How Long Do Veneers Last? Understand The Associated Factors

If you’re one of the many Australians with chipped or discoloured teeth, you may find yourself covering your mouth when you talk, smiling with closed lips, or even avoiding social interactions. 

Dental veneers can not only restore your smile and your confidence, but they can also fill gaps in your teeth, making them easier to clean. At Sydney Dental Group, we are proud to offer composite resin and porcelain dental veneers. 

Many patients considering cosmetic dentistry have several common questions about dental veneers, including “How long do veneers last?” The lifespan of your veneers is dependent on several factors. 

How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?

One of the major factors that affect the lifespan of dental veneers is their fabrication material. The two most common options available to patients are composite resin and porcelain. Both enhance your smile, but porcelain dental veneers have a longer lifespan. 

Composite resin veneers are inexpensive, allowing patients who believe that cosmetic dentistry is out of their price range access to a high-quality smile. They use a white tooth-coloured composite resin which is applied directly to your teeth in layers and hardened with a special light. 

Although the look of composite is fantastic, the aesthetics of composite does not compare to porcelain veneers. Composite resin is also more likely to chip and require replacement. Depending on your diet and your dental care routine, composite resin veneers may need to be replaced every three to five years. 

Sydney Dental Group also offers porcelain veneers. Porcelain is a tougher and more aesthetic material, and therefore less likely to chip or stain than composite resin veneers, but comes with a slightly higher price point. Porcelain veneers will likely last between ten and twelve years, making them a more cost-effective investment long-term.

Composite Veneers Procedure

Another difference between the two types of dental veneers is the procedure. Direct composite veneers are created during your appointment and applied immediately. Your dentist bonds the composite resin to your teeth and then shapes it to fit your smile, giving you a perfect smile in a single session.

Except for standard cleaning appointments, your composite veneers require no additional treatment.

At your next appointment, our dentist prepares your teeth by removing a thin layer of tooth. A digital scan is then done and sent off to our ceramist who will start making your veneers.  We then fit temporary veneers so you can feel confident while waiting for your porcelain veneers to be fabricated.

At the final appointment, our Sydney Dental Group dentist removes your temporary veneers and fits your new porcelain ones. 

Composite Resin vs. Porcelain Veneers

The choice between these two options is not always clear, since both dental veneers have pros and cons. 

Composite Resin Veneers Pros

• Inexpensive
• Only require a single appointment
• Effective for covering discolouration, gaps, and chips in teeth
• Can sometimes correct crowding and mis-shaped teeth

Composite Resin Veneers Cons

• Shorter lifespan
• Vulnerable to chipping

Porcelain Veneers Pros

• Long-lasting
• Strong, stain-resistant material
• Have a natural pearlescent shine
• Custom-designed for your smile

Porcelain Veneers Cons

• More expensive
• Multiple appointments required
• Harder to fix if chipped or damaged

How Long Do Veneers Last: Tips to Maximise Their Lifespan?

Because dental veneers aren’t permanent, you will eventually need to replace them due to chipping, staining, gum recession, or breakage. However, you can maximise the life of your dental veneers by following your dentist’s recommendations and a few tips. 

• Regular Cleanings

Dentists recommend yearly cleanings to prevent cavities, plaque buildup and ensure that any problems are caught before they cause extensive damage. 

• Daily Routine

Brush and floss your teeth twice daily to prevent stains on your veneers, and to protect your teeth from cavities and gum disease. If you require extensive dental work due to tooth decay, it may interfere with your dental veneers and result in the need for new veneers.

• Diet

Unfortunately, composite and porcelain dental veneers can’t be whitened, so it is crucial to maintain a good oral health routine and avoid pigmented foods and drinks to keep your smile bright. 

Red wine, coffee, and black tea can all stain teeth. Although porcelain veneers are stain-resistant, there is a risk that these drinks can cause some discolouration. You don’t need to eliminate them from your diet completely, but try to incorporate alternatives like white wine or green tea.

• Mouthguard

A direct hit to your mouth could harm your veneers. If you play contact sports or sports like volleyball or rugby, consider wearing a mouthguard to protect your teeth. In addition to preserving your dental veneers in an accident, a mouthguard may also help to prevent the need for further cosmetic dentistry.

Contact Us for a Consultation

If you are unhappy with your discoloured or chipped teeth, contact our Baulkham Hills dental clinic on (02) 9158 6135 to arrange an initial consultation. We’re happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have about dental veneers or other cosmetic dentistry procedures to help you achieve a beautiful smile.