How Long Do Veneers Last?

Brighter the smile –  greater the confidence. But the opposite happens when you feel insecure about your dental imperfections.

Certainly, it is not easy to share an unguarded smile with others. This insecurity gave rise to various dental treatments and one of them is dental veneers. They are thin teeth like shells that are applied to the front part of the teeth mostly to give an even and undamaged look. They make your smile look perfect by hiding the imperfections. But this makes people wonder how long do veneers last? Because you can’t expect any dental procedure to last forever, can you?

Well, porcelain veneers last for almost 10 years. They are thin tooth-colored shells that are applied to the front part of the teeth and give the impression of white and perfectly aligned teeth.

Veneers are a significant investment for many people. Those who want reassurance that their dental veneers will look perfect and will last long invest in them. If you plan to get veneers, your dentist will ask you to choose from these two options: composite and porcelain veneers.

Both have their pros and cons and have different lifespans as well. Let’s find out more about them in detail.

What is the average lifespan of veneers?

How long they last depend on how you take care of them. Whether it’s porcelain or composite veneers, if you are taking good care of them, they will last long. Precisely, porcelain veneers last for up to 10 – 12 years while the composite veneers must be replaced sooner as their average lifespan is 4 – 8 years.

Porcelain and Composite Veneers – What’s the difference?

If we talk about composite veneers, they are composed of a synthetic mix of resin and glass. The mixture is applied to the teeth one by one in the form of layers. On the contrary, porcelain veneers are thin teeth like shells made of porcelain. They are bonded diligently to the front part of the tooth.

Pros of Composite Veneers:

• Less expensive than porcelain veneers
• Cracks on them are repairable if occurs
• Less enamel is removed from them therefore, they are less damaging

Cons of Composite Veneers:

• Stains and cracks happen more easily
• Lifespan is short as compared to porcelain
• Looks unnatural and bulkier

 Pros of Porcelain Veneers:

• More durable and does not get stained easily
• Looks completely natural
• Greater lifespan than composite veneers

Cons of Porcelain veneers:

• Once damaged, you must replace them.
• Long treatments, take 3 days.

How Long Should We Keep Veneers?

You need to replace your veneers at some point in life as they don’t last forever. Their maximum lifespan is 12 years of porcelain and 4 – 8 years for composite; after which they must be replaced. When the time comes, your dentist will redo them.

While removing the old veneers, some amount of enamel gets detached from them which is completely normal. If your teeth do not have enough enamel left to bear a new veneer on them, then a crown is suitable in such cases.

 

When Should We Replace Veneers?

Dental veneers must be replaced if they show certain conditions, like:

• When there appears a fine brown line between the root of the tooth and the veneer.
• When the veneers break or get stained by biting into hard food.
• When they are not bonded properly and develop bacterial growth underneath.

 Do Composite Veneers Need to be Replaced Sooner?

Yes, composite veneers need to be replaced sooner as they are less durable than porcelain veneers. The chip, break and tend to stain more often. This is the reason why they don’t last longer than 8 years.

 Is Getting Veneers a Good Idea?

Dental veneers are suitable for those who have minor dental defects and want to have a brighter and full smile. Their main purpose is to hide the defects and improve the cosmetic appearance of the teeth. Undoubtedly, veneers look completely natural. However, they are not recommended for people with weaker teeth and enamel.

7 Common Reasons to Get Veneers

• Chipped and damaged teeth
• Stained or bruised teeth
• Gapped teeth
• Prominent fillings
• Oddly shaped or broken teeth
• Uneven and unaligned teeth
• Crowding in the mouth

Make sure to consult with your dentist before making a final decision because some people have active gums disease and in such cases veneers don’t work. Always approach a trusted dentist for your dental care and before committing to a treatment plan always go for a test drive first. If they don’t suit you, you still have an option to abandon the treatment.