When Will I Need to Replace My Porcelain Veneers?

I got my porcelain veneers in 2019. When will I need to replace them? I ask because two have fallen off within the past six months. I got the veneers when I lived abroad for two years because they were much more affordable than U.S. prices. My dentist in TN says that the dentist who placed the veneers didn’t bond them correctly, so my dentist bonded them back. My dentist doesn’t do a lot of porcelain veneers cases, though. How long are porcelain veneers supposed to last, and when will I need to replace them? – Thank you. Klaus

Klaus,

Thank you for your question.

When Will You Need to Replace Your Porcelain Veneers?

Ordinarily, you will need to replace your porcelain veneers every seven to 20 years. The May 2021 issue of the European Journal of Dentistry published an article on the survival rate for porcelain veneers. In a sample of 499 porcelain veneers, the long-term survival rates were reported for five, ten, fifteen, and twenty years. The survival rates for porcelain veneers in the sample are as follows:

• Five years – 98%
• Ten years – 96%
• Fifteen years – 91%
• Twenty years – 91%

The lifespan of your veneers depends on several factors, including:

• Porcelain quality
• Bonding quality
• How well you take care of them

Porcelain veneers are stain resistant, and well-bonded veneers do not fall off. You can ask a skilled cosmetic dentist to examine your veneers in anticipation of future concerns.

What Should You Consider Before Replacing Your Veneers?

We hope your dentist can help you preserve your existing veneers. When it is time for new porcelain veneers, consider the qualifications and credentials of the cosmetic dentist you choose. We recommend the following:

• Look for dentists with extensive post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training.
• Ask family or acquaintances for recommendations.
• Read the dentists’ patient reviews.
• Schedule consultations with at least two cosmetic dentists.
• Ask to see pictures of each dentist’s porcelain veneers cases.
• Express your concerns about your existing veneers and receiving long-lasting replacement veneers.

Best wishes for the health and beauty of your smile.

Rocky Hill, Connecticut, cosmetic dentist Dr. Thaddeus Michalski sponsors this post.

How Long Can I Take Ibuprofen for a Toothache?

How long can I take ibuprofen for a toothache? I have put off seeing a dentist for the past three months for an upper right toothache. I think that I have waited too long because it’s throbbing now. The pain went from moderate to severe over the weekend. I am leaving next week for a vacation in Seattle to see family and friends and will be there for three weeks. I am concerned that I might need a root canal. If I see a dentist now, I might miss my trip, but I don’t want to go to an out-of-state emergency room for a toothache. You probably can tell that I have dental anxiety, which is why I have delayed treatment. Can I keep taking ibuprofen for three weeks until I return? Thank you. Brad from NH

Brad,

Thank you for your question. Your concerns about your toothache and how long you can use ibuprofen to minimize the discomfort are valid.

How Long Can You Take Ibuprofen for a Toothache?

According to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Ibuprofen Drug Facts Label, you should stop taking the drug if the pain worsens or lasts more than ten days. Taking too much ibuprofen increases these risks:

• Severe bleeding
• Stomach ulcers
• Kidney damage

Also, the FDA warns that long-term continuous ibuprofen use increases the risk of heart attack or stroke.

When Does a Toothache Become an Emergency?

A toothache becomes an emergency when you have prolonged, nagging pain from decay or trauma. But a hospital emergency room cannot resolve the cause of your toothache. Only a dentist can x-ray your tooth and determine whether you have a tooth infection or abscess, and only a dentist can provide the treatment you need.

See a Dentist for a Prolonged Toothache

If you have a prolonged toothache, schedule an appointment with a dentist. Many general dentists leave time in their daily schedule to see patients with dental emergencies. If you call after-hours, you can leave a message, and an on-call dentist will contact you. If you need root canal treatment, you may be able to find a dentist to schedule it before your departure.

Without dental care, you can experience the following complications:

• The tooth infection will spread
• The infection can affect other teeth or your bone
• You may be at risk of losing the tooth

If you cannot see a dentist before your leave for Seattle, rather than seeking a hospital emergency room in Seattle, look for a skilled dentist there willing to examine and x-ray your tooth and provide treatment. Explain your anxiety, and the dentist will discuss sedation options to relax you during treatment.

Dr. Thaddeus Michalski, a Rocky Hill, Connecticut dentist, sponsors this post.