Dental veneers are a common cosmetic dental treatment that can improve your smile dramatically within a short time. But if you’re planning to transform your smile with veneers, it’s important that you learn as much about this treatment to manage your expectations and ensure that the improvements are long-lasting. 

Here are some things you may not know about veneers:

• Veneers are color-matched to the current shade of your other teeth to create a uniform look. But unlike natural teeth, porcelain veneers cannot be stained, discolored, or bleached to change their color. So over time, your natural teeth will discolor, making the white veneers more dominant. 
• To prevent this, your dentist may recommend whitening before the veneer process so your porcelain veneers are matched to your whitened teeth. Afterward, you will need a regular whitening schedule to maintain a uniform smile. 
• There are two common types of veneers: composite veneers, which are installed in one appointment with minimal tooth preparation, have a shorter life span compared to porcelain veneers. They tend to chip and stain if not looked after. Porcelain veneers, on the other hand, are stain-free and tend to last longer. 
• Although durability depends on how well you care for your veneers, both types should last 10 to 20 years. 

• If you have untreated tooth decay. It is not advisable to simply cover up the infection with dental veneers, as the situation will keep getting worse, increasing the risk of tooth loss. 
• If you have been diagnosed with bruxism. If you grind your teeth or clench your jaws at night, then you might damage your veneers reducing their durability. If you proceed with the treatment, your dentist may offer custom night guards to reduce the stress on your teeth and veneers. 
• If you have a case of malocclusion or bad bite, veneers may not be a suitable treatment for you. Poorly aligned teeth may cause uneven stress on your teeth, such as those fitted with veneers, ruining the restoration. 
• Dental veneers cannot be repaired; only replaced. Though veneers are non-living, the tooth underneath and the surrounding gum tissues are living, and prone to change over time. For instance, shrinkage of the gum line may expose the root surfaces, affecting the position of the veneer relative to the rest of the tooth. In such situations, or if they crack, break, or sustain any other kind of damage, they can be replaced. 

Getting veneers is an investment in your smile. So it’s important that you take good care of them. This includes following a proper at-home oral hygiene regimen and visiting your dentist regularly for professional cleaning and whitening.