Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dental solutions. These ultra-thin ceramic shells are custom-designed to cover imperfections like chips, gaps, or discoloration, helping you achieve a flawless, natural-looking smile.

Patients often ask us, “How long do porcelain veneers last?” and “What care is required to make them last longer?” This comprehensive guide will answer those questions and more. You’ll learn how to extend the lifespan of your porcelain veneers, how they compare to alternatives like dental implants, and what daily care routines are essential to maintaining your perfect smile.

What Are Porcelain Veneers? 

Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted to improve your smile by covering dental flaws. These veneers are placed on the teeth to improve their appearance by masking issues such as discoloration, chipping, cracking, gaps between teeth, or even slight misalignment.

Porcelain Veneers are a purely cosmetic dental solution, as opposed to implants, where missing teeth are replaced with artificial roots and crowns, dentures, or dental bridges.

Due to their stain resistance and natural appearance, porcelain veneers are rapidly becoming the most preferred option for smile makeovers.

How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?

Porcelain veneers can last 10 to 15 years, but with proper care, they can last even longer. However, with proper maintenance, they could last 20 years or more.

Many factors determine the lifespan of porcelain veneers, including the quality of the materials, the skill of the dentist, and the patient’s oral hygiene and lifestyle.

As per AAMD, their average lifespan is 12 years. However, with skilled craftsmanship, veneers can outlast the average life expectancy by a significant measure.

Factors Influencing Veneer Longevity

• Material Quality: At Brite Arch Dentistry, we utilize high-grade porcelain, which is far less likely to chip or stain over time.
• Dentist Expertise: The best results are achieved from the work of a skilled cosmetic dentist, depending on the preparation and bonding, which need to be adequately executed in order to get a lasting fit.
• Hygiene: Routine brushing, flossing, and dentist visits help eliminate decay and gum issues, which could lead to compromising the strength of the veneer.
• Lifestyle: Refraining from destructive habits, such as habitual grinding of teeth or chewing on hard objects, extends the life of the porcelain veneer.

When compared to composite resin veneers, which are generally more affordable.

The previously mentioned techniques significantly extend the anticipated lifespan of the latter to approximately 5-7 years. It is also owing to their susceptibility to staining and the lower durability of the composite.

Veneers Care: Tips for Maintaining Porcelain Veneers’ Longevity

Taking care of your porcelain veneers properly aids in increasing their lifespan. One should consider these steps from professionals to maintain your veneers and smile appealing:

Maintain Proper Hygiene of the Mouth

• Brushing: Clean the surface with a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste using a soft-bristled toothbrush, scrubbing your veneers gently and thoroughly twice a day.
• Flossing: Reduce plaque accumulation around the veneers with floss to help minimize the probability of gum disease, which leads to painful gum recession, exposing the margins of the veneer.
• Mouthwash: Avoid mouthwashes that contain alcohol, as they may weaken the bonds between the veneers and teeth that hold the veneers in place.

Stop Consumption of Staining Foods and Drinks

Although porcelain veneers are usually stain-resistant, their opposing teeth and the adhesive will still discolor. You should narrow down your intake of specific foods and drinks, such as:

• Coffee, tea, and red wine
• Berries, some dark-colored sauces
• Tobacco

These products will require rinsing the mouth regularly with water to reduce staining.

Start Protecting Against Damage

It is important to avoid consuming hard foods such as nuts, apples, and ice. They should be cut into smaller pieces to avoid chipping or cracking veneers when bitten into.

Avoid using teeth for opening packages and nail-biting as these could result in damage to the veneers.

Deal with Bruxism to Prevent Teeth Grinding

Grinding or clenching your teeth can wear down or crack your veneers. Should you have bruxism, inquire with your dentist at Brite Arch Dentistry about the option of custom night guards for veneers.

Set Dental Check-up Appointments

Do not forget to visit your dentist every 6 months for cleanings and examinations. Cleanings that are professional in nature help get rid of plaque buildup. Also, issues like cracks or gum recession, if detected early, can save you the trouble of a replacement.

Use a Sports Mouth Protector

For those who play contact sports, custom-made mouthguards are meant to protect your veneers from chipping or cracking due to impact.

What to Know About Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain Veneers facts: 

Procedure that can’t be undone: While applying veneers, there is always a small amount of enamel that needs to be removed (about 0.5-1mm), leaving the process irreversible.

Therefore, once you get veneers, there will always be a need to maintain or replace them to safeguard your underlying teeth.

Cost: Ranges from $900 to $2,500, with the average sitting at $1,500 per tooth. Depending on the area, expertise of the dentist and the complexity of the case, costs will vary.

Unlike dental implants, which are partially covered by insurance for functional reasons, veneers are cosmetic and not easily covered.

Not a Substitute for Implants:

Veneers work on improving oral health, whereas dental implants provide a replacement for missing teeth. If you have unhealthy or absent teeth, it’s best to speak with your dentist to identify which treatment is most suitable.

Minimal Discomfort: Veneer application procedures require local anesthesia. Any tenderness following the procedure typically heals within a few days.

Replacement Is Common: Despite the care given, veneers will need to be replaced over time due to wear and tear, gum recession, or shifts in bite. Replacement is simple; it entails the removal of an old veneer and the bonding of a new one.

Porcelain Veneers vs. Dental Implants

Together, the treatments enhance smiles; however, they serve different functions:

Porcelain Veneers: Most appropriate for cosmetics to nice yet flawed teeth. They entail slight alteration to the affected tooth structure and are faster to apply (2-3 visits).

Dental Implants: Most appropriate for absent or extremely damaged teeth. Requires the surgical insertion of a titanium root and crown, which offers a permanent solution but takes longer (several months).

At Brite Arch Dentistry we evaluate your oral health and objectives to personalize your most preferred solution.

In cases where patients with intact dentition desire a makeover of their smile, the preferred option is porcelain because it looks natural and is highly durable.

What do We at Brite Arch Dentistry Offer?

At Brite Arch Dentistry, we prioritize quality and patient satisfaction. You can trust that your veneers will be crafted using state-of-the-art technology and premium porcelain that seamlessly integrates with your natural teeth.

Our experienced cosmetic dentists will meticulously manage every aspect of your treatment, from precise bonding to customizing our services to ensure the durability of your veneers.

Furthermore, we provide personalized advice on the best practices for maintaining your veneers and conduct comprehensive follow-up assessments to monitor their condition.

Closing Statement

Your smile can be enhanced significantly by porcelain veneers as they offer a natural-looking solution for a period of 10 to 15 years; in the case of proper maintenance, this duration can be increased.

The longevity of the veneers can be ensured by maintaining oral hygiene, avoiding detrimental practices, routine visits to Brite Arch Dentistry, good dental check-ups, and smooth smile maintenance.

Veneers improve the aesthetics of already intact teeth, while dental implants deal with absent teeth. Are you interested in booking an appointment to explore the natural porcelain veneers?

Call Brite Arch Dentistry and take the first step towards achieving that stunning smile.