How Long Do Veneers Last? It Depends.

How long veneers last depends on various factors, including whether they are porcelain or composite resin, how well you take care of them, and the state of your teeth before you get them on. This article discusses the time frame in which they last and how to help them last longer.

Whether you are looking for a full mouth reconstruction or a cosmetic fix, veneers may be a good option for you. While the process is irreversible, they are not permanent- meaning they will eventually need to be replaced with new ones. The longevity of your veneers depends on what type of material is used to create them, how well you maintain oral hygiene and the state of your actual teeth.

What are veneers?

Veneers are a simple solution in dentistry to fixing your smile. They come in porcelain and composite resin and serve as a thin shell bound to the front and sides of your tooth to improve the overall appearance of your teeth, gums, and smile. Their primary purpose is to fix damaged/cracked/chipped teeth, discolored teeth, misaligned teeth, small teeth (microdontia), misshapen teeth, gaps between teeth, or irregular gum lines.

Am I a good candidate for veneers?

Ultimately, booking an appointment with a dentist and discussing your options is the best to determine if you are a good candidate. The following are conditions or reasons that a dentist might decide they are not a good fit for you:

• Bruxism (teeth grinding)

• If you clench or grind your jaw

• Nail-biting

  • All of these conditions may affect the binding of your veneers and may cause damage to them. However, a simple solution such as wearing a mouth guard during sports or sleep may fix this problem and reduce risk.

• Poor oral hygiene

  • Will lessen the lifespan of your veneers and may be a disqualifying condition.

• Severe tooth misalignment

  • Veneers can only cosmetically fix the appearance of specific minor tooth alignments. If your teeth are extremely crooked, it might not be an option.

• Enamel & gum health

  • A dentist needs to shave off the top layer of your enamel to correctly bond the veneers to your teeth slightly. Without healthy enamel, the process may not be able to be done correctly.
  • Healthy gums are pertinent to maintaining any cosmetic appliance. If you have gum disease, it is essential to discuss treating it with your dentist first, before the procedure.

How long will my veneers last?

Porcelain veneers typically last the longest, with average statistics ranging from 8 to 20 years. This is because porcelain is nearly equally as strong as your teeth. Composite resin veneers last on average 4 to 10 years and are more likely to crack than porcelain. Both types mimic the color of healthy, white teeth and can withstand the average diet and wear and tear as long as proper care is maintained.

How can I make my veneers last longer?

• Be careful when eating hard foods.
  • Biting down on hard candies and eating ice or nuts can put you at risk of chips, cracks, or other damage to your veneers

• Maintain good oral hygiene
  • Brushing your teeth twice a day for two minutes and regular flossing will help maintain a healthy mouth and prevent decay or damage to your existing teeth, which may cause veneers to fall off, infection, gum recession exposing the top of the veneer, or the lifting of the binding from the surface of your enamel.
  • Regular cleanings will polish your veneers and keep them whiter.

TIP: Avoid abrasive toothpaste, which may cause the porcelain to lose its luster and light-reflecting qualities.

• Avoid eating and drinking things that can stain your teeth
  • Typical over-the-counter teeth whitening treatments do not respond well to porcelain and composite veneers.
  • Veneers are susceptible to staining, so try to avoid drinks like coffee, red wine, cola, tea, and juice and food with dyes, soy sauce, and berries/highly pigmented vegetables. When you can’t avoid them, try using a straw or brushing your teeth after consuming them.
  • Tobacco products will yellow your veneers.

• Protect your mouth
  • If you do contact sports or tend to grind your teeth in your sleep, make sure to wear a mouthguard.

• Don’t use your teeth as tools.
  • Opening packaging and other materials with your teeth risks cracks and damage to your veneers. Avoid this whenever possible.

Bottom line…

If you take care of your teeth, gums, and veneers, they can potentially last you 20 years! That’s both time and money saved. Ultimately, they will wear and eventually have to get replaced. But don’t panic. If a veneer begins to lift from the surface of your tooth, causes pain, is discolored, or falls off, a dentist is here to help you.

Dr. Charles Dennis and his team are here to assist you with restoring your smile and maintaining it. If you are in the Northeastern Pennsylvania, Scranton area and are interested in more information about cosmetic dentistry, a full-mouth restoration, or porcelain veneers, use the online booking form or call the office at (570) 587-4031 today!