Can You Get Cavities with Porcelain Veneers?

You may think that with porcelain veneers in North Sarasota, your regular teeth are untouchable. While they do have a protective barrier over the front of them thanks to the thin porcelain sheath that exists, they are still susceptible to decay and disease. How is this possible? If they’re covered, how can cavities still form? To better understand how your natural teeth can continue to be at risk, read on to find out what your local cosmetic dentist suggests in order to prevent dental problems from developing.

Why Are Porcelain Veneers Not Decay-Protective?

When you and your cosmetic dentist decide to place porcelain veneers over your teeth, you should know that the thin sheath is only covering the surface of each individual tooth. That is, only the visible side of your teeth are covered.

Known to fully transform the look of a person’s smile, veneers do resist staining better than regular tooth enamel and are durable to protect against chips and cracks; however, because the backside and chewing surfaces of your natural teeth are not covered, this makes them susceptible to cavities.

How Is It Possible for Teeth with Veneers to Decay?

There is a multitude of reasons as to why decay can plague your teeth even with porcelain veneers in place. Some of the most common include:

• Improper placement: If your veneers are not placed by a skilled cosmetic dentist in North Sarasota, the natural part of your tooth that remains exposed can experience decay, especially since a small portion of your enamel is removed.
• Poor oral hygiene: Just because you have porcelain veneers doesn’t mean they don’t require regular cleaning. Maintaining a good oral hygiene regime is imperative for preventing decay and disease. Not to mention, regular checkups and cleanings by your dental professional every six months are necessary to remove harmful plaque and tartar.
• Medications: If you take certain medications, it is highly likely that you can experience dry mouth, which makes you vulnerable to tooth decay.

It is also possible that if your oral health was questionable when you received porcelain veneers, there is a good chance that decay and disease already existed. If this is the case, not only will you have to pay for the restorative work you will need to address your dental problems, but you’ll also have to pay, again, for your veneer placement. This is why it is important that you and your dentist talk about your oral and overall health before moving forward with any type of cosmetic treatment.

To prevent your dental health from worsening or becoming problematic in the first place, never stop brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth. Keeping up with your oral hygiene with or without veneers is the most effective way to prevent problems from the start.

About the Author
Dr. Warren Hoffman understands the importance of a beautiful smile, but he also wants to ensure that you have a healthy one, too. Using his expertise, knowledge, and training, he and his team at Parkway Ridge Dental want to inform you on why you should take care of your regular teeth no matter what type of restorative or cosmetic dentistry service you have received. Decay and disease can still develop underneath, which is why regular checkups and cleanings and good oral hygiene is practiced at home.

Dr. Hoffman earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from SUNY Binghamton before going on to attend dental school in Baltimore, Maryland. Receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, he completed an externship during his senior year, providing dental services to stationed members of the United States Coast Guard in Honolulu, Hawaii. As a cosmetic dentist, Dr. Hoffman can improve your smile using a variety of treatments, including direct bonding or porcelain veneers. To learn more about these cosmetic services and more, contact us at (941) 358-8830.