If you have cracked or discoloured teeth, you may cover your mouth when smiling or stifle your laughter in social situations. If you want to smile confidently again, you may be considering dental veneers. Whether you choose composite or porcelain veneers, you can dramatically improve your smile instantly.
However, many interested patients are concerned about the price of cosmetic dentistry and worry that their veneers won’t last long enough to justify the expense. So, how long do veneers last? Several factors, including the type of dental veneers you have, your dental health when you get them fitted, and how well you follow your dentist’s maintenance instructions can all affect how long your dental veneers last.
What Can Veneers Cover?
Dental veneers can conceal a wide variety of teeth problems, including discolouration, misshapen or crooked teeth, cracks, chips, stains and short teeth. They can also help replace eroded enamel, which can cause your teeth to look uneven and result in a higher chance of cavities.
Unlike dental crowns and other cosmetic dentistry options, veneers only cover the tooth’s front with a shell and require healthy teeth for a successful new smile.
Types of Veneers
At Available Dental Care, we offer two types of veneers: Composite resin and porcelain.
Composite resin veneers are often cheaper and only require one appointment. Composite resin is a tooth-coloured material that your dentist bonds to your tooth, giving it a whiter, cleaner look. The process begins with the Digital Dental Smile technology, which your dentist uses to create a customised smile that meets your approval.
Once you have agreed on how your smile will look, your dentist prepares your teeth for the composite resin veneer, with a thorough cleaning and removal of some enamel. They then apply glue, followed by the composite veneer. They use a blue light to bond it to your teeth, helping it stay attached for three to five years.
Because composite resin is a relatively porous material, it is prone to chipping and staining. You may need to polish your veneer, either at home or with your dentist.
Porcelain veneers are a more durable option. At Available Dental Care, you can choose between ceramic and porcelain veneers, both of which are stain-resistant and look like natural teeth. Your dentist shaves off some enamel on your tooth at your first appointment to prepare it for the veneer. Using the Digital Dental Smile Concept, your dentist takes several photographs of your mouth and teeth and works with you to create your ideal smile. The images are sent to a laboratory where they make your porcelain veneers. You will be fitted with temporary veneers.
After one to two weeks, the lab sends your porcelain veneers, and your dentist calls you in for a second appointment. After confirming the veneer fits your smile, they apply them and bond them to your teeth with dental cement and a special light—these porcelain veneers last ten to fifteen years.
Several weeks after you receive your dental veneers, you may need to return to your dentist for a follow-up appointment.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
The answer to how long do veneers last changes depending on which type of veneer you choose. While cheaper, composite resin veneers usually last between three and five years, sometimes lasting for up to seven years. Porcelain veneers are more durable and stain-resistant, lasting up to fifteen years with proper care.
However, you can damage your dental veneers by drinking staining beverages, through a sports injury, or lack of oral hygiene. Although your dentist may be able to fix a damaged veneer, they may require replacement sooner than expected.
How To Extend Your Dental Veneers’ Lifespan?
There are several ways to limit your dental veneers’ damage, whether you choose to get composite resin or porcelain. Follow these tips to keep your dental veneers white and intact for longer.
- Adhere to a strict oral hygiene routine
- Don’t smoke
- Avoid dark foods, like red sauce or coffee; if you eat them, rinse your teeth soon after
- Wear a mouthguard when playing contact sports, or a nightguard if you grind your teeth at night
- Don’t use your teeth to open bottles or packages, since this can crack the veneer
Get Your Dental Veneers Today
If you want to learn more about dental veneers or our other cosmetic dentistry services, call us to schedule an initial consultation on (02) 4062 8763. One of our experienced dentists will assess your smile and discuss how dental veneers can improve your oral health and self-confidence. Using our digital technology, you’ll receive your veneers quickly, customised to your smile.