Dental Veneers: How Long Do They Last?

If you want to improve your smile by getting dental veneers, you are probably concerned about their lifespan. It is ideal to know this before proceeding, as the process involves filing the enamel before application. Hence, it is essential to get every fact you want before committing to this type of cosmetic dentistry.

What Are Dental Veneers?

Veneers are thin covers or shells that your dentist fits on the front part of your teeth to improve your smile. They help address aesthetic problems with your teeth when the dentist places them on your visible teeth. Thus, it is ideal to have veneers that last long. Dental veneers are fragile on their own, but they become strong once they are applied to the surface of your teeth.

Candidates for Veneers

Dental veneers are not suitable for severely damaged teeth. Crowns may be the best option for such a situation. Veneers are a cosmetic dentistry option for people who have teeth that are:

• Fractured.
• Chipped.
• Undersized.
• Discolored.

Benefits of Dental Veneers

Dental veneers match the shade of your natural tooth and thus are difficult to differentiate. They reflect more light, making them look very real. Apart from their cosmetic benefits, they help protect your underlying teeth from becoming more damaged.

However, you still need to maintain good oral hygiene and regular dental checkups. Failure to floss, brush, and visit your dentist routinely can cause dental problems.

How Long Do Veneers Last?

The lifespan of veneers varies depending on the type of veneers used. Porcelain ones can last for an average of 10 years. But if you take good care of them, they can serve you for 20 years.

Composite veneers last for up to three years. They have a shorter lifespan than porcelain veneers because their material is not durable. They also stain with time and require higher maintenance.

Instant veneers comprise many brands, with some claiming that they have the same lifespan as porcelain veneers. But on average, most of these no-prep veneers last nearly five years.

Factors That Affect the Durability of Veneers

Several factors can affect the durability of dental veneers. Before having your dentist install them, note that the state of your teeth can affect how long they last. Also, their material determines their lifespan. For example, no-prep veneers have a longer life span than composite veneers.

Having poor oral hygiene will affect the durability of your veneers. Brush your teeth twice every day and floss once daily. Keep going for routine dental checkups to ensure your dental and oral hygiene are okay. It is also essential to wear mouth protection whenever you play contact sports to avoid accidents that may break or chip your veneers.

People with sleep bruxism tend to shorten the lifespan of their veneers. If you are prone to grinding your teeth when sleeping, you put excess pressure on the dental veneers and damage them. Ideally, you wear a night guard to protect your teeth and dental veneers. Also, using your teeth as tools to open objects or biting on hard foods could damage them.

For more about dental veneers, call Concierge Smile Boutique at (424) 404-6400 to reach our office in Culver City, California.