Dental veneers can transform your smile. By concealing imperfections in the front row of teeth, veneers can make your teeth look healthy and natural.
Are you satisfied with your smile? Do you feel confident when meeting someone new or when you appear in photographs? If your answer to either of those questions is no, veneers may be a worthwhile consideration.
But before you invest in veneers, you may want to know how many years you can get out of them. Here’s how long you can expect dental veneers to last.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin, shell-like covers that attach to the front side of your teeth. They conceal imperfections in the teeth to make your smile look more natural. Veneers can cover stains, chipped teeth, crooked teeth, gaps between the teeth, and uneven lengths.
Types of Veneers
There are a few different types of veneers:
- Porcelain. The most common type of veneers are porcelain. Porcelain is a specially created type of ceramic that is strong and resembles natural tooth enamel. Porcelain veneers are the highest quality material that will last longer than other types.
- Composite. Composite veneers are made of the same type of material that used to fill cavities in teeth. It resembles your natural tooth enamel, but may not last as long as porcelain veneers.
- Prefabricated. Prefabricated veneers are also made of composite material, but they are not custom made to fit your teeth. Prefab veneers are more of a one-size-fits-all option that most likely won’t look as natural as custom porcelain veneers.
Average Lifespan of Veneers
You can expect porcelain veneers to last anywhere from 10-15 years on average, but many people get more years out of their veneers with good care and maintenance. Composite veneers may only last 5-8 years in comparison.
How To Get the Most Out of Your Veneers
If you want your veneers to last as long as possible, the following tips can help:
- Choose quality veneers. High quality porcelain veneers will last longer than other lesser quality materials.
- Practice good oral hygiene. For your veneers to last, it is important to take care of the teeth behind them. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day and floss once a day.
- Visit the dentist regularly. Regular dental cleanings every 6 months will help keep your teeth healthy and your veneers clean. Your dentist can check the condition of your veneers and provide any adjustments.
- Be mindful of what you eat. It is important to eat carefully with your veneers. Avoid biting into hard foods with your veneers and don’t chew or bite anything that is not food.
Transform Your Smile With Veneers
If you’re interested in veneers, Koppelman Dental provides high quality porcelain veneers that look natural and are built to last. After a brief evaluation, we can determine if veneers are the right cosmetic dentistry option for you. You can transform your smile and feel more confident in just a few short appointments.
To learn more, call 212-382-3782 or contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Veneers
Are veneers permanent?
Once veneers are bonded to your teeth, only your dentist can remove them. A thin layer of enamel must be removed from your teeth before attaching your veneers, so the teeth can’t be left uncovered afterwards.
How many teeth need veneers?
In most cases veneers are only attached to the front row of teeth that are most visible when you smile. On average it is about 4-8 teeth on both the upper and lower row to achieve a natural looking smile.