Knowing how long veneers last is quite difficult to predict and highly variable as this will greatly depend on how the patients take care of their treated teeth as years pass by. On the other hand, a number of studies have concluded that porcelain veneers can be expected to last at least ten years and more likely longer.
The Longevity of Porcelain Veneers Based on Studies
There are studies and literature reviews that report how long porcelain veneers last. Here are some of them.
One study evaluated 304 porcelain veneers in 100 individual patients placed by the same dentist over a 16-year period. The findings reported that the porcelain veneers’ survival rate was 96% during 5 to 6 years. At 10 to 11 years, it became 93% and declined by 5% at 12 to 13 years. At 15 to 16 years, the survival rate dropped to 73 years. Three reasons used to declare failure include failed aesthetics, structural complications and loss of retention.
The second study evaluated 318 porcelain veneers in 84 individual patients that had been attached over a 22-year period. At 5 years, the survival rate of the veneers is 95%, 94% at ten years. At 20 years, the porcelain veneers had an 83% survival rate.
The last example is a paper that examined the findings of 50 published research articles that reviewed the subject regarding the longevity of porcelain veneers. The paper has determined the following failure rates: porcelain veneers have less than 5% failure rates at 5 years, and less than 10% at 10 years.
With these three studies, you can expect that most veneers have a 95% survival rate, which means they should be able to last for at least 10 years. Beyond that, failure rates rise but not tremendously so. Thus, though the survival rate is not 100%, patients can still expect that high-quality porcelain veneers have a high and remarkable survival rate, especially if they are well taken care of through the years.
Tips to Help Your Porcelain Veneers Last Longer
Again, the lifespan of these amazing custom-made shells will be influenced by the way you use and maintain them. If you want your porcelain veneers to last longer, here are some of the suggestions you should keep in mind and apply everyday:
Practice good oral home care
This is a never-ending and the most crucial tip you will always hear from your dentist. According to a study, roughly 6% of veneers have failed due to formation of tooth decay and about 13% are caused by complications with gum disease.
The data means that just like your natural teeth, a veneered tooth must be brushed and flossed everyday. You can ask your dentist for any suggestion, but using non-abrasive toothpaste with fluoride is suitable enough for your teeth.
Avoid strong biting force
Though known to be durable, veneers can’t withstand extreme forces. You must avoid activities that direct forces to your veneered teeth. This includes biting your fingernails, ice, or any other hard objects, as well as biting on hard foods such as raw carrots. If you happen to engage in sporting activities, it’s advisable to wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and mouth from injury.
Don’t clench and grind your teeth
People who have bruxism (teeth grinding) are not good candidates for veneers. One study found failure rates for people who often grind their teeth to be 8x higher. Excessive forces when clenching or grinding the teeth puts the veneer at higher risk.
Reduce staining influences
Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to staining; however, the cement that’s used to bond the shells on the tooth is made of plastic and may discolour. Good oral home care and less exposure to staining agents like tea, wine and tobacco products can help prevent this problem.
Long-lasting Porcelain Veneers in Toorak
The long-term success of porcelain veneers depends on the materials used, the dentist’s experience and skills, and the patient’s commitment to good oral hygiene habits. When these three factors are combined, your porcelain veneers can last many years. At Simply Smiles Dental, we ensure to provide high quality, long-lasting porcelain veneers in Toorak so our patients can enjoy the tremendous benefits of having their most beautiful smile ever.
We are located in the Toorak Village, in the heart of Toorak and serve patients from Toorak, South Yarra, Prahran, Windsor, Southbank, South Melbourne, Port Melbourne, Malvern, Albert Park, Melbourne CBD, and from all Melbourne metro areas.
We are Medibank Members Choice Dentist and HCF Members Choice Dentist.
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