How Long Do Veneers Last?

Turn on the TV or look on social media today and you’ll see people with perfect, even smiles that are so white they’re blinding. This perspective can cause anyone with less-than-ideal teeth to feel insecure. It’s normal, especially when our smiles are often the first things seen by others when we meet.

You wouldn’t be quite as self-conscious if you knew how many of those Insta-influencer smiles were filtered, or how many Hollywood celebs had cosmetic dental procedures. There’s nothing wrong with either of these scenarios; it simply shows that you, too, could have the “ideal” smile if you wanted it.

All you need to do is head to Bayly Dental. Our expert professionals can take care of every dental concern you have, including cosmetic procedures.

Scientific innovations in dentistry have resulted in appliances and treatments like braces, whitening procedures, and veneers. These techniques and many more are available at Bayly Dental. For individuals with “flawed” smiles, veneers are one of the most popular methods around.

Don’t be fooled by the size when you see them. Veneers may be tiny, but these little shells pack a mighty punch. They’re so versatile, they’re able to hide things like:

• Teeth with cracks and chips in them
• Stained teeth that are resistant to lightening with treatments
• Gaps or spaces between teeth
• Teeth with damage caused by bruxism
• Slightly crooked teeth that aren’t severe enough for braces

You might wonder how can something so minuscule can do so much. The key is in the material that we use to make a veneer.

Want to learn more about these exciting dental accessories? Keep reading for the details!

The History of Veneers

Veneers are a type of dental accessory that was invented back in 1928. They’ve come a long way since their inception. In short, a veneer is a wafer-thin shell that is designed to conceal multiple kinds of flaws in an individual tooth. 

They were originally created for celebrities as a way to hide what producers considered to be imperfections in the big-screen smiles. Since the concealment was only necessary for the length of a scene shooting, the veneer only had to last an hour or two. 

But the idea “stuck,” and for decades, researchers would try to find a way to get the shell to stay on a tooth permanently.

 In the ‘80s, the idea of dental etching and a stronger adhesive agent appeared. Veneers could stay on for years instead of weeks, giving us the veneers we have today. This evolution of adhesion is where the term “veneer” went from “temporary” to “permanent.” 

More About Veneers

Dentists often recommend veneers when a patient comes in unhappy with certain aspects of their smile. If you’re considering this dental treatment as your next health investment, you have a couple of decisions to make. This guide gives you the details about each type of veneer so you can make an informed choice.

To start with, the veneers of today are a culmination of decades of advances in technology. That means there is no bad choice. You have two materials to pick from, and both of them will conceal the flaw in your smile and blend in naturally.

The two best, most biologically and aesthetically natural materials that are used to create veneers are composite resin and porcelain. Which one you want your veneer made from is up to you.

When you use a professional dental office like Bayly Dental, the veneer you get will look and feel like the rest of your teeth. We use high-quality ingredients and equipment to sculpt, shape, and color the material to match the surrounding ones. The final result is a transformed smile you’ll fall in love with instantly.

However, you do have to choose between composite resin and porcelain. The material that’s right for you depends on your lifestyle and what you want to get from these dental correctors.

Which Veneer Type is Best for You?

Either veneer type you choose will look similar, and the process of having them applied is almost the same, too. 

However, the differences that are in each material may play a big factor in your decision. We’ll begin by taking you from start to finish of having a veneer applied and walk you through each choice along the way.

First, you’ll schedule an appointment to talk to the dentist about which parts of your smile you want to cover up. When you both decide that veneers are the next step, the dentist will make an impression of your teeth with a mold. That mold is used to design your veneer. 

Custom or Standard?

Here’s your first choice. Will you have customized or standard veneers made? 

If you opt for standard veneers, you don’t have to worry about choosing the material. These are always composite resin. It’s a cheaper material, so it’s easier to keep on hand in the office. Composite resin has a lot of advantages, primarily the speed. If you decide on the non-customized composite resin veneer, it may be placed as early as the first visit. 

Non-customized composite resin veneers are the go-to choice for people who want to conceal a flaw fast, such as when they’ve cracked a front tooth. It’s also perfect for those on a tight budget.

If you decide to go with customized composite resin or porcelain, the wait time could be a week or a little longer. The benefit of customizing, though, is that your veneer will be identical to the color and shape of your natural teeth.

What’s the Lifespan?

When you decide to make an investment in veneers, you’ll have questions like, “How long do veneers last on front teeth,” and “Are veneers permanent?” Feel free to ask anything you’re wondering. This guide should clarify many of those queries before you get to the office. 

As we mentioned, the term “temporary veneers” came from the original designs. We still use a form of them for emergency situations. These can last up to ten days or so. On the other hand, “permanent” veneers have a lifespan that can last closer to 15 years with regular maintenance and care.

If the top factor in your veneers is to have it placed and then never worry about, porcelain is the best option. Porcelain is the closest material to the natural tooth as you can get and still be able to sculpt and color it. It resembles human enamel almost perfectly.

Consider Your Lifestyle Habits Next

Your goal is to have a veneer that lasts as long as possible. Along the way, your lifestyle habits could affect the overall quality, though. 

For example, let’s consider your daily habits. Enamel can stain, and so can veneers. Habits that discolor your teeth can do the same thing to veneers over time. 

People who have regular coffee, tea, or soda drinking habits should opt for porcelain if they want to avoid staining their veneers. Tobacco users should also go with this material. Porcelain can still become discolored, but it’s much more difficult. 

What hobbies or careers do you have? Porcelain is a better choice for anyone who has regular high-impact physical contact, like what you’d get in many sports or certain jobs. The material has a longer natural lifespan of 10-15 years instead of 5-10 with composite resin. Plus, it’s more resistant to damage, so people with high-impact lifestyles prefer porcelain.

Any veneer can loosen or crack with too much pressure or wear and tear. Repairing veneers is simple if you catch it early enough.

Bayly Dental Can Help You Care for Your Smile

At Bayly Dental, we’ll work with you to customize an individual plan that fits your needs and your budget. Contact us now to get started on the road to that Hollywood smile of your dreams!