How Long Do Veneers Last

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How long do veneers last?

Veneers more like dental veneers are thin shells that are placed right in front of your teeth. They protect your teeth from stains, discoloration or damage, thereby enhancing your smile. Antibiotics, fluoride and few other medicines can be responsible for a change mostly a discoloration on your teeth. Veneers are usually boned to your teeth enamel. It is a painless procedure that shapes up the uneven misaligned or worn out teeth. The enamel is a coating usually found on the surface of the teeth.

Veneers can also be used to fill up small gaps between your teeth. To get a veneers well done, you need a Professional dentist. To know how good the dentist is, you need to ask to see previous cases of veneers which they have successfully done. A Professional and good Dentist would be proud to show or share his success with you. What really determines how long your veneers would last are; the Dentist, the design and the plan of your veneers.

Dental veneers is an effective cosmetology Dental procedure that helps to enhance your smile. This is a cause of conscience because a lot of people would not want to joke with their smiles. People tend to ask questions like, “Would my smile look good after a veneers” and due to the amount they have to pay to have it done, they have to also know how long the veneers would last. 

TYPES OF DENTAL VENEERS

1. Porcelain Veneers

This is the most commonly used type of veneers. It is actually a material used for veneers. Its thin nature gives it a more natural look. It is long lasting. A study shows that 84% of people who used porcelain veneers found that the veneers had lasted for as long as 20 years.

Porcelain veneers do not really need maintenance after it has been placed on a patient’s teeth. It is very strong, natural and durable. It requires a Professional Dentist and a lab technician for the process. Porcelain veneers are very expensive and are also worth it.

2. Composite Veneers

This is another type of material used for veneers. It is mostly called a resin- based composite. According to a review in 2018, people who used composite Veneers used it for 5 years and others more. Composite veneers chips, stain, wear and tear at times and must be repaired. This is because, they do not need any tooth preparation.

They are bonded to your tooth structure. It needs to be maintained from time to time. It requires just a Professional Dentist for the process. Composite veneers are less expensive than the porcelain and it does not last as long as the porcelain too.

PEOPLE WHO NEED TO USE DENTAL VENEERS

Dental veneers are not the best option for people with a severe damage teeth, crowns are. Crowns are thicker than veneers. Anyways, people vary so, it is important to find out from your dentist if veneers are there right option for you.

Dental veneer is a good option for people whose teeth are;

  • Discolored 
  • Chipped
  • Pitted
  • Undersized
  • Fractured

WHAT ARE DENTAL VENEERS MADE OF AND HOW ARE THEY PLACED?

Dental veneers are made up of porcelain or composite engineered plastic or resin. Porcelain veneers are stronger and have a more natural look. They have been glazed and so cannot be stained. Composite veneers can be stained after a period of time because of the nature of the resin used to make it. Composite veneers also needs to be well polished to ensure it has a natural look.

They are placed either through direct or indirect application. The direct application is used only for composite veneers. In this process, plastic/ enamel veneer are usually sculptured by the Dentist and placed in front of your teeth. The indirect application requires a two times visit to your Dentist.

The first visit is to remove a small layer of enamel from your teeth that will be filled with the dental veneers. The second visit is to place the veneer on the teeth for a new and natural look. The process includes; once it is diagnosed that a patience needs a veneer, the teeth that needs to be filled or covered will be examined.

The result will be sending to the laboratory so that a veneer that would suit the person perfectly would be created. Before the veneer is placed, a very small amount of enamel will be removed from your teeth to ensure a smooth and natural look when the veneer is finally placed.

The veneer is then placed on the teeth and made to fit well not boned yet, just to check. To ensure that it fits well, you need to do some shaping, filing, trimming and this can be done more than once. After it is fitted perfectly and the patient is OK with how it looks then it would be bonded to the teeth.

BENEFITS OF DENTAL VENEERS

Some benefits of dental veneers includes;

  • Dental veneers match perfectly well with your teeth and cannot be easily differentiated from your teeth.
  • Dental veneers bond protects your teeth from damage.
  • Dental veneers prevents your teeth from stains or discoloration.
  • Dental veneers does not stop you from continuing your dental hygiene like brushing your teeth.

HOW LONG DO DENTAL VENEERS LAST?

When done carefully by a Professional Dentist, dental veneers can last for as long as 5 to 30 years. According to research, porcelain veneers last for about 20 years. On the other hand, composite veneers last for about 7 to 10 years. Porcelain veneers last longer than composite veneers. You can still eat everything you used to eat but with precaution. If excess pressure is added to veneers, it might not last as long as it is expected to.

BEFORE PLACING DENTAL VENEERS, YOUR DENTIST NEEDS TO DO AN ASSESSMENT OF?

  • How much enamel you have in your teeth to bond to.
  • How you bite; in case it needs to be corrected before placing a veneer.
  • The color of the teeth; this is because a black or a gray discoloration on the teeth can be very hard to cover with veneers.
  • Your age matters; for a child or someone who is young, their milk teeth will definitely fall off so there is no need for placing a veneer but for adults with damaged teeth, it is ok to place a veneer.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO AFTER PLACING A DENTAL VENEERS?

  • Do not cut your nails with your teeth.
  • Do not open a bottle cover with teeth.
  • Do not chew ice or gum.
  • Do not grind your teeth against each other.
  • Do not drink staining drinks like coffee and tea regularly.
  • Avoid smoking
  • Avoid taking alcohol
  • Do not drink lemon juice or soda.
  • Avoid the use of tobacco products
  • Use low formulated toothpaste.

WHAT AFFECTS THE DURABILITY OF DENTAL VENEERS AFTER IT IS PLACED?

  • The Veneer Materials Used: Porcelain and no-prep veneer tends to last longer than composite veneers.
  • Your Moutg Prptection: If you are into sports like wrestling or boxing, it is essential you wear a mouth guard to protect your veneer from breaking.
  • Putting To Much Pressure: If you bite or chew to much on hard things like ice, sweet or nuts, your veneers would surely be affected. Also grinding your teeth adds pressure and should be avoided so as to affect the durability of your veneers.
  • The state of your teeth before placing a veneer may also affect your veneers durability.
  • Using your tooth to cut your nails, open bottle cover or tear a packet open can affect your veneers
  • Your Daily Dental Hygiene: If you do not brush your teeth, forgot a dental checkup or cleansing then your veneers might wear and tear within a short period of time.

WHY DO YOU NEED TO REPLACE DENTAL VENEERS?

Although dental veneers can last for years, you will need to replace them when their expected years of lasting is exhausted, also you need to replace them because; 

  • Dental veneers can wear, tear, chip or break due to daily use of your teeth and needs to be replaced.
  • Dental veneers can break if your bite change due too tooth loss or a delay of tooth and needs to be replaced.
  • Dental veneers can chip or break before time if too much pressure is added to it so it needs to be replaced.

CONCLUSION

Generally, veneers can last for as long as 5 to 30 years but it all depends on the type of veneer you choose to use. Choose a Professional Dentist to ensure your veneer is properly placed. And remember as earlier said, to know how good and professional the dentist is, you need to ask to see previous cases of veneers which they have successfully done.

A Professional and good Dentist would be proud to show or share his successful works with you. Finally, after placing a dental veneer on your teeth, avoid putting pressure on your teeth to ensure the veneer lasts as long as it is expected to.

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