What Happens When veneers get old? (2024)

You get dental veneers to hide minor dental flaws with your teeth, such as gaps, chips, breaks, discoloration, and irregularly shaped teeth, because you feel they don’t complement your smile. You start enjoying your new smile with the veneers and lose track of time until one fine day, and you start thinking they have become old and wonder what you must do with them.

The answer to your question is apparent. Veneers are durable surfaces with the material having five, 10, or 20 years of longevity. However, you must replace them eventually when you think they are too old or notice damage on them that impacts your smile. As veneers age, they change shape, develop cracks and breaks and cause the gaps to widen. If you are curious about when veneers need replacement, reading this article will help ease your curiosity. After realizing that your veneers need replacement, you can schedule your appointment with the dentist near you to replace the surfaces.

How Often Do Veneers Need Replacements?

The longevity of dental veneers varies between individuals and the material you choose for the surface. Dental veneers are slimy shells of porcelain, composite resin, and laminate bonded to the front surface of your teeth. The materials have different lifespans and depend on the care you provide to them to appear beautiful.

Porcelain veneers have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. However, proper care can extend their longevity for over two decades to have them complement your smile. On the other hand, composite veneers last between seven years, but you can extend the longevity to approximately a decade with copper dental hygiene. Laminates also have a similar lifespan. However, all need replacements eventually when they display signs of wear, develop cracks or breakage, discolor, become loose, or fall out.

When you notice your veneers appearing dull, discolored, chipped, broken, or loose, you must meet your dentist to discuss whether it is time to replace the surfaces.

You might need replacements for veneers faster the expected if you don’t care for them as suggested by your dentist when getting them on your teeth. In addition, unconscious habits like teeth grinding and jaw clenching, opening packages with your teeth, biting ice, fingernails, or complex objects can also damage your veneers, needing replacements faster than usual. Therefore while there is no fixed time as to when you might need replacements for the surfaces, you must understand the shells need replacement eventually as they age or become damaged due to the habits described in this article.

Why Are My Veneers Turning Yellow?

If having porcelain veneers on your teeth, they are less likely to stain or become yellow over time. However, composite resin veneers are not as stain-resistant as porcelain veneers and can accumulate stains from extended exposure to pigmented foods and beverages besides smoking stains.

Dentists advise when providing veneers to care for your teeth appropriately by avoiding habits, foods, and beverages that might discolor or damage the surfaces. If you do not adhere to the dentist’s advice and notice discoloration, whitening them is practically impossible. They require replacements if you care for your smile and want it to appear beautiful. You must contact your dentist to restore your lost confidence in your smile.

What to Do When Veneers Get Old?

When your veneers become old, you merely have one option to cover your tooth damage.

Porcelain veneers on teeth need replacements with similar surfaces undergoing the same procedure you did when you got the shells on your teeth. It includes visiting your dentist a couple of times, enduring teeth grinding, temporary veneers, and getting the new veneers placed on your teeth after they arrive from the dental laboratory.

On the other hand, if you have composite resin veneers, the dentist can replace them in a straightforward procedure by removing the existing surfaces, etching your teeth, and placing the composite resin material on your teeth in one appointment.

Laminates are perhaps the least bothersome because you can consider replacing them or discuss alternatives with your dentist to hide your dental imperfections.

The veneer you have on your teeth and the care you provide to the surfaces determines what you can do with them when they get old. For example, you cannot leave your teeth unprotected if you have porcelain veneers. However, the other surfaces allow you to choose between veneers or alternative treatments like dental crowns to hide your teeth instead of veneers. However, regardless of the therapeutic option, you choose replacements become eventual after their intended lifespan.

If you think your dental veneers are aging and not appearing as beautiful as they did earlier StarWhite Dental can help you replace them or suggest alternatives for the surfaces. Contacting the practice to consult your options will help you restore confidence in your smile.

What Happens When veneers get old? (2024)

FAQs

What happens to veneers when you get old after? ›

Veneers are durable surfaces with the material having five, 10, or 20 years of longevity. However, you must replace them eventually when you think they are too old or notice damage on them that impacts your smile. As veneers age, they change shape, develop cracks and breaks and cause the gaps to widen.

What happens after 20 years of veneers? ›

If you don't replace veneers when needed, they may deteriorate in appearance and function. Over time, veneers can become more prone to chipping, staining, and wear. This can result in a less attractive smile and potentially impact your dental health.

What happens after 10 years of porcelain veneers? ›

It is estimated that after 10 years, some 50% of dental veneers fail in some way — they may dislodge, wear down (for example, from grinding of the teeth), or otherwise need revision. Good oral hygiene can help prolong the life of your veneers.

What happens to veneers if you don't replace them? ›

The veneers will start separating from the tooth, making it easier for bacteria to get in. Over time, the tooth under the veneer will decay. The veneers may become loose and fall out, leaving your teeth exposed and unprotected. The veneers will stain and lose their brightness, giving you a dull, yellowish smile.

What happens to original teeth under veneers? ›

Veneers cover only the front of your teeth, not the backs or the sides. It's true that, under veneers, the fronts of your teeth aren't as exposed to sugars, acids, bacteria and other things that can cause damage to your enamel, but the rest of the tooth remains as exposed as normal.

Can you go back to your regular teeth after veneers? ›

It's vital to acknowledge that opting for dental veneers is a non-reversible commitment. The enamel removal during the initial application is permanent, making this a lifelong decision. Understanding the permanence is crucial before embarking on the journey to a revamped smile.

What is the 4 8 10 rule for veneers? ›

4-8-10 Rule.

Due to lack of knowledge or cost considerations, patients may ask for veneers only for the first six anterior. This will give a less than ideal result. The 4-8-10 rule means that the most appropriate treatment plan is either treating teeth 7 to 10 or treating the anterior 8 to 10 teeth.

How do you know if teeth under veneers are decaying? ›

Routine dental X-rays

Often, dentists can first detect decay around a veneer on an X-ray taken at a routine dental appointment. A dark shadow around the margin of the restoration is typically the first sign that extra attention is needed. If caught in the early stages, treatment may be less invasive.

What's the longest veneers can last? ›

With reasonable precautions, dental veneers can last anywhere from 10 to 30 years. While you can eat almost anything you like, it is important to exercise reasonable precautions because dental veneers are not indestructible. Porcelain is a glass and can shatter with excessive pressure.

How many times can veneers be redone? ›

If Properly Fitted, Veneers Can Last 10-15 Years

Veneers can be made from different materials and porcelain ones can last for up to 15 years if they are properly maintained. This means that you will only need to replace them a few times throughout your life.

Are teeth permanently damaged for veneers? ›

Veneers will not cause damage to your natural teeth when an experienced cosmetic dentist carries out your cosmetic dental treatment plan. The most important thing to know about the safety of veneers is only to trust an experienced cosmetic dentist, and this can be said for all cosmetic dentistry treatments.

How often do veneers fall off on front teeth? ›

Veneers don't tend to come off quickly, only with a lack of proper oral hygiene, trauma to the mouth, or if they're coming to the end of their lifecycle. Porcelain veneers ordinarily last for around 10 to 15 years if taken care of adequately, and composite veneers for around 5 years.

Does anyone regret veneers? ›

Most people do not have any regrets about moving forward with veneers.

What happens when your veneers get old? ›

Aside from outright breaking, receding gums and natural tooth wear can cause veneers to appear to shrink, exposing the natural color of your teeth beneath the veneers.

How do dentists remove old veneers? ›

Laser crown and veneer removal can offer a more pleasant experience for both the dentist and the patient. This indication allows dentists to reduce the time it takes to remove crowns and veneers from sometimes 30 minutes to less than five minutes using Waterlase technology.

Do veneers go over your old teeth? ›

If you have stained or chipped teeth, you might be interested in veneers as they will cover up your existing teeth.

Can veneers last 30 years? ›

Having dental veneers fit by qualified cosmetic dentists such as those at The Dental Boutique means you can expect them to last a long time. Though they're not immortal, veneers are considered a permanent fixture, and they could last 10-30 years when properly looked after.

Do veneers dull over time? ›

Very old veneers (ones that were placed decades ago) may not be made out of the same high-quality materials that are in use today. They can begin to look dull with age. If that happens, you should speak to your cosmetic dentist about getting the veneers replaced.

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