At Beyond Infinity Dental, we’ve helped thousands of patients achieve their dream smiles using the latest cosmetic dentistry procedures and personalised smile makeovers. Each process is carefully designed to enhance the smile and appearance. One of the most popular procedures we use is dental veneers.
Before undergoing tooth veneers, you’ll want to ensure that your brand new smile will last a long time. But this leads to the question, do veneers last forever? We’ll answer that and everything else you should know about the veneer treatment below.
Firstly, what are veneers?
Dental veneers are either made of composite resin or porcelain material. They are bonded onto the tooth’s front surface to modify its size, length, shape, and colour. So, if you have minor imperfections in your smile, veneers provide an instant way to make your appearance look harmonious and appealing.
What You Should Know About the Veneer Treatment
If you are looking to get dental veneers, here are some facts that you should know. These should help you determine if veneers fit your preferences and lifestyle and can also shed light on the question, “do veneers last forever?”
They can be used to treat teeth misalignment
Cosmetic dentistry procedures like dental veneers are a great option to get a straight smile without having to do any orthodontic treatment if you have crooked teeth or gaps in between your teeth. But this only works for minor alignment issues; anything severe with accompanying bite problems will need braces for better outcomes.
Very conservative treatment
Composite and porcelain veneers are ideal for tooth preservation. While porcelain veneer treatment requires that a small amount of tooth enamel be shaved off, this is minimal compared to other cosmetic dentistry procedures like crowns.
Porcelain veneers are the superior veneer type
Among the types of cosmetic dentistry with veneers, porcelain offers impressive structural durability, functionality, and aesthetics. They are made from a durable, abrasion-resistant, and natural-looking porcelain material and may last a long time compared to composite dental veneers.
Veneers are permanent
Because the tooth was trimmed to make space for dental veneers, once you have them in place, you will always need to have veneers to cover your teeth. This is why we say veneers are permanent.
They do not last a lifetime
And to answer your question, do veneers last forever?
No. Just because veneers are permanent doesn’t mean they can last your entire life.
Daily wear and tear can take a toll on the appearance and durability of the veneers, so you will need to replace them eventually.
On average, composite veneers typically last up to 7 years long.
Meanwhile, porcelain veneers can last even longer with up to 15 years of lifespan.
How to maintain dental veneers?
Not everyone can have porcelain veneers that last more than a decade of their life. The longevity of veneers differs for everyone and highly depends on how you take care of your veneer smile.
Now that you know dental veneers do not last forever, here are some of the best ways to keep them in excellent condition for a long time:
Maintain good oral hygiene
Oral health plays a significant role in the maintenance of dental veneers. Achieve and maintain excellent oral health by practising proper oral hygiene. Take care of your veneers like they are your natural teeth with daily brushing, flossing, and rinsing with a mouthwash. Maintaining good habits can prevent oral health problems like gum disease that may compromise dental veneers.
Don’t forget to floss
Remember that dental veneers are cemented on a natural tooth. So as long as the tooth underneath the veneer is healthy, the shells themselves can last longer. Flossing prevents tooth decay in-between your teeth which usually kickstarts progressive damage to the tooth. It also keeps your gums healthy to avoid gingivitis and gum recession.
Visit your dentist for a routine hygiene appointment
Aside from a stringent at-home hygiene routine, be sure to visit the dentist for professional care and cleaning. This is done every six months for early dental intervention on oral health problems. Professional teeth cleaning also helps to achieve a whole mouth clean by removing dirt and irritants on all tooth surfaces and underneath the gums.
Beware of stains
Porcelain veneers are a stain-resistant restoration, but if you have composite veneers, you need to be extra careful with staining food or drinks in your diet. While it may not manifest early, frequent intake of staining foods like coffee, tea, or wine may stain your teeth in the long run.
Protect your teeth
Even though porcelain veneers have incredible strength, they may still crack with direct application of force. If you do a lot of contact sports, it may be best to wear a mouthguard to prevent direct damage to your veneers. This is also recommended for those who grind or clench their teeth. Also, avoid chewing on food that is too hard or sticky.
Quit smoking
Lastly, keep your porcelain veneers looking pristine by avoiding smoking. Smoking is a risk factor for several dental diseases and can also affect the colour and adhesion of your dental veneers. By quitting smoking, you can keep your veneers looking bright and beautiful for a long time.
Now you know the answer to the question ‘do veneers last forever?’ and how to make them last longer
If you are looking for premium cosmetic dentistry treatments in NSW…
Beyond Infinity Dental can help. We are dentists with vast understanding and skill in cosmetic dental solutions, including the latest porcelain veneers.
And while porcelain veneers do not last forever, our dental team can help you discover ways to prolong their life. If you integrate these tips into your routine, you may find your veneers to last as long, or even longer, than expected.
Call us on (02) 8806 3799 to schedule your cosmetic dentistry appointment!
References:
Healthline – Everything You Need to Know About Composite Veneers
https://www.healthline.com/health/composite-veneers
WebMD – Dental Veneers
https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/veneers
PubMed – Treatment planning for porcelain veneer restoration of crowded teeth by modifying stone models
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11831307/
ResearchGate – The art of minimal tooth reduction for veneer restorations
Colgate – Porcelain vs Composite Veneers: Which Are Better for You?
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/veneers/composite-veneers-other-options
Healthline – How Long Do Veneers Last?
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-long-do-veneers-last
CDC – What is Gum Disease
https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/periodontal-gum-disease.html
