Cosmetic Dentistry, its Lifespan, and What You Can Do to Keep Your Smile Shining

One of the things that draws people to cosmetic dentistry is its ability to turn back the clock on your smile. Whether you’ve seen your teeth darken over the years or you’ve sustained an unfortunate amount of damage to your smile, there’s a treatment out there that’s capable of helping you.

However, speaking of time, you might start to wonder how long you can expect the results of your cosmetic treatment to last. If you’re curious, here’s what you should know about the typical lifespan of your cosmetic dental work.

How Long will Cosmetic Dental Work Last?

It can be a little bit difficult to determine for sure how long your dental work is going to stick around without knowing a few things first. As you can imagine, one of the main determining factors is precisely what treatment you’re getting.

In general, the results of faster and easier treatments are likely to fade quicker than those of more intensive procedures. Teeth whitening will likely brighten your smile for anywhere from 1-3 years. Veneers, on the other hand, will usually endure for decades.

Then there’s the quality of your dental hygiene. If you take good care of your teeth, you can generally extend the life of your dental work; on the contrary, a lack of upkeep may cause the results to fade prematurely.

What You Can Do to Extend the Life of Your Cosmetic Dentistry

Thankfully, it isn’t all that difficult to maintain your teeth. The most important aspects of dental hygiene are probably things you’re already doing: brushing, flossing, and frequently using mouthwash. You should also make frequent preventive visits to your dentist, who will be able to perform any necessary touch-ups.

Depending on the treatment you receive, there may also be specialized upkeep guidelines you will want to keep in mind. For example, veneers can be damaged by some common kinds of toothpaste (e.g., those with baking soda or charcoal). This means that it’s a good idea to talk to the dentist who completes your treatment about your particular situation. They will be able to give you personalized advice, affording you a greater sense of what you can do to keep your teeth shining well into the future.

About Our Practice

At Edgewood Dental, we know that patients don’t always see the best that dentistry has to offer. Improving your oral health is about loving your smile and being able to project confidence that you may not be able to otherwise. When you visit our office, you’ll receive dental care that is completely personalized to you, allowing you to get all the care you need to get the smile you’re looking for with no stress.

If you have any questions about cosmetic dentistry, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (219) 898-4545.