How Long Do Dental Veneers Last?

Dental veneers are among the most popular and well know ways to repair teeth that have been damaged or are in need of enhancement. There are any number of solutions that a person can choose when it comes to the kind of results that dental veneers can achieve. This raises the question, “Why are dental veneers so popular?” The answer to that question is really multifaceted. The most important reason for the popularity of the dental veneers is that they last such a long time. The average length of a dental veneers treatment is typically 10 to 14 years. There have been numerous studies done that have shown that the veneers are going to last a minimum of 10 years if you take care of them. In fact, 92% of people who have had dental veneers did not need repairs or replacements in the first 13 years. This alone makes the veneers an excellent option of repair or enhancing your teeth.

We know that the way dental veneers are placed play a significant role in them lasting as long as they do. It is not unusual for a dental prosthetic device to last at least 10 years. However, in the case of dental veneers, the ease of the placement, the fact that they were once viewed as a purely niche product, and the cost are all additional factors that come into play which make the longevity such an important part of the decision to get them. One of the most significant reasons why dental veneers last as long as they do is because they are attached to your natural teeth, giving them the strength and stability of the original teeth. Whenever you are going to get a restoration, there is typically a loss of enamel. In the case of dental implants, which are some of the longest lasting of the dental prosthetics, we would actually need to remove the entire tooth with the root. In the case of dental crowns, we would shave off most of the enamel so that only a nub was left. Compared to these are dental veneers which only require a tiny amount of enamel be removed to make room for the porcelain veneers. In essence, we repair the tooth, augment it, and strengthen it but you are still left with your original tooth, which bodes well for longevity.

It is important to understand that when discussing how long dental veneers last, there is an element of personal responsibility. Dental veneers can last for a very long time if they are taken care of. The great thing about taking care of dental veneers is that they only require you to do the things that you would do to maintain your natural teeth. This includes brushing twice each day, using mouthwash, flossing, and visiting the dentist at least twice a year. Plus avoiding doing things that could damage or crack the veneers is a good idea. In other words, if you treat your porcelain veneers like teeth, you are sure to have them for many years without needing to get repairs or restorations done.

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Dental Veneers Fast Facts That You Should Know

Before you get dental veneers, you may be interested in learning more about this great dental service. When it comes to covering flaws, veneers are a wonderful product that creates amazing results. You will be impressed with how much better your teeth will look once you have your veneers placed. Veneers can cover many dental flaws with minimal effort. For a few more important and quick facts about them, continue reading. 

• A veneer is a very thin, normally porcelain shell that is adhered to the fronts of your teeth to cover flaws. 
• Dental veneers can cover and improve shaping and contouring issues, discoloration or spotting, chips or gaps, misaligned or crooked teeth, awkward lengths, and a variety of other imperfections.
• Veneers are normally made of porcelain or composite materials depending on your specific needs. 
• Before your veneers are placed, we will gently etch the surface enamel of your teeth to create a better base for the adhesive. Once your enamel is prepared, we will adhere temporary veneers while your new ones are created in the lab.  Once ready,  the dental veneers will be bonded to your teeth with a long-lasting dental glue.
• Veneers normally last 15-20 years, sometimes longer. This length will range depending how well you care for your veneers and your surrounding gums and teeth. 
• They can be easily replaced if they become damaged or worn. 
• Dental veneers can be placed in as little as one dental visit or as many as three visits depending on what type of veneers you choose. 
• Before we can place your veneers, you will need to have a dental check up and allow us to fix any cavities and remove any dangerous infections. 
• The veneers placement is a minimally invasive and highly effective cosmetic solution. 
• You should not get veneers if your teeth are still developing or if you are suffering from ongoing periodontal disease. 
• Dental veneers are customized to fit only your teeth and improve the exact flaws you discuss with us. 
• Veneers are very natural looking and not easily scratched, stained, or damaged.
• The veneers procedure is not reversible unless you plan to have another cosmetic or restorative procedure completed to cover your vulnerable teeth due to the removal of enamel before veneers are placed. 
• Regular flossing and brushing can be done once your veneers are placed. No extra care outside of the avoidance of biting your fingernails or grinding your teeth is required. 
• Normally local anesthetic application is all the pain relief that is needed for a veneers placement. You will not experience discomfort during the procedure.
• The cost range of veneers varies depending on the location of treatment and severity of dental imperfections. 
• Dental veneers from our office should blend in perfectly with your other teeth. 

Now that you have learned some fast facts about how convenient, efficient, and affordable veneers are, we hope you consider visiting our office to learn more. The benefits of dental veneers are endless, and the results are attractive and natural looking. For all your dental veneer needs, we can help.

The Shade of Your Dental Veneers is Essential to Your Smile

The choice of dental veneers over some of the other cosmetic dental procedures is reached for a number of reasons. First, however, a patient has to decide that they want to improve their smile. As it so happens, there is not much we cannot fix esthetically in your mouth today. With the rapid advancements in technology, we have the tools at our disposal to fix any nature of unsightly problems that range from teeth that are crooked and misaligned to teeth that are badly stained and simply need new life through whitening. Our patients typically chose dental veneers to cover up badly stained teeth or to replace missing enamel. As such, the most common reason for choosing veneers is still the fact that people want to have the brightest and whitest smile they possibly can. If you decide that you want to use veneers to have permanently whiter teeth, you will need to make the next important decision.

Dental veneers are virtually a permanent solution. This immediately poses a question - what color do you want your teeth to be for the next several decades? Most of us do not ever get to choose the natural color of our teeth which makes this decision slightly more challenging than it sounds. A few years ago patients were limited to a palette of 16 colors and you would have to pick a shade that was the closest match to your unaffected teeth. As you can imagine, this was not a very exciting prospect. After all, when you want your smile to be brighter and whiter, there is literally no fun in picking a shade that looks exactly like your old teeth. With advancements in technology, we now can do things like bleach your teeth before picking the shade so that all of your teeth, including your veneers, will be bright and white. Essentially you have more choices now.

While color is important, there is another factor to consider when you are getting dental veneers. This is the opacity or the translucency of the veneers that are placed over your teeth. Teeth are not solid. One of the most beautiful elements of natural teeth is the way that they allow natural light to pass through them. This gives the effect of a lighted smile and is something we will want to mimic very closely with your veneers. Having a solid block of veneers, that completely shields the light will cause your teeth to look plastic and fake. Instead, we will work with the translucency to ensure that the right amount of light passes through the veneer so that you have a radiant smile. As you are selecting the color and transparency of your veneers, you should keep in mind that they will not age or stain like natural teeth. Whatever you chose today is what you will have for years to come.

When using dental veneers to improve your smile, we can also address things like gaps, crooked teeth, damaged teeth, a loss of enamel and dark stains.  Once done, this solution will ensure that your teeth are bright, white, and beautiful. 

Here's How Dental Veneers Can Restore Your Teeth

Dental veneers play an important role in the healthy performance of the teeth they are used to repair. In fact, there are two fundamental functions that they perform which make them such a versatile tool for us to use. From a dentist's perspective, dental veneers can strengthen teeth while also making them esthetically more pleasing. Most people do not realize that when you damage a tooth or cause it some kind of trauma it is very easy for that damage to spread. A chipped, broken, or cracked tooth can very easily get an infection. Even if no infection exists, the damage can spread which could cause a great deal of discomfort. A dental veneer can take the place of the damaged enamel and prevent further damage from occurring while also ensuring that an infection does not set in. This is critical for the overall health of the mouth.


A dental veneers second function is more esthetic, and also very important. Damaged teeth, stained teeth, and misaligned teeth can cause a person to lose their self-esteem by creating an unattractive smile. Dental veneers are able to replace the damaged or stained enamel with a thin porcelain strip, giving patients back a perfect white tooth that looks, feels, and acts exactly like the original tooth it has replaced. In order to accomplish this, the veneer takes on many of the same qualities as the naturally occurring enamel it is replacing. Like enamel, the porcelain veneer is extremely hard which helps the tooth be more durable for regular dietary practices. Unfortunately, this similarity in qualities also means that the porcelain is brittle and that you will need to take care of it the same way as you would your regular teeth. Avoiding situations and activities that may damage your natural teeth will also avoid damaging or breaking the dental veneer.

Maintaining your porcelain veneers is far easier than one might imagine. This is because they require no special treatment, no additional maintenance, and no unique cleaning methods. In fact, all you need to do is maintain a good oral health and hygiene routine and your dental veneers will be cleaned along with your natural teeth. We recommend brushing twice per day, visiting us for a regular bi-annual cleaning, and cultivating good habits like flossing and rinsing. All of these will help to prolong the life cycle of your veneers and all your other teeth as well.

Dental veneers can last you anywhere from seven to thirty years depending on how well you take care of your mouth, and by extension your veneers themselves. There is no concrete number or guarantee as to how long they will last since each individual is different and faces different challenges. Gum diseases, accidents, or changes in your routine can all influence how well your teeth and dental veneers will hold up. Since there is no real magic formula, we strongly advice good habits and keeping your teeth clean, and safe, which may mean wearing a night guard if you find yourself grinding your teeth at night.

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