How Durable Are Veneers Compared to Real Teeth?

Veneers are a great option for changing your appearance, but they are not maintenance free or unbreakable. The things that can damage a natural tooth will damage a veneer as well. Veneers that have been properly done and well cared for, can and do last a long time. Your veneers may very well last longer than you or your dentist expect. I think it's realistic to expect that they will need to be redone at least once, however. This would apply to porcelain veneers, composite veneers will not last as long or be as color stable.

Porcelain Veneers are my favorite solution for most esthetic situations because they are so durable and so natural in appearance. Properly designed and placed by an experienced cosmetic dentist and lab, they should not break to eating normal foods including apples, carrots, and hard bread. Veneers and teeth should not be used as tools to cut thread or fishing line, open pocket knives, bite finger nails, etc. In 28 years of placing veneers, I have yet to replace a case, however some could use remaking do to recession, discoloration of the underlying tooth, and shifting of teeth. Out of thousands of Veneers, about 50 have come off or fractured usually do to clenching and grinding or using teeth as tools. I hope this helps.

Porcelain Veneers are as durable as your own teeth as long as you take care of them. Your real teeth can crack if you use them as a tool to open wrappers, lids and other objects. If you hit your real teeth with a spoon or you fall your real teeth can crack or break off.  This applies to veneers as well.  You do not crush ice or bite down on really hard candy with either real teeth or veneers.  You need to take the same precuations with both.  Sensitivity to hot or cold is not affected with application of veneers. You need to make sure your bite is correct before Veneers are placed so there is noextra stress being placed on them.  You need to be aware if you are clench or grind your teeth and, if so, wear a bite guard at night to protect the veneers. When a veneer fails, it is usually due to poor hygiene on the part of the patient.  You need to brush regularly with a soft brush, floss and get regular dental checkups so there is no gum recession where decay may start under the veneer.  Longevity for this procedure is great .Veeners are a good cosmetic fix and will create a beautiful smile!  Good luck!

How long will my veneers last?  How durable are they?  These are common questions my patients ask me.  Properly constructed veneer restorations can last a lifetime.  There is a popular myth that they have to be replaced every 10-15 years.  This simply isn't factual.  Depending on the patient presenting situation and the technique and materials employed veneers can last a life time.  I have patients with veneers that are 15 years old and are in the same condition that they were when I put them in 15 years ago with no signs of degradation or deterioration.  A well designed and well executed tooth veneer system is stronger than a natural tooth and will last longer.  

The "state-of-the-art" porcelain veneer systems are as durable as real teeth! You wouldn't want to bang your real teeth with a spoon, nor would you want to chew on ice cubes, or bones, etc with your real teeth. Anything that can break, fracture or chip a real tooth, can break, fracture or chip a porcelain veneer. If veneers are done precisely, and within the proper occlusal guidelines (the way your upper and lower teeth bite into each other) of your situation, they should be as durable as your real teeth.