Do veneers last forever?

For those who don’t like how their teeth look thanks to chips, cracks, gaps, stains, crookedness etc porcelain veneers are a good cosmetic solution. Patients love veneers, they are resistant to stains, have a great white surface, and, most importantly they look natural! Your mouth will love veneers as well as gum tissue tolerates the material and teeth do not require a lot of preparation work.

Veneers don’t last forever though; your teeth will need to be slightly shaved down for fitting the veneers and that processis not reversable. For that reason, many patients ask – how long will porcelain veneers last?

Generally, they will last between 10 and 20 years before you will need to have them replaced, but, just like the rest of your mouth, YOU can affect how long your veneers will last, simply by how you care for them. To ensure your veneers will last you as long as possible just maintain them using a simple guideline.

AVOID – Red wine, tea, coffee and other staining agents.

Porcelain veneers will rarely stain, so these drinks won’t stain your veneers, but consuming too much of them can stain the rest of your teeth and then your teeth won’t match your veneers, some will be stained, some wont.

Also Read This: The Surprising Culprits Eating Away at Your Teeth

AVOID – Grinding your teeth

Grinding your teeth isn’t a good *habit* anyway, but if you have veneers it will place more pressure on them which can cause damage. If you are in the habit of grinding your teeth let your dentist know as you may need to wear a bite guard when you sleep to minimise pressure.

DO – maintain good oral hygiene habits.

The good thing about veneers is they don’t need any extra/special care, but how you care for your natural teeth will affect your satisfaction with veneers. For example, if you neglect your gum health, over time if your gums start to recede you may see the edge of your veneers which takes away their natural appearance.

If you floss and brush twice a day, you’ll be caring for both your teeth and your veneers. Don’t worry about brushing and flossing veneers, they are a lot tougher than you might think.

How long your porcelain veneers last will depend on your own habits and how you treat them. Try and avoid food and drink that will stain your natural teeth, keep up with good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing daily. Remember that veneers may not necessarily be a the end solution for you, but, they can be a long-term one if you follow all the above tips. Speak to your dentist to see if veneers are the right solution for you, only he or she knows your teeth and your dental issues, they can help you make the choice that suits you best.