If you’re considering having veneers fitted, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself pondering, ‘Are veneers permanent or temporary?’ It’s not the sort of question that can be just answered in one word though, as there are several different types of veneers available at British dental surgeries at the moment, which is why we’ve created this blog.
Here, we aim to tell you all about veneers, including their permanence and the different materials available, as well as any veneer alternatives you may prefer. This means that after reading through this page, you should have all the information you need to make the right decision about your dental treatment.
If you’ve already had veneers fitted and something went wrong due to your dentist’s p, there’s a chance you may have encountered dental negligence. If this is the case, our expert team of dento-legal advisors may be able to help you claim a sizable compensation sum.
Please get in touch on 0800 152 2034 to find out more, or start your claim here today.
All About Veneers: Everything You Need to Know
Before we get onto the topic of how permanent veneers are, we must establish exactly what veneers are. Essentially, veneers are custom-made shells that fit over the front surfaces of your teeth, aiming to mimic the look of your natural teeth.
In most cases, veneers are classed as cosmetic dentistry, which means that they’re usually only available through a private dental surgery. However, sometimes veneers can be fitted for health reasons – in these circumstances, you may be able to get your veneers carried out under the NHS.
There are several different veneer styles available at the moment, all of which have different levels of permanency:
- Composite veneers: Composite resin veneers are usually cheaper than porcelain veneers, mostly used to conceal mild cosmetic issues. They’re made from a form of composite resin with a similar colouring to your teeth – incidentally, dental bonding procedures utilise the same type of resin.
- Porcelain veneers: Porcelain veneers are custom-made to fit your mouth and are usually more expensive than their composite counterparts, as the porcelain is more realistic to look at. They’re generally used to address more serious cosmetic flaws on your teeth.
- Removable veneers: Removable veneers are a temporary solution used to cover your teeth to hide imperfections. They can be taken out at any time and can still enhance your smile, but they can also have a negative impact on the way you eat and speak.
- No-prep veneers: No-prep veneers are much less invasive than porcelain or composite veneers, although they’re still custom-made for your smile. Despite the name, no-prep veneers still require some enamel removal, although less will have to be removed than with composite/porcelain veneers.
Veneers are one of the most common cosmetic dentistry treatments in the UK, often used to conceal cracks, stains, chips and other imperfections on your teeth. Removable veneers and no-prep veneers are fairly new when compared to porcelain and composite resin veneers, although composite and porcelain veneers are the most popular veneer types at the moment.
If you’re not sure which type of veneer is right for you, you should speak to your dentist for more information.
Are Veneers Permanent?
Veneers can be a long-lasting solution with proper care and they’re often seen as a permanent option, truly lifelong veneers don’t yet exist. However, if you’re seeking a long-term dental investment, then you may want to consider opting for porcelain veneers, as they tend to have a longer lifespan. Porcelain veneers can last for up to fifteen years if you keep to a strict oral hygiene routine.
However, composite, no-prep and temporary veneers have a much lower veneer lifespan, usually ranging from five to seven years on average. However, if you do not follow the recommended dental veneers maintenance and aftercare advice, or you have a poor oral hygiene routine, your veneers likely won’t last this long.
One thing to point out here is the fact that once you’ve had veneers fitted, you will need to have them fitted for the rest of your life (due to the enamel removal during your veneer procedure). If you’re not sure whether you’ll be able to pay for new veneers when required, you may want to consider other treatment options first.
What Are Temporary Veneers?
Before your final appointment to fit your veneers, you’ll usually be given a set of temporary veneers to wear in the meantime. They’re usually installed to prevent damage occurring to your teeth whilst you wait for your permanent veneers to be created and fitted, and temporary veneers should only be worn for a maximum of ten days.
However, they can help your dentist determine how your permanent veneers will look when installed.
How Do I Take Care of My Veneers?
You should brush your teeth and veneers twice a day with non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste. – flossing should also be carried out at least once a day. There’s no need to use antibacterial mouthwash if you don’t want to, but it can help to prevent tooth decay and keep your breath fresh – just make sure you don’t use mouthwash if you’ve just brushed your teeth, as it can remove the fluoride added to your teeth by your toothpaste.
If you experience teeth grinding at night or regularly play contact sports, we recommend using a mouth guard to prevent further damage to your veneers and provide greater tooth protection. Porcelain veneers are usually stain-resistant, but dark-coloured food and drink can still stain your veneers over time. Teeth whitening products can be dangerous and may scratch your veneers, so if you do develop stains, it can be harder to dispose of them. Because of this factor, we suggest avoiding things like red wine, berries, coffee and tea.
You should also attend regular dental checkups every six months too, so your dentist can assess your veneers and diagnose any oral health issues as they arise.
What Other Options Are Available to Me?
The veneer process cannot be reversed once started, as your dentist has to trim down your enamel as part of your veneer prep, enabling the tooth-coloured shells to be fitted properly. This means that if you want veneers, you’ll need to commit to having them for the rest of your life, which may not be ideal for everyone. If your veneers are removed, your teeth will be weaker and become more prone to damage and decay.
There are several other options you can opt for instead though:
- Dental crowns: A dental crown is a cap that fits over your tooth, providing strength and improving its appearance, shape and alignment.
- Bridges: A dental bridge is a fixed solution to replace missing teeth, often used as an alternative to dentures if only a few teeth need to be replaced.
- Dental bonding: Cosmetic bonding uses a form of tooth-coloured composite resin that sticks to your teeth, utilised to cover up any chips or improve discoloured teeth.
- Dental implants: With dental implants, your dentist will fit a series of metal posts to your jawbone, supporting bridges, crowns and dentures.
- Tooth whitening treatments: Tooth whitening treatments can be used to improve the appearance of your smile without surgery, although there are several risks associated with such treatments.
However, not every option will be suitable for you, so you must speak to your dentist before committing to treatment. Your dentist should also have gained voluntary informed consent from you before your veneer procedure, which should cover any side effects, risks and alternative treatments available. If your dentist did not do this and something went wrong (and an alternative procedure would have had a better outcome), you may be eligible for a dental negligence claim.
Are Veneers Permanent? Our Final Thoughts
As you can see, veneers can be an effective way to enhance your smile, but there are some important considerations to take into account before making a commitment.
So, are veneers permanent?
While veneers are designed to last for many years, they aren’t a truly permanent solution, as you will have to have new veneers fitted every so often. In most cases, your veneers will be installed correctly, but poor placement, subpar materials and dental negligence can lead to bad veneers that may cause discomfort, damage, or aesthetic issues.
If you’ve experienced complications with your veneers due to dental negligence, opening a dental negligence claim can help you move on from your ordeal with confidence. If you suspect dental negligence has occurred during your veneer treatment, you should consult with a legal professional who can guide you through the process of opening a case against your dentist.
Our expert team of dental solicitors should be able to help you – please request a callback or contact our team here to find out more about starting a dental claim.