How long do porcelain veneers last?
Porcelain veneers have been placed for more than 30 years. While the first generations had to be bonded to enamel, which provided a retentive pattern once conditioned, the event of dentin-bonding agents significantly widened the spectrum of applications for porcelain laminates. It is the quality of the bonding that determines the quality and longevity of these cosmetic-dentistry restorations. In addition, modern ceramics contain filler particles that can be removed selectively to create micromechanical patterns for the bonding.
Many longitudinal studies have evaluated the longevity of porcelain veneers. Below please find a small selection of these studies. The bottom line is that porcelain veneers are safe and have demonstrated to have a survival rate of more than 90% in up to 16 years of research.
Longitudinal studies:
Survival Rates for Porcelain Laminate Veneers: A Systematic Review.
AlJazairy YH. Eur J Dent. 2021 May; 15(2): 360–368.
The Success of Dental Veneers According To Preparation Design and Material Type.
Alothman Y et al. Maced J Med Sci. 2018 Dec 20; 6(12): 2402–2408.
Survival and Complication Rates of Resin Composite Laminate Veneers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Lim TW et al. Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice 2023; 23(4).
Six-year follow-up with Empress veneers.
M Fradeani. Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent, 1998; 18(3): 216-25: 6-year study; one of 83 veneers failed.
An up to 16-year prospective study of 304 porcelain veneers.
Layton D, Walton T. Int J Prosthodont 2007; 20(4): 389-396: 96 percent at five to six years, 93 percent at 10 to 11 years and 91 percent at 12 to 13 years.
Porcelain Veneers in Vital vs. Non-Vital Teeth: A Retrospective Clinical Evaluation.
Zarow M et al. Bioengineering 2023; 10(2): 168.
Survival Rates for Porcelain Laminate Veneers with Special Reference to the Effect of Preparation in Dentin: A Literature Review.
Burke FJT et al. J Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry 2012; 24:257–265.
Porcelain laminate veneers: 6- to 12-year clinical evaluation-a retrospective study.
Fradeani M, Redemagni M, Corrado M. J Periodontics Restorative Dentistry 2005;25(1):9-17: 94.4 percent at 12 years.
Clinical performance of porcelain laminate veneers for up to 20 years.
Beier U, Kapferer I. Int J Prosthodontics 2012 Jan-Feb;25(1):79-85.
Clinical long-term evaluation and failure characteristics of 1,335 all-ceramic restorations.
Beier U, Kapferer I. Int J Prosthodontics 2012 Jan-Feb;25(1):70-8.
Survival of Partial Laminate Veneers and Categorical Covariates Affecting the Survival: A Systematic Review.
Cotert I et al. The Open Dentistry J 2023.
The clinical longevity of porcelain veneers: A 48-month clinical evaluation.
Kihn P. JADA, Vol. 129, June 1998, 747-752: No clinical failure of 53 veneers after 48 months of observation.
Clinical evaluation on porcelain laminate veneers bonded with light-cured composite: results up to 7 years.
D'Arcangelo C, De Angelis F, Clin Oral Investig. 2012 Aug;16(4):1071-9.
Porcelain laminate veneers: 6- to 12-year clinical evaluation-a retrospective study.
Fradeani M, Redemagni M, Corrado M. J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2005;25(1):9-17.
The up to 21-year clinical outcome and survival of feldspathic porcelain veneer: accounting for clustering.
Layton DM, Walton TR. Int J Prosthodont. 2012 Nov-Dec;25(6):604-12.
How much tooth structure needs to be removed for porcelain veneers?
There is no simple answer to this question. The amount of tooth structure to be removed depends on various parameters. Ideally, porcelain veneers should be as thin as possible to minimize loss of tooth structure. Porcelain veneers can be as thin as 0.3 mm when bonded to a tooth. However, cosmetic dentistry is done for various reasons. Some conditions require a deeper preparation of teeth. Misaligned teeth and tetracycline-stained teeth may require thicker layers of porcelain, hence a greater reduction of tooth structure.
You will find a detailed description about the factors that need to be considered when preparing teeth for porcleian veneers at my here.
Can crowded teeth be treated with porcelain veneers?
Yes. Some dental conditions with crowded teeth can be corrected with cosmetic dentistry, particularly with porcelain laminates. Some cosmetic dentists call it “instant orthodontics,” because it leads to an apparent correction of misaligned teeth within a matter of weeks, while true orthodontics may take years. However, it requires careful evaluation of the dental condition to determine whether a patient would be eligible for cosmetic dentistry.
Find examples on my page about misaligned and crowded teeth.
What can cosmetic dentistry do for misaligned teeth?
Cosmetic dentistry offers many treatment modalities that can address misaligned teeth, such as Invisalign, dental bonding, and porcelain veneers.
How do I find a cosmetic dentist?
The internet has evolved to a social platform that gives us ample opportunity to find out everything we need to know. Individuals have become transparent and easily knowable. Google ensures authenticity of social profiles. Yelp has become a platform that allows consumers to place reviews about their personal experiences with service providers.
Go to Message by Dr. Rabanus to learn about how to find the cosmetic dentist who is right for you.
What are the benefits of seeking a dentist who is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)?
An accredited dentist has has successfully completed the comprehensive Accreditation process administered by the AACD. It consists of a written examination, delivering and extensively documenting a broad range of cosmetic treatment solutions for five patients and an oral examination. By successfully completing this process, the accredited cosmetic dentist has demonstrated a the highest level of clinical skill and ability in cosmetic dentistry.
While every dentist may call himself a “Cosmetic Dentist,” only an accredited dentist has demonstrated the knowledge and skills that are associated with the field of cosmetic dentistry.
What are lumineers?
Lumineers are a very specific form of a porcelain laminate. They are advertised to be prep-less veneers. However, veneers are never prep-less. The dental receptacle has to be prepared to a certain degree to prevent overhanging margins or overcontoured teeth.
Find more information on ”What are Lumineers”.
How long does it take to get a set of porcelain veneers?
The time frame for treatment with porcelain laminates varies depending on the particular condition of a set of teeth. Factors that prolong a treatment time of two weeks to complete a simple smile design are necessary surgeries, such as gum lifts, that require a healing time or orthodontic treatment. Significant aspects of treatment duration are the consition of a patient's bite and the health of the temporomandibular joints. Severely worn teeth require particular observation, diagnosis, and treatment planning that will prolong the treatment time significantly.
Can a cosmetic dentist create natural-looking teeth?
The smile design images of patients before and after their cosmetic dentistry clearly show that it is entirely possible to create natural-looking teeth. Enjoy browsing this website.
How much do porcelain veneers cost?
The treatment fee for dental veneers depends on the exisitng condition that needs to be addressed, such as dental grinding, gummy smiles, and the amount of teeth that need to be involved.
What can porcelain veneers do for me?
Every patient has his or her individual concerns that need to be addressed. Cosmetic dentists have a wide spectrum of tools and techniques that can help you get the smile you always wanted.
Will I have temporary veneers after the preparation of my teeth?
Definitely. There cannot be any smile makeover without the drawing board. In the case of cosmetic dentistry, that would be three-dimensional models of the existing teeth, a properly determined bite relationship with the jaws in their home position, and trial wax-ups that are transferred as temporary veneers into the patient's mouth.
My teeth are very dark. Can I still have porcelain veneers?
Dark teeth are one of the most frequent motivations to obtain a smile rejuvenation with dental laminates. Teeth can still look natural despite the need to "lift" the color by a significant degree. This is possible by applying a cutback technique of a more opaque porcelain and the placement of a more translucent ceramic on top of it. In some cases, more tooth structure has to be removed to create natural outcomes.
I have worn teeth because I grind a lot. Can I still have cosmetic dentistry?
Yes. Dental grinding is one of the most challenging conditions for dental restorations. Even the strongest dental materials may experience stress fractures if the parafunctional chewing habit is strong enough. However, the risk can often be minimized by following a meticulous protocol that determines the causes for the masticatory dysfunction, their elimination and/or control, and the establishment of occlusal contact surfaces that distribute the masticatory forces according to the specific functional requirements of a patient.
What is a cosmetic dentist specialized in?
A cosmetic dentist is experienced and well trained in many aspects of dentistry. A truly holistic treatment approach requires a thorough understanding of stomatognathic function and its possible troubleshooting. It also requires a thorough understanding of neuromuscular physiology and individual masticatory habits. The foundation for any comprehensive smile design by a cosmetic dentist is a systematic diagnostic process. Only once the causes for any dental shortcomings have been discovered, can the cosmetic dentist begin to outline treatment options.
The execution of a dental treatment at the level of excellence requires a thorough understanding of all dental materials involves, which includes their physical characteristics as well as their chemical properties.
Should not all dentistry be cosmetic?
Of course. We do not live in the time anymore where it was necessary to use metallic dental materials for longevity and sturdiness of dental restorations. The advance of bonding technology and bondable tooth-colored materials allow dentists to deliver durable and natural-looking dental restorations.
Is a cosmetic dentist in San Francisco different than a cosmetic dentist in other cities?
San Francisco is a city of high-end and highly demanding professionals. Their level of satisfaction has a high bar. Cosmetic dentists in San Francisco have learned how to deliver to the high expectations of their patients and have a lot of experience when it comes to delivering at this level.
How does cosmetic dentistry compare in different countries?
We are dealing with differing cultural phenomena in different countries. In countries with strong public health systems, patients often expect free dentistry. This in turn empowers the insurance companies to call the shots. It is usually in their interest to advocate the cheapest treatment modalities possible. For this reason, the high standard of cosmetic dentistry as it is found in the United States and cities like San Francisco is not attainable in other countries.