Happens if a Veneered Tooth Develops a Cavity?
If you have veneers, it is crucially important that you continue to take good care of your teeth. It’s possible that the connection between the veneer and the tooth could become compromised, causing it to come loose. Even if that doesn’t happen, cavities will need to be treated in order to prevent them getting worse and causing severe discomfort, which necessitates removing the veneer anyway.
All this to say that when you develop tooth decay under your veneer, it will usually have to be replaced. If you want to save the time and money it will take to do that, you should maintain solid dental hygiene for as long as you have your veneers.
About Our Practice
When you visit Barker, Rohner and Hunt DMD, you’ll be able to see firsthand the effort we put in to giving our patients a truly exceptional experience. From our dedicated dental team, to our comfortably furnished office, to the cutting edge technology we use to make our dental care more effective, we’ll do everything that we can to make your every moment you spend here is as good as it can be through every step of the process.
If you have any questions about veneers, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (919) 847-7100.
