What Happens to Dental Veneers After 10 Years?

Dental veneers offer cosmetic and oral health benefits. Various materials, such as composite and porcelain, are used to develop dental veneers for patients.

But no matter which type of dental veneers you use, they will not last forever. In fact, most people have to replace their dental veneers after 10 years.

Contrary to popular belief, dental veneers are not a permanent solution for straighter or whiter teeth.

You will eventually need to replace your dental veneers after they wear out. The question is, how long will it take for your dental veneers to wear out?

Signs Your Dental Veneers Have Worn Out After 10 Years

The average dental professional recommends replacing your dental veneers after a decade.

Ten years is the typical length of time it takes for dental veneers to wear out. Then you will notice specific signs of wear and tear on the dental veneers that you never saw before.

The signs are as follows:

1) Cracked or Chipped Veneers

If you notice cracks or chips in the dental veneer material after 10 years, it is time for a replacement.

The porcelain or composite resin material cannot provide adequate strength for the veneers after it has formed cracks and chips. It is the easiest sign of wear to recognize.

2) Loosened Veneers

Dental veneers are supposed to stay firmly bonded to your natural teeth.

But if your natural teeth are no longer strong, the durability of your veneers won’t matter.

So if you start noticing your veneers loosening and separating from your teeth, it could signify that your natural teeth are decayed or damaged.

In this situation, you may need a tooth extraction after removing your veneers. Talk to your dentist for more information.

3) Stained Veneers

Dental veneers are supposed to be stain-resistant but may still develop stains or discoloring over time, especially if made of composite resins.

For instance, consuming beverages like coffee and tea can stain your veneers and cause the material to break down and diminish.

4) Gap Between Gums and Veneers

During your initial veneer installation, the dentist takes a mold of your mouth to ensure a perfect fit.

But you must maintain good oral hygiene to ensure your dental veneers continue fitting well after 10 years.

Poor oral hygiene causes gum decay, which creates a gap between your gums and veneers.

Unfortunately, the veneers will no longer fit perfectly if your gums recede after 10 years. The only solution in this situation is to get a new mold for your mouth, followed by replacement veneers.

Prolong The Lifespan of Your Dental Veneers Beyond 10 Years

It is possible to prolong the lifespan of dental veneers beyond 10 years if you take proper care of them.

Here are tips any dentist would recommend to preserve your dental veneers past 10 years:

1) Maintain a Good Diet

A good diet is essential for so many reasons. Most people don’t realize that a good and healthy diet can extend the lifespan of dental veneers past 10 years.

The secret is to avoid all beverages and foods which stain teeth, such as coffee, tea, pasta, wine, soda, etc.

If you cannot quit consuming these beverages and foods outright, then at least consume them in moderation.

You should also gargle mouthwash and brush your teeth after every meal. That can go a long way in saving your veneers from deterioration after consuming these foods and beverages.

2) Don’t Tear Objects with Your Teeth

Never use your teeth to tear open packages or bite anything other than food.

Your veneers may be durable but can still crack or chip if misused. In fact, you could even chip or crack your natural teeth by chewing or tearing on non-food items.

If you only bite and chew food, your veneers should last 10 years or longer.

Of course, you must still do everything else right to take care of your veneers and oral hygiene.

3) Practice Good Oral Hygiene

Always practice good oral hygiene. Make a ritual of using mouthwash, brushing your teeth, and flossing your teeth. It will go a long way in protecting your veneers and preserving their lifespan beyond 10 years.

4) Get Regular Dental Cleanings

Schedule professional dental cleanings twice yearly (once every six months). Dental cleanings ensure all plaque and tartar get removed from your teeth before they have a chance to damage them.

Conclusion

Of course, you cannot continue to prolong your dental veneers beyond ten years forever. Eventually, you will need to visit a dentist to replace your dental veneers with new ones.

The veneer replacement process is similar to the initial installation.

First, the dentist will remove the old veneers and bonding agent from your natural teeth.

After that, they will take new molds of your natural teeth and apply a new bonding agent to them. Finally, the new veneers will get bonded to your teeth.