How Long Do Veneers Last?

    WASHINGTON, DC, April 12, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Porcelain veneers are one of the longest-lasting cosmetic dentistry treatments. Durable and stain-resistant, porcelain veneers only need to be replaced when something happens to the structure of the veneer, or the tooth or gums around it.

There is no certain number of years that your veneers must be replaced, but most dentists say that porcelain veneers need to be replaced after about 10 to 15 years. At this point, some kind of wear or change in your gum tissue may necessitate replacement of your veneers. Some patients replace their veneers because they have decided to whiten their teeth, which will not whiten a veneer.

Longevity of Porcelain Veneers

Generally, porcelain veneers need to be replaced after about ten years; however, the longevity of veneers varies greatly for each patient. Some patients need their veneers replaced after only five years, while others find that their veneers remain viable for 30 years or longer.
There is no definite point at which you must replace veneers. Instead, certain situations may call for replacement, including:

- Desired color change
- Cracks in the veneer
- Decay at the edges of the veneer
- Gum recession exposes the edge of the veneer

If any of these events occur, your cosmetic dentist may recommend replacing the veneer. Typically, you will not have the option of simply removing the veneer without replacement. Because the enamel of your tooth is changed prior to placing a porcelain veneer, you will always need a veneer to protect the surface of your tooth.

Advantages of Porcelain Veneers

In addition to their longevity, porcelain veneers have several other advantages, including:

- Natural-looking appearance
- Stain resistant
- Fracture resistant

Veneers reflect light, giving them depth and a natural luminescence like your real teeth. Porcelain veneers also resist staining, so you should not have to replace them because of stains - although, if you wish to whiten your teeth, you will have to replace your current veneers with brighter ones to match your whitened smile.

The porcelain material used to construct veneers is durable. Although thin in width, veneers are quite strong and fracture-resistant; however, veneers can break. People who play sports or grind their teeth at night may exert enough force on their veneers to crack them. Fractured veneers must be replaced.

If you live in Washington DC or Northern Virginia, including Alexandria and Arlington, and would like to learn more about porcelain veneers, please visit the website of experienced cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Chung at Softouch Dental Care at www.softouchdentalcare.com.

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