I’m sure there are some people out there that just can’t wait to go to the dentist. They sit at home and stare at their teeth in the mirror looking for even the slightest issue so that they can schedule that next appointment to their favorite place in the world. However, I’m going to also guess that you, as the reader of this article, are not one of those people, and you are reading this article about how long do dental veneers last out of necessity. Folks who look into dental veneers are people who are, I assume, not excited to go in and just get a crown or a dental implant to improve the appearance of their teeth, like the maybe 3 people on the planet who love going to the dentist.
When asking, “how long do dental veneers last” we can’t just say “blank” amount of time, because the answer is just a bit more complicated than that. There are several different types of veneers that all last for different amounts of time, as well as different brands of veneers that all have either their own different quality or prices. So, let’s dive right in.
Where Did Dental Veneers Come From?
The first Dental veneers were used in a movie in 1928 to temporality change the appearance of an actor’s teeth by dentist Charles Pincus. (CL, 1937). Dr. Pincus later fabricated acrylic veneers that were bonded using a denture adhesive. These first veneers turned out to be very temporary due to the lack of adhesion. Later, in 1959 Dr. Buonocore began to etch the enamel of teeth so that porcelain veneers would adhere for a longer duration. In 1982 research by Simonsen and Calamia (R., 1983) discovered that the use of hydrofluoric acid could etch the porcelain itself and bond strengths between composite resins and porcelain would keep the veneers attached to the tooth almost permanently.
Today, this process has been perfected by dentists. Additionally, the quality of the fabricated materials vastly improved. Now, due to the research of Dr. Pincus, Simonsen, and Calamia, dental veneers are a commonplace procedure in any dental office. Now, in order to detail exactly how long do dental veneers last, let’s take a look at all the different types of dental veneers used today.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are by far the best-looking and least harmful material for dental restorations. Why? Porcelain also happens to be the highest quality of material used in dental veneers today. On top of that porcelain laminate veneers are biocompatible, which means the chances of the porcelain causing damage to your gums and other soft tissues of the mouth is very low. Porcelain veneers will also blend in with your natural tooth color more so than other materials are highly stain-resistant and long-lasting compared to other materials.
On the other hand, porcelain veneers are the most expensive veneers you can get, costing right around $900 to $2,500 per tooth. Also, the procedure to get porcelain veneers takes a great deal of time and is highly invasive and often very painful. So, when it comes to porcelain, how long do these veneers last? Typically, 8 to 15 years.
Composite Veneers
Composite Veneers are made out of a resin that is a mixture of organic and inorganic materials. Generally, composite veneers are a combination of the initiator, the resin itself, and the coupling agent. The material used to bond the composite veneers to your tooth is the same as what is used for porcelain veneers. However, composite veneers do not last as long as their porcelain cousins.
On the bright side, the composite veneers are quite a bit less expensive than porcelain and also blend in quite well with the color of your other teeth. However, composite veneers are prone to stains over time. Composite veneers are very much less invasive to have done than porcelain, but the procedure takes around the same time to complete. However, composite veneers are easier to repair if chipped or broken. Composite veneers cost right around $250 to $1500 per tooth.
So, to the question at hand, regarding Composite, how long do these dental veneers last? Typically, 5 to 7 years.
Lumineers
Lumineers are a brand of veneers that are quite popular in the United States. Not to be confused with the rock band THE Lumineers, Lumineers are an ultra-thin porcelain laminate veneers. The difference between Lumineers and regular porcelain veneers is that much less of the tooth has to be filed down before placing the Lumineer. Lumineers are usually used for discolored and strangely shaped teeth.
One of the reasons Lumineers are so popular is because they are the only type of veneer that is reversible. Also, Lumineers can be placed in just one or two visits. Furthermore, getting Lumineers is by far the least invasive in setting than all the standard veneers available today. Lumineers do come in more expensive than composite veneers but just a tad less expensive than traditional porcelain. Lumineers cost aright around $800 to $2,000 per tooth.
If you take good care of your Lumineers with daily brushings and flossing they can last from 5 to 20 years.
Temporary and Removeable Veneers
Finally, in our quest to answer the question, how long do dental veneers last, we come to the removable (temporary) veneers. Sometimes even referred to as “snap-on” veneers, they can be purchased at dentist offices of even through the mail. Generally, an impression of your teeth is made, and that impression is sent to a lab where your temporary veneers are fabricated. The best part about temporary veneers is that there is zero grinding down of the teeth that have to be done.
Removable veneers are a quick-fix option that normally only costs right around $20 to $50 for the whole set. However temporary veneers have been known to cause plaque build-up and harm your gums over the long-term use. Also, temporary veneers do not look near at natural as the other veneer options we have covered.
How long do temporary veneers last? The answer could be “forever,” I would say. However, dentists do NOT recommend that you use temporary veneers due to the damage that they cause to your gums.
The Summary of How Long do Dental Veneers Last
We hope that at this point we have covered all the information regarding the question of how long do dental veneers last. As well as answered some other questions you may have had regarding which kind of dental veneer is right for you. Regardless of which kind of dental veneer you may want for your teeth, our dentists and dental staff here at City Dental Centers are ready to create the best smile you can have.
We have offices throughout Southern California and if you have any more questions about how long do dental veneers last, or any other questions about our services, please call us today.
Works Cited
- CL, P. (1937). Building mouth personality. California State Dental Association.
- R., S. R. (1983). Tensile Bond Strengths of Etched Porcelain. Journal of Dental Research, Vol. 62.
Convenient Dentist Offices in Southern California
Doctor Sam Shahovesi and the team at City Dental Centers are here to provide our patients with the best dental services and dental surgeries for children and adults of all ages. From toddlers to seniors, City Dental Centers offers six convenient dentist offices in Southern California. We even have a dedicated children’s dentist office, City Dental Kids & Braces, to cater to the special physical and emotional needs of children.
Whether you need checkups, x-rays, braces, bonding, teeth whitening, sealants, oral cancer screenings, root canals, crowns, bridges, implants, or tooth extraction, City Dental Centers is here to make the process as easy and comfortable as possible.
Contact The Nearest Dentist to You
Ready to experience the best dentists in Los Angeles? Choose one of the convenient dental offices we have surrounding LA. We have dental practices in Azusa, Corona, Lake Forest, Montclair, Pico Rivera, and West Covina. You can call our main line at (888) 624-8933 or reach out to an office directly with the information below. We’re so happy you’ve chosen City Dental Centers. We can’t wait to help you along your dental journey and brighten your beautiful smile!
Dentist in Azusa, CA
Location: 483 S. Citrus Ave. Azusa, CA 91702
Phone: (626) 966-3400
Dentist in Corona, CA
Location: 161 McKinley St. STE 102, Corona, CA 92879
Phone: (951) 737-3746
Dentist in Lake Forest, CA
Location: 24602 Raymond Way #210, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Phone: (949) 461-5800
Dentist in Montclair, CA
Location: 5182 Moreno St, Montclair, CA 91763
Phone: (909) 295-3477
Dentist in Pico Rivera, CA
Location: 9400 Whittier Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Phone: (562) 949-2526
Dentist in West Covina, CA
Location: 154 Plaza Dr, West Covina, CA 91790
Phone: (626) 962-1722