When they are done by an experienced dental professional, your dental veneers can last for more than 10 years, depending on the type of material used and your level of dental hygiene. If you want to improve the appearance of your smile you probably want the best long term solution. Let’s take a closer look at how long do veneers last, and what you can do to take good care of them.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Veneers fall under the banner of cosmetic dentistry as they change the appearance of your teeth. While they do make your teeth a bit stronger, their primary purpose is to improve the size, shape and colour of your teeth. Veneers can be made from porcelain or composite resin and are thin covers or shells that are created to be placed over the front of your teeth. They are used to address
- Teeth that are damaged or decayed
- Teeth that are cracked, chipped or fractured
- Teeth that are stained or discoloured and do not respond to teeth whitening treatments
- Small teeth that result in a gappy smile
What Are The Benefits Of Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are the most popular material because they are long-lasting, strong and look more natural than resin veneers.
Typically you need to visit your dentist two or three times to have porcelain veneers fitted.
Even though porcelain veneers are more expensive, patients prefer the end result because porcelain resembles the natural teeth very closely, even down to the way that it reflects light.
So, How Long Do Veneers Last?
On average patients can expect their veneers to last for around ten years depending on their level of dental care. Porcelain veneers can last for an average of 12 years however one study found that a number of patients had retained their veneers for 20 years. Longevity is a very important feature to know about before you have cosmetic dentistry performed. If you are presented with a cost estimate for porcelain and composite resin, you’ll notice that porcelain will cost more.
However, if you compare the longevity of the different dental veneers, you might find that composite resin veneers will only last for five to eight years before they need to be replaced. Over time, this could mean that composite resin costs more. Significantly, the resin is not as durable as porcelain and is easier to damage and you might be repairing and replacing your veneers more frequently than you expected.
It’s also important to remember that your dentist will have to remove a small amount of dental enamel before your veneers procedure. This means that the more often you have veneers done, the more your natural teeth will be worn down.
Ultimately deciding which type of dental veneer is best for you is a matter of personal preference but it’s essential to compare the total cost of both options before you make a decision.
To find out more about how long do veneers last and how best to approach your smile make-over, please contact us for a confidential appointment: (02) 9181 3668.
