If you’re considering different cosmetic dental options that can upgrade your smile, veneers are one of the most frequently sought-after by patients here in our Liverpool dental clinic. Composite veneers can transform and uplift your smile within just one visit to the dentist, while porcelain veneers offer a more natural, bone-like sheen. But how long do veneers last?
Our guide to the differences between porcelain and composite veneers and the factors that impact their longevity should help!
What are Veneers and How do they Work?
Everyone seems to be talking about veneers, but what are they? A veneer is typically a thin layer of material used to cover something up. If you’re into interior design, you may have heard of a timber or laminate veneer – a thin layer of material that’s applied to the surface of another material to enhance the finish or aesthetics.
In cosmetic dentistry, veneers do the same thing. We use either composite resin or porcelain to apply a thin layer that ‘covers up’ your natural teeth, carefully sculpting the material into place before hardening it with a special UV light. Veneers are primarily used to enhance how our teeth look, but can also work wonders in transforming the way they feel too.
If you have a chipped tooth, for example, this can cause repeated damage to the gums and surrounding area as you eat or speak. A veneer works to fill in that gap by covering and adding to the tooth, which can also help protect the inner structure that may have been compromised.
How Long do Porcelain Veneers Last?
Porcelain veneers are highly regarded as the most realistic-looking option when it comes to veneers. This is because porcelain, as a material, naturally mimics the slight translucency and almost pearly sheen of real teeth.
Porcelain is the most hardwearing out of the two materials, so porcelain veneers usually last anywhere from 10 – 15 years with good regular care.
How Long do Composite Veneers Last?
Composite bonding is the other option to consider if you’re thinking about veneers. Composite veneers can last from 5 – 7 years with consistent care.
As with many other cosmetic dental treatments, the fees involved in getting veneers done is linked to the type of materials used, as well as the length of the procedure and any additional expertise required to ensure you leave with a quality smile. You can view all the fees for our aesthetic dentistry options on our website.
Tips for Making your Veneers Last Longer
The most important tip when trying to make your veneers last longer is this: Look after them! Just like with regular teeth, veneers are not invincible, and they can suffer wear and tear with time. Porcelain veneers will last longer due to the properties of the material, though they will eventually need replacing.
Composite veneers, on the other hand, are a reasonably affordable option that do last – and are ideal for emergency repairs or instant smile makeovers. Composite resin is more susceptible to yellowing or discolouration than porcelain, so you may benefit from more regular cleaning or scale and polishing appointments. Here are a few of our other tried and tested tips on how to make your veneers last:
Follow Aftercare Instructions
Once your veneers have been applied and you’re all set to show off your smile, your cosmetic dentist will provide you with aftercare instructions – at least for the 24-48 hours following your treatment.
Quit Smoking
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your dental and oral health, and it will make your veneers much less likely to last as long as you’d like them to. Whether they stain more or the harmful by-products of tobacco contribute to dental health concerns that can compromise the integrity of your veneers, it’s just not a good idea.
Get a Custom Mouthguard
A bespoke-fitted mouthguard is something we offer to patients who play contact sports, and to patients who suffer with bruxism – grinding the teeth. This often happens at night, and many patients aren’t even aware they’re doing it. With veneers, bruxism can cause the material to wear down much faster, reducing the overall longevity of your new smile. If you wake up with tension headaches or your partner notices you grinding your teeth at night, let us know.
Visit Your Dentist Regularly
We do like to see our patients regularly so we can check their veneers are looking just as good as when we first applied them! Coming back to us for regular checkups is a vital part of keeping your veneers looking better for longer.
Reduce Staining Drinks
With composite veneers in particular, you may want to cut down on the number of drinks you consume that can stain the teeth. Composite resin is more likely to pick up staining compounds, especially in the first couple of days after having them fitted.
Porcelain veneers are more stain-resistant, though they’re not immune to discolouration over time. Staining drinks include things like coffee, tea, and red wine. It might be a good idea to switch tea for green tea, or your black coffee for a softer latte – though don’t forget these can still stain with time. You might prefer to drink through a straw following your veneer treatment to avoid the potential for these darker compounds to bind to your new teeth.
Avoid Certain Foods
Similar to how we’ve mentioned cutting down on your intake of staining drinks, you may also want to think about reducing the amount of staining foods you eat. Foods with darker pigments in them include things like berries, tomatoes, vinegars and dark sauces, richly pigmented spices like turmeric, and vibrant veg like beetroot.
Lasting Veneers with Kamran Rasul in Liverpool
If you’re undecided on which type of veneers to go for, we can help. The best way to get expert advice is by coming to see us in our Liverpool clinic. You can call our reception on 0151 433 9634 to book an appointment.
Comments