Caring for Veneers: How Long They Last and What Helps
If you have veneers, or you are about to, two practical questions come up quickly: how do you look after them, and how long will they last? This article stays on those two. For what veneers are in the first place, there is a separate piece.
How long veneers last
Veneers have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years with proper care (Cleveland Clinic). The figure describes veneers in general, not any particular set.
Everyday care
Brushing, flossing and visiting your dentist regularly are all you need to do to keep veneers in good working condition. A soft-bristled toothbrush and non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste are recommended, and it's best to avoid whitening products, as they can scratch veneers (Cleveland Clinic).
To make veneers last, you should avoid biting directly into hard or crunchy foods like apples, carrots and tough meats (Cleveland Clinic).
The tooth underneath
There is also the tooth itself: it is still possible for the natural tooth structure underneath to decay (Cleveland Clinic).
Whitening
Whitening deserves its own note. Whiteners may not correct all types of discoloration, so it is important to talk to your dentist before deciding to whiten: yellow teeth will probably bleach well, brown teeth may not respond as well and teeth with gray tones may not bleach at all. Whitening will not work on caps, veneers, crowns or fillings (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)).
What can go wrong over time
A veneer may chip, crack, wear down or loosen over time, requiring your dentist to re-bond, repair or replace it (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)). It is also possible for a veneer to fall off or become dislodged (Cleveland Clinic).
Whether veneers are the right choice in the first place is a different question, and so is what to weigh before treatment; both are covered in the trade-offs of veneers.
Our office is at 147 Main St, 2nd Floor, Lodi, NJ 07644, and Dr. Steven Liao is our dentist. Also on this site: our veneers page. If a first visit is the next step, that is our first-visit page.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. "Veneers." Updated 2022-07-18. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23522-dental-veneers
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). "Veneers." https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/veneers
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). "Teeth Whitening." https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/teeth-whitening
