Feeling self-conscious about your smile can be tough. Thankfully, porcelain veneers can transform the appearance of discoloured, misaligned, or damaged teeth, giving you a radiant, confident smile. These thin, tooth-coloured shells bond to the front of your teeth and create the look of a flawless smile.
Since veneers are a significant investment, you probably want to know how long they will last. So, how long can you expect your porcelain veneers to remain beautiful and functional?
Understanding Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are a popular choice in cosmetic dentistry because they look natural and are very durable. Made from thin, high-quality porcelain, these veneers are custom-designed to fit perfectly over the front of your teeth. The porcelain material mimics the natural look of tooth enamel, providing a lifelike and stunning result.
The Veneer Application Process
Getting porcelain veneers involves several steps. First, your dentist will assess your teeth and discuss your goals. They might take X-rays, impressions, and photos to guide the design of your veneers. Next, minimal reduction of your enamel from the front of your teeth is done to make room for the veneers. These measurements are sent to a dental lab to create your custom veneers.
When your veneers are ready, you’ll visit your dentist for the final fitting. They will check the fit and make any necessary adjustments before bonding the veneers to your teeth with strong dental cement. This careful process ensures a beautiful and long-lasting result.
The Lifespan of Porcelain Veneers
One of the main benefits of porcelain veneers is their longevity. With proper care, they can last 10 to 15 years on average. In some cases, they can even last up to 20 years.
Factors Influencing Veneer Lifespan
Several factors affect how long your veneers will last:
- Material Durability: Porcelain is very strong and resists wear and tear better than other materials like composite resin.
- Stain Resistance: Porcelain veneers are resistant to stains, so they keep their bright appearance longer than composite veneers.
- Proper Preparation: The skill of your dentist in preparing your teeth is crucial. Removing the right amount of enamel and shaping the teeth properly helps ensure a strong bond between the veneers and your teeth.
- Good Oral Hygiene: Regular brushing, flossing, and dental check-ups help keep your veneers and teeth healthy. Good oral hygiene prevents plaque and tartar buildup, which can affect the bond between your veneers and teeth.
- Protective Measures: Using a mouthguard during sports and avoiding habits that can damage your veneers, like biting on hard objects, can help them last longer.
Comparing Porcelain and Composite Veneers
While porcelain veneers last a long time, composite resin veneers generally last around 5 to 8 years, due to a few key differences:
Durability
Porcelain is more durable and less likely to chip or crack compared to composite resin. Porcelain veneers are fired and sintered at high temperatures to enhance their strength, making them highly resilient to daily wear and tear. Composite veneers, on the other hand, are made from a resin material that, while strong, is more prone to damage and wear over time. This means that if you lead an active lifestyle or have habits such as teeth grinding, porcelain might be a better option for long-term durability.
Stain Resistance
Porcelain veneers resist staining better than composite veneers. The non-porous nature of porcelain makes it impervious to stains from coffee, tea, red wine, and other common culprits. Composite resin, however, is more porous and can absorb stains over time, leading to discolouration. This is an important consideration if you enjoy foods and beverages that are known to stain teeth.
Repair
Damaged porcelain veneers usually need to be replaced, while composite veneers can most of the time be repaired. If a porcelain veneer chips or cracks, it generally needs to be removed and replaced with a new one, which can be a more involved and costly process. Composite veneers, however, can often be repaired directly in the mouth by adding more resin material, making the repair process quicker and less expensive.
How to Maintain Your Porcelain Veneers
Practise Good Oral Hygiene
Brush and floss regularly using a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste. Abrasive toothpaste can scratch the surface of your veneers, making them more susceptible to staining and damage. Gentle brushing helps maintain the smooth, polished surface of the porcelain.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
Regular check-ups and cleanings help monitor the condition of your veneers and catch any issues early. Professional cleanings remove plaque and tartar buildup that you might miss during your daily oral care routine, ensuring that both your veneers and natural teeth stay healthy.
Protect Your Veneers
Avoid using your teeth to open packages or bite hard objects. Use a mouthguard during sports. Habits such as chewing ice, biting nails, or using your teeth as tools can cause veneers to chip or crack. A mouthguard provides additional protection if you participate in contact sports or grind your teeth at night.
Replacing Porcelain Veneers
Even with excellent care, veneers will eventually need replacement. This might be due to:
Gum Recession
Gums can recede over time, exposing the edges of veneers. This can create small gaps where bacteria can accumulate, leading to potential decay and the need for veneer replacement. Regular dental visits can help monitor and manage gum health.
Damage
Veneers can chip, crack, or break. Accidents, trauma, or even biting into something hard can damage a veneer, necessitating its replacement to maintain the aesthetics and function of your smile.
Discolouration
Over time, veneers can become discoloured. While porcelain is highly stain-resistant, the bonding material used to attach the veneers to your teeth can discolour, especially if exposed to certain foods and drinks over many years.
Changes in Bite
Changes in how your teeth fit together can affect veneers. If your bite changes due to shifting teeth, orthodontic treatment, or wear on your natural teeth, it might impact the fit and function of your veneers, requiring them to be replaced to ensure a proper bite alignment.
When it’s time to replace your veneers, your dentist will carefully remove the old ones and prepare your teeth for new veneers. This process involves removing the existing veneer and a small amount of bonding material, then making a new impression of your teeth for the fabrication of the new veneers.
Choosing the Right Dentist
The success of your veneers also depends on the skill and experience of your dentist. Choose a cosmetic dentist with a good track record and proper accreditation. Communication is also important—make sure your dentist takes the time to explain the process and answer your questions.
Your Journey to a Beautiful Smile
Porcelain veneers offer a durable and long-lasting way to enhance your smile. With proper care, they can last 10 to 15 years or even longer. By understanding the factors that affect their longevity and choosing a skilled dentist, you can enjoy a beautiful, confident smile for many years.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. The team at Lifestyle Smiles is here to help. Schedule a consultation today by contacting us on 03 9593 1811 at our Brighton dental clinic.