Whenever you revamp your smile, you want your investment to pay off — even if it’s just a $20 whitening kit. But when you invest hundreds or thousands, seeing that payoff is significantly more important.
Traditional veneers range from $250–$2,500 per tooth, depending on the material and the dentist you work with. For most of us, that’s a hefty price tag, but depending on how many years you can get out of them, it might be worth it. So, how long should you expect your veneers to last? As it ends up, the answer is more complicated than you might expect. Here’s what you need to know before getting traditional veneers.
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What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin shells made from dental porcelain, ceramic, or composite. They are bonded directly to individual teeth and are customized to reflect your smile goals — for example, being whiter, larger, or shaped differently than the natural tooth.
While materials vary in their ranges of treatment, veneers can cover up many imperfections, including:
- Stains
- Cracks
- Chips
- Gaps
- Irregular shapes
- Misalignments
- Worn teeth
- Small teeth
Veneers do not correct issues with the teeth; they only hide them. The one exception is using porcelain veneers to restore tooth strength after enamel loss. However, they’re primarily cosmetic, not restorative.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
There is no guarantee on veneer lifespans, just averages for how long they last. As a whole, veneers last anywhere from 7–20+ years. However, it also varies based on the type of veneer you choose.
- Composite Veneers: Made from dental resin, a durable form of plastic, they are essentially the same as dental bonding, and they often last 7–10 years.
- Ceramic Veneers: Modern dental ceramic usually contains lithium disilicate mixed with silicon dioxide. However, the term ceramic applies for any inorganic material produced by applying heat. Ceramic veneers usually last 10–15 years.
- Lumineers: Exclusively made by DenMat, these no-prep veneers use Cerinate® porcelain. DenMat does not disclose the exact ingredients but they can last 10–20 years.
- Porcelain Veneers: Porcelain is a type of ceramic, and dental porcelain is typically some combination of natural feldspar, kaolin, and quartz. Stronger than standard dental ceramic, these veneers usually last 15–20 years.
Given these are averages, the lifespan of your veneers could fall outside these ranges. However, they offer a solid guideline for calculating the viability of the investment.
Why Do Veneers Need Replacing?
In theory, veneers that are well made, placed correctly, and properly maintained can last a lifetime — but it’s rare. All things age and change with time, including your teeth, jawbone, and gums, as well as the veneers themselves and the dental cement used to bond them to the teeth.
One of the biggest reasons why you need to replace veneers is failure of the dental cement. Over time, it weakens because of stress from biting into foods and the veneers become loose. In some cases, your dentist can simply reattach them with fresh dental cement, while in others, you’ll need a replacement.
The veneers themselves can weaken over time too. This makes them more likely to pull away from the dental cement and more vulnerable to cracks and chips.
Changes to your dental anatomy can also force you to replace your veneers. If you experience gum recession, this can cause staining and harm to the dental cement. Bone loss can allow the teeth to shift positions, placing stress on the veneers. Tooth erosion and decay can also alter the bite enough to damage the veneers. The better your oral health, the less likely you’ll need to replace your veneers, but expect that you’ll need to eventually.
Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Veneers
Because there is no set date for replacing your veneers, it’s a matter of keeping an eye on them and reaching out to your dentist when you know — or at least suspect — that something is wrong. If you notice any of the following, you’ll likely need to replace your veneers:
- Stains on or around the veneers
- Gum recession around the teeth with veneers
- Visible definition between the veneer and the tooth
- Rough edges on the veneers
- Cracks or chips in the veneer
- Loose or uncomfortable veneers
- Changes in tooth alignment
- Tooth decay in the teeth with veneers
Extending Your Veneers’ Lifespan
While replacing your veneers is probably inevitable, you can extend their lifespan with the right approach. This starts with basic oral hygiene. Brush and floss twice a day, every day. If you can brush your teeth in the afternoon as well, even better. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive toothpaste to avoid damaging your veneers and gums. And don’t skip your twice-yearly dental visits.
Be gentle on your teeth. Don’t use them as tools and don’t bite your nails. If you have bruxism, even a mild case, get a night guard. And be sure to wear a protective mouthguard if you play sports.
You also need to take care with your diet. Try to moderate how much coffee, tea, and red wine you drink since they can cause stains. Try to consume fewer acidic foods and drinks — lemonade, sodas, ceviche, etc. — as these can wear down the teeth and the dental cement. Also, try to avoid biting into hard or tough foods. Instead, cut them into bite-sized pieces and chew them with your molars.
Alternatives to Veneers
At this point, you have likely decided whether veneers last long enough to be a worthy investment. So, what if you don’t think they’re a good fit? If that’s the case, consider some alternative treatments. Because veneers can address a wide variety of concerns, there are actually several alternatives that might work for you, such as:
- Snap-On Veneers: Just like traditional veneers, snap-on veneers hide flaws behind the facade of perfect teeth. The difference is that they cover most or all teeth in an arch — and often for less than you’d pay for even a single porcelain veneer. Plus, they’re removable.
- Clear Aligners: If you want veneers to bridge a gap or hide crooked teeth, consider using clear aligners to correct your alignment instead. In-office aligners like Invisalign can fix even complex misalignments. If the gap you want to cover is small or you have mild-to-moderate misalignments in your front teeth, at-home aligners like Byte can make the same corrections as traditional ones while saving you time and money.
- Teeth Whitening: If tooth discoloration is your primary motivator for getting veneers, teeth whitening is a great alternative. Even deep stains are now treatable with certain professional whitening systems.
- Teeth Contouring: This procedure replaces veneers by making changes directly to the tooth, altering their size and shape.
Final Thoughts
In most cases, your veneers won’t last a lifetime. Before you decide if they are right for you, look at the average lifespan for different materials, as well as alternative treatments that can address the same concerns.
Look up other people’s results, compare them with your goals, and figure out how the costs line up with your budget — factoring in the replacement costs over the years. Before you know it, you’ll have the perfect treatment for your smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are composite veneers made from?
They are made from dental resin, a highly durable plastic safe for use on the teeth and similar to dental bonding.
What ingredients are in dental porcelain?
Dental porcelain is a combination of feldspar, kaolin, and quartz. The exact formula varies between laboratories.
Why are composite veneers more delicate than porcelain?
Plastics are weaker than porcelain. Think about how much easier it is to bend a plastic cup vs. a porcelain mug. Composite veneers just don’t have the same level of strength, making them easier to break.
Do veneers cause damage to the teeth?
It depends on what you mean by “damage.” If you mean accidental harm to the teeth, well-made and well-placed veneers should not cause damage. However, most veneers require some enamel removal before placement, which permanently alters and weakens the teeth.
Will having veneers change the way I speak?
They can cause a slight lisp at first, but most people don’t experience any changes. This is because veneers go on the fronts of the teeth and just wrap around enough to cover the edges. Since we don’t use these surfaces much to form speech, it rarely alters how we talk.
How should I care for my veneers?
Treat them like your natural teeth, but take extra care when eating. Hard and tough foods can chip your veneers or even make them pop off the teeth.
Is it better to get veneers from a cosmetic or general dentist?
Both can deliver excellent results, but cosmetic dentists tend to consider facial balance more than general dentists do. This can help ensure the best overall results. Just keep in mind that, as specialists, they often charge more for their work.
What is the number one thing I can do to make my veneers last longer?
The top thing you can do is keep up with your oral hygiene. Brush and floss twice a day, use gentle toothbrushes and toothpastes, and see your dentist twice a year for checkups and cleanings.
Should I replace my veneers even if everything seems fine?
No. If you and your dentist feel your veneers are in excellent shape, you can keep them until there is a clear need for replacement.
Are veneers ultimately a good investment?
That’s a personal decision. For some people, they might be, but others might think they’re too expensive.
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