860-563-4544
Innerpage Hero image
Advanced general and cosmetic dentistry
delivered with complete comfort.
Request an Appointment

When Will I Need to Replace My Porcelain Veneers?

I got my porcelain veneers in 2019. When will I need to replace them? I ask because two have fallen off within the past six months. I got the veneers when I lived abroad for two years because they were much more affordable than U.S. prices. My dentist in TN says that the dentist who placed the veneers didn’t bond them correctly, so my dentist bonded them back. My dentist doesn’t do a lot of porcelain veneers cases, though. How long are porcelain veneers supposed to last, and when will I need to replace them? – Thank you. Klaus

Klaus,

Thank you for your question.

When Will You Need to Replace Your Porcelain Veneers?

Ordinarily, you will need to replace your porcelain veneers every seven to 20 years. The May 2021 issue of the European Journal of Dentistry published an article on the survival rate for porcelain veneers. In a sample of 499 porcelain veneers, the long-term survival rates were reported for five, ten, fifteen, and twenty years. The survival rates for porcelain veneers in the sample are as follows:

  • Five years – 98%
  • Ten years – 96%
  • Fifteen years – 91%
  • Twenty years – 91%

The lifespan of your veneers depends on several factors, including:

  • Porcelain quality
  • Bonding quality
  • How well you take care of them

Porcelain veneers are stain resistant, and well-bonded veneers do not fall off. You can ask a skilled cosmetic dentist to examine your veneers in anticipation of future concerns.

What Should You Consider Before Replacing Your Veneers?

We hope your dentist can help you preserve your existing veneers. When it is time for new porcelain veneers, consider the qualifications and credentials of the cosmetic dentist you choose. We recommend the following:

  • Look for dentists with extensive post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training.
  • Ask family or acquaintances for recommendations.
  • Read the dentists’ patient reviews.
  • Schedule consultations with at least two cosmetic dentists.
  • Ask to see pictures of each dentist’s porcelain veneers cases.
  • Express your concerns about your existing veneers and receiving long-lasting replacement veneers.

Best wishes for the health and beauty of your smile.

Rocky Hill, Connecticut, cosmetic dentist Dr. Thaddeus Michalski sponsors this post.

Before and after porcelain veneers photos from Rocky Hill/Hartford dentist Dr. Michalski

Is Replacing One Porcelain Veneer Risky?

My dentist wants to replace a veneer because I have sensitivity from exposed dentin. I am concerned about damage to adjacent veneers and that my dentist will not be able to match the veneer. Another dentist placed the veneers six years ago when I lived in Chicago. Now that I moved to rural Georgia for family reasons, I am concerned about whether to let this dentist replace one veneer or if I should drive two hours to a larger city. My current dentist does a great job helping me maintain my surfaces, but she has not completed any significant work on my teeth. So, I am unsure of her skill level. I would love to leave the veneer, but if the sensitivity gets worse, that is not ideal either. Is it worth it to replace one veneer, or is it too risky? Thank you. Ciara from Georgia

Ciara,

Thank you for your question.

Is Replacing One Porcelain Veneer Risky?

a thin veneer, similar to a LumineerReplacing one porcelain veneers is not risky for a trained cosmetic dentist. It is worth replacing one veneer when your tooth’s health is at risk. When the dentin (the layer beneath the enamel) is exposed, irritation and sensitivity will increase with time. Dentin tubules connect to the tooth pulp and cause sensitivity. If bacteria contaminate the pulp, you can get a tooth infection that requires root canal treatment.

Will Replacing One Veneer Damage the Adjacent Ones?

A skilled cosmetic dentist will not damage adjacent veneers when replacing one. They carefully use tools designed to treat individual teeth without harming others.

Will One New Porcelain Veneer Match the Others?

Trained cosmetic dentists are adept at matching veneers with your natural teeth or other veneers. They understand how to manipulate color to achieve a match. Also, cosmetic dentists collaborate with dental ceramists and laboratories that keep patients’ color formulas for future work.

Look for a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training to replace your veneer, even if you must travel to get quality work. Your new cosmetic dentist can contact your dentist in Chicago to request your dental records and get information on the color formulas for your veneers and the lab that made them.

 

Rocky Hill, Connecticut cosmetic dentist Dr. Thaddeus Michalski, sponsors this post.