Having a complete cosmetic dental makeover takes time and money. Between the two, you are investing quite a bit into your appearance. It’s important to understand how long that investment will last, and what steps can be made to prolong the life of your makeover.

No dental work lasts forever. While they can have long-term effects, eventually more work will probably have to be done, at least to maintain the appearance that the cosmetic dental makeover gave you. Some are optional, others are necessary.

For example, teeth whitening is a very common form of procedure. Over time, the whitening fades. But because the whitening is not something that makes permanent changes to the tooth structure, the choice to go through the procedure again is completely optional. Neither choice will cause damage to your teeth – at least from a health standpoint.

However, if you choose to have porcelain veneers or crowns placed, you will always need the veneer or crown on that particular tooth. So if the crown deteriorates, or the veneer breaks off or cracks, you will need to have it replaced with another. Each situation is different, so talk to your dentist about this.

When you approach a dentist about a cosmetic dental makeover, ask questions. Make sure that you are aware of the expected longevity of the makeover, and what options you have to deal with it when it begins to fade or deteriorate.