Veneers are gaining more and more popularity, as this cosmetic solution can dramatically change the appearance of your natural teeth in just one visit to your dental office. But how long do veneers last? In this article, we answer this question and give tips on how to prolong the lifespan of your veneers.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
There are two primary materials veneers can be made of: porcelain and resin composite. Porcelain veneers are more durable and stain-resistant than resin composite veneers and can last for up to 15 years, provided you care for them effectively. Resin composite veneers, on the other hand, typically last for 5 to 10 years.
Some of the factors that can determine how long your veneers will last include:
- Your oral hygiene habits
- Your general oral health
- The frequency of your dental visits
- Personal and lifestyle habits, for example, smoking
- Dietary habits
- The presence of such issues as bruxism or jaw clenching
Veneers are a permanent cosmetic solution, meaning that they can not simply be removed once they are worn out. Rather, they need to be replaced with a new set. The reason for this is that when you initially get your veneers, your dentist will remove a portion of your enamel to fit your teeth for the veneers. Unfortunately, teeth can not survive without their enamel or another protective layer and will require the protection of dental veneers from this moment on.
Signs that it is time to replace your veneers include:
- You notice spaces between your gums and veneers.
- Your veneers appear stained or discolored (this might also signify decay of the teeth underneath your veneers)
- Your veneers are chipped or cracked (compromised integrity of your veneers might lead to infection of the underlying teeth)
- You notice that your teeth feel uncomfortable in the way they fit together or have visual changes in the alignment of your teeth.
Tips to Make Your Veneers Last Longer
Regardless of the material your veneers are made of, we recommend following several rules that will help preserve their original appearance and prevent damage.
Maintain Thorough Oral Hygiene
If you do not thoroughly brush and floss your teeth twice a day, food residue and plaque linger on your veneers and can make them appear discolored. On top of that, if not removed in time, plaque hardens and turns into tartar, a sticky substance filled with bacteria that is impossible to remove without special dental instruments.
Another danger of plaque and tartar is that the bacteria found in them can destroy the enamel of the uncovered parts of your natural teeth and can negatively affect your gum health. Often, veneers must be removed before treating cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease, which can be costly and inconvenient.
Schedule Regular Dental Visits
Visiting your dentist twice a year for checkups and professional cleanings will ensure the health of your natural teeth underneath veneers and, thus, the longevity of the veneers themselves. Additionally, we recommend opting for professional fluoride treatments after your cleanings to further boost the strength and resilience of your natural teeth underneath veneers.
Pay Attention to What You Eat
Some foods and beverages can stain your veneers:
- Red wine
- Black coffee and tea
- Berries
- Fruit juices
- Soda and candy with artificial dye
- Beetroot and carrots
- Brightly colored species, such as curry
If you eat or drink any of the staining products, brush your teeth or at least rinse your mouth immediately after the meal to prevent colored particles from lingering on your veneers.
Hard and crunchy foods might lead to physical damage to your veneers by cracking them or scratching their surface. You should also consider avoiding sticky foods that can pull your veneers from your teeth.
Protect Your Veneers from Physical Damage
If you engage in sports, especially contact or extreme sports, that pose a high risk of facial trauma, we recommend wearing a custom-made mouth guard to protect your veneers from breaking or cracking.
You should also refrain from using your teeth as tools, i.e., for opening bottles, cracking nuts, etc., or chewing on hard objects, such as pen tips. Such actions are a common cause of damage to veneers.
Bruxism—involuntary teeth grinding and jaw clenching—can also lead to your veneers wearing off faster or even breaking. We recommend seeking professional help if you notice that you have this issue.
Get High-Quality Veneers at Shodhan Yucaipa
Get stunning and high-quality dental veneers at the Shodhan Yucaipa dental office. Make a consultation appointment with an experienced dentist at our office today. We will examine your oral health and take other considerations into account to offer you the most suitable veneer solution