Veneers are a cosmetic treatment you may end up paying for more than once, so before committing, it helps to know how long they last and what they do to your teeth. Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite bonded to the front of your teeth, and fitting traditional veneers removes a thin layer of enamel, so the change is permanent even though the veneers themselves may one day need repairing or replacing. Here’s how they work, how long porcelain and composite veneers tend to last, and when a crown or another option fits better.
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What Veneers Are, and What They’re Used For
Veneers are custom coverings for the front surfaces of teeth, used to hide chips, stains, gaps, and uneven shapes.
There are two main types. Porcelain veneers are thin shells made to fit the front of a tooth, and they’re strong, long-lasting, and natural-looking. Composite veneers are made from tooth-colored resin bonded to the tooth, and they suit milder cosmetic issues. Either way, veneers are cosmetic: they hide flaws, but they don’t necessarily strengthen or repair a tooth.
They can cover chipped or broken teeth, gaps, teeth that are too small or misshapen, and stains that don’t improve with teeth whitening, and they can make slightly crooked teeth look straighter. Whitening doesn’t fix every kind of discoloration: teeth with gray tones may not bleach at all, and it won’t help discoloration caused by some medications or an injury to the tooth.
When veneers aren’t the right choice
Any decay or gum disease has to be treated first, because placing veneers over unhealthy teeth can make existing problems worse. Clenching or grinding your teeth, or a deep overbite, can make veneers a poor fit. And for a tooth badly damaged by decay or injury, a crown is usually the better option.
How Veneers Are Fitted
Fitting porcelain veneers takes at least two visits, with a few weeks for the dental lab in between, while composite veneers may need fewer visits.
For porcelain veneers, the dentist removes a thin layer of enamel from the front and sides of the tooth, often about half a millimeter. That roughens the surface and helps the veneer stay in place. An impression or a digital scan goes to a dental lab, which can take a few weeks to make the veneers, and you may wear temporary veneers in the meantime. At the second visit, the dentist checks the fit, shape, and color, bonds the veneers on with dental cement, and adjusts your bite.
Composite veneers are built up on the tooth: the resin is bonded, sculpted, hardened with a special light, and polished. They may need less enamel removed, and no impressions. With either type, you and your dentist choose a shade that matches your natural teeth, and there’s no downtime afterward.
Are Veneers Permanent?
Traditional veneers aren’t reversible, because some enamel is removed to fit them, but that doesn’t mean they last forever.
You lose at least some of your natural enamel for good. No-prep and minimal-prep veneers remove less, and may be reversible in some cases, but they usually still need some enamel removed and aren’t right for everyone.
“Permanent” also doesn’t mean lifelong. A veneer can chip, crack, wear down, or come loose over time, and the dentist then re-bonds, repairs, or replaces it.
Removable “snap-on” or “pop-on” veneers are a different thing. They come out like a retainer, can make eating difficult, and haven’t been studied much, so ask a dentist whether they’re safe for you.
Everett, WA
Thinking about veneers?
We can check your teeth and gums and talk through whether veneers or another option fits.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
Most porcelain veneers in long-term studies were still in place after about 10 years, and composite veneers generally don’t last as long.
| Type | What the research found |
|---|---|
| Porcelain | In a review of 25 studies (6,500 veneers), 95.5% were still in place after 10 years. Another review of 13 studies found 89% in place at a median of 9 years |
| Porcelain, 20 years and beyond | No reliable estimate yet; the long-term studies are limited |
| Composite | In trials that followed patients for about 2 to 8 years, 88% were still in place. Composite tends to fail faster than porcelain |
Cleveland Clinic puts the general lifespan of veneers at 10 to 15 years with proper care. These figures show how many veneers were still working at a given point, not a promise for any one veneer. How long yours last depends a lot on how well they bond to the tooth, which is best when they’re bonded to enamel, and on whether you grind your teeth. With porcelain veneers, fractures and coming loose happen most often in the first years after placement.
Do Veneers Damage Your Teeth?
Veneers don’t harm teeth in themselves, but fitting traditional veneers removes a thin layer of enamel for good, and a tooth with a veneer can still decay.
Cavities can form under or around a veneer, so brushing, flossing, and regular cleanings still matter. Teeth may become more sensitive to heat and cold. Veneers that are too bulky can irritate the gums, although a review of nine studies found that veneers overall weren’t linked with harm to gum health.
The most common problem with porcelain veneers is fracture, followed by coming loose. With composite veneers, the problems reported most are surface roughness, color mismatch, and staining at the edges.
Veneers or a Crown?
A veneer covers only the front of a tooth, while a crown covers the whole tooth, so veneers suit cosmetic concerns and crowns suit teeth that are badly damaged.
A veneer removes about a quarter to half as much tooth as a full crown. A crown’s main job is to restore a tooth badly damaged by decay or injury, and it adds strength and protection. At Icon Dental Center, our general dentists do crowns: ceramic crowns, lab-made from fully digital impressions.
Questions about veneers? Call our Everett dental office to talk it through.
Looking After Veneers
Care for veneers like natural teeth, with a few extra precautions:
- Brush twice a day with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste, clean between your teeth every day, and keep up regular exams and cleanings.
- Avoid biting your fingernails or chewing on hard objects, and don’t bite straight into hard foods like apples or carrots; cut them up and chew with your back teeth.
- Never use your teeth as tools, such as to open packages.
- Wear a mouthguard for sports.
- If you grind your teeth, your dentist may suggest a night guard to protect them while you sleep. A custom guard gives the best fit.
Porcelain resists stains better than natural enamel, but coffee, tea, and red wine can still stain veneers over time, and composite stains more easily. Whitening won’t change a veneer’s color, either. If coffee’s the main culprit, maybe it’s time for a caffeine alternative?
Veneers at Icon Dental Center
Our general dentists, Dr. Aboulhosn, Dr. Valentine, and Dr. Kwok, do cosmetic work including veneers. Because decay and gum disease have to be treated first, veneers generally start with an exam of your teeth and gums.
Common Questions About Veneers
Can you get veneers if you grind your teeth?
Most people who grind their teeth don’t know it, and dentists and hygienists often spot the signs first. If you do grind, tell your dentist: veneers may not suit you, and if they do, a night guard helps protect them.
Who should place veneers?
Only a licensed dentist. The American Dental Association has warned the public about “veneer technicians” who offer veneers without a dentist, and veneers placed by unlicensed people risk infection and nerve damage.
Do veneers feel different?
It can take a few days to get used to a veneer. If your bite doesn’t feel right, tell your dentist so it can be adjusted.