How Long Do Composite Veneers Last For?

Composite veneers are a popular and cost-accessible way to improve your smile. Using a composite resin material that is bonded directly to the surface of the tooth, composite veneers can be applied in a single-session and require minimal preparation.

Just like any cosmetic dental procedure, how you care for your composite veneers plays a significant role in their appearance and how long they last.

How long do composite veneers last for?

Composite veneers typically last for anywhere from 2 years with regular care and dental maintenance. As with any cosmetic dental procedure, there are a number of key variables that will influence how long composite veneers last, including:

• The quality of dental work and composite that is used 

• Your daily dental care and maintenance

• Frequency of visit to the dentist for checkups and cleaning

• The position of the veneers in your mouth – some teeth experience more wear than others and more biting forces

How you care for your veneers in the years that follow will ultimately determine how they look and how long they last.

Do composite veneers need to be replaced?

Yes, composite veneers may  need to be replaced after a few years or more. The quality of dental work and how you care for your composite veneers can extend their lifespan, however, they will ultimately need to be replaced by a cosmetic dentist. If they are looked after well and better protected with an occlusal splint then composite veneers usually will last longer.

What are composite veneers?

Composite veneers are made using a resin and filler mix that is called a composite resin. Composite can be shaped and colour matched to your natural teeth to mask small imperfections such as cracks or chips. Alternatively, composite can also be applied across multiple teeth to create a new shape and shade for the teeth.

Pros and Cons of composite veneers

 Pros

• Lower upfront cost – less than half the cost of porcelain per tooth

• Shorter fitting and application process compared to porcelain – can be completed in a single visit

• Can be fitted to one of multiple teeth as required

• Accessible and effective cosmetic dental enhancement for discoloured or damaged teeth

• Minimal preparation of the tooth is required before fitting

• Can be repaired or replaced by your dentist as required for chips or cracks

• Natural appearance colour matched to your teeth

 Cons

• Shorter life span than porcelain veneers

• Composite can stain – coffee, red wine, other dark foods or beverages

• Composite can gradually lose its sheen over time

• Composite can be prone to chips of cracking 

 Indirect vs. Direct Veneers

There are two main types of veneers – direct and indirect.

Direct veneers are applied to the tooth by your dentist in a single session. The dentist will prepare the surface of the tooth and shape resin direct to the tooth that is then hardened using a special light. Composite veneers use the direct application process and can typically be completed in a single visit to the dentist. 

Indirect veneers – typically made from porcelain, are made in a laboratory using a scan/mould of your existing teeth. Using your scan/mould, the dentist will create custom veneers that are bonded to the surface of the teeth. Indirect veneers typically require at least two sessions to fit and require more prep for the teeth.

 Composite vs. Porcelain Veneers

Composite veneers vs. porcelain veneers – which one should you choose?

Choosing between both really comes down to your budget and your goals. Porcelain veneers are more than double the cost of composite veneers and may require more preparation of tooth/teeth and a longer time frame to complete. Conversely, composite veneers are a cost-effective and immediate solution that can dramatically improve your smile in a single visit to the dentist. 

Porcelain veneers typically last longer, around double the time frame that you would expect from composite veneers. Porcelain is also less prone to staining, chipping, and cracking meaning that they are a low-maintenance solution.

If you’re after a cost-effective, fast solution to fit one or multiple teeth, then composite bonding is a great solution. It requires minimal prep work and can last for 2 years or more depending on how well you care for them, the materials that are used, and the skill of the cosmetic dentist. 

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a long-term solution that requires less maintenance, then porcelain is likely a better option.

Final thoughts

It’s important to reiterate that not all composite veneers are made the same. A guide of 2 or more is just that – a guide. The quality of materials that are used, the skill of the applying dentist, the amount of prep work that is done, and how you care for your composite veneers will have a dramatic effect on how long they last.