Posted on: 23 September, 2022
Veneers can last for many years, depending on the material they're made from and how well you care for them.
2 minute read
Veneers are one of the most popular and versatile cosmetic dental treatments. They may be an option if you want to improve the appearance of teeth that are stained or discoloured, damaged, misaligned or have gaps.
Your dentist can give you all the information you need about dental veneers and other cosmetic dentistry treatments during your consultation, so you can decide what's right for you.
Some of the key facts to know are the different types of veneers and how long they last for.
The two most common options are porcelain veneers and composite veneers.
12–15 years average
Porcelain is a close match for natural tooth enamel, having similar translucent and reflective qualities. These veneers are custom made by an experienced ceramist in a dental laboratory, based on impressions taken of your teeth. Your dentist first designs your porcelain veneers at the clinic, consulting with you on the shape and shade of your new smile and prepares a trial smile or wax-up for you to try in and test-drive what the final result may look like. Once you are happy with the design, your dentist carefully removes a thin layer of enamel (usually between 0.2mm - 0.5mm, similar to the thickenss of a fingernail) to accommodate their slim profile. In some cases, you may not require any tooth preparation if you already have enamel missing.
Porcelain veneers do not stain and are very strong and durable, which helps to extend their lifespan compared to composite veneers. A possible downside of porcelain is that the material cannot always be repaired, so heavily damaged veneers will normally need to be replaced.
A 2018 review of studies found that porcelain veneers tended to last longer than 10 years in most cases, provided the teeth were appropriately prepared before veneers were placed.
5–6 years average
Unlike porcelain veneers, which are custom made by a ceramist before being bonded into place, composite veneers are applied directly in layers to teeth surfaces by your dentist. Your dentist can help you select a shade of composite resin that matches your natural tooth colour, but the overall appearance of composite veneers can look less natural and opaque than porcelain.
Composite resin is less durable than porcelain and is prone to staining over time, which reduces the veneers' lifespan. However, one advantage of these veneers is that they are cheaper than porcleain veneers and can be cheaper to repair than porcelain can.
The 2018 review found that composite veneers generally lasted for five years or longer.
Your veneers could last for longer if you follow your dentist's advice about caring for the veneers themselves and the underlying teeth. This includes:
Veneers cost more upfront than some alternative cosmetic dentistry treatments such as teeth whitening, but you can expect longer-lasting results when you practise good daily care.
Porcelain veneers are more expensive than composite resin, but they last longer and offer aesthetically superior results. Veneer prices at Mount Lawley Dental start from:
Book a consultation with our Mount Lawley dentists to find out more about veneer prices and options or to discuss our payment plans. Call our team today on (08) 9227 8777 or book online. We also welcome patients from Highgate, Inglewood, North Perth and other nearby areas.
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