Dr. Walsh-Cole's Cosmetic Dentistry Blog

One of the concerns people have about having veneers placed is whether their veneers will last. Dental veneers, sometimes called porcelain veneers, are actually highly durable and with proper placement and care can last decades. The durability of veneers depends on three main factors:

Material is one of the most important factors in determining the durability of porcelain veneers. In recent years, the porcelain used to make veneers has become much more durable. Instead of being a pure ceramic, in most cases it is combined with a plastic material to create a composite material that is both strong and tough. Innovations in manufacturing have also dramatically reduced the incidence of microscopic flaws that can sometimes lead to premature failure of veneers.

Placement of your veneers can also help them survive or lead to premature failure. In getting porcelain veneers, it is important to work with a neuromuscular dentist or other dentist who appreciates the importance of your bite in protecting veneers from undue biting forces. If you are trying to cover teeth that have been chipped when biting or have numerous stress cracks, it is important to have your bite evaluated and potentially corrected to ensure your veneers do not suffer the same fate.

Care of your veneers is another important element to ensuring maximum lifetime of your dental veneers. If you follow Dr. Walsh-Cole’s instructions and commonsense guidelines such as not using your veneers as bottle-openers, you will help your dental veneers last as long as possible.

With all the above, studies have shown that about 95% of veneers last 11 years or more, with many of them lasting 20 years.

If you have more questions about dental veneers or want to schedule a consultation to talk to Dr. Walsh-Cole in person at our Encinitas office, please contact us today.