Porcelain veneers hold up well in most mouths. A 2016 meta-analysis in the International Journal of Prosthodontics (Morimoto and colleagues) estimated that about 89% were still in place after a median of nine years, with chipping or fracture the most common problem. How well your own veneers do depends partly on a handful of habits, and one of the most important happens while you sleep.
Night grinding puts veneers under the most strain
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain or composite bonded to the front of the teeth. They cope well with ordinary chewing, but grinding and clenching (bruxism) load them with repeated force for hours at a time, which can lead to chips, cracks or a veneer coming away from the tooth. Many people who grind do not know they do it. Signs include waking with a tight jaw, morning headaches or a partner hearing it.
If you grind, a custom night guard made from a scan of your teeth sits between the upper and lower teeth overnight and takes that load instead. It also protects your natural teeth. Our guide to cleaning a retainer or night guard covers how to look after one.
The tooth under a veneer can still decay
Porcelain does not get cavities, but the natural tooth behind it does, and the edge where veneer meets tooth is where plaque likes to sit. Decay there can undermine the bond and the tooth. So daily care looks much like care for any other teeth:
- Brush twice a day with a soft brush and a fluoride toothpaste, angling the bristles towards the gumline.
- Clean between the teeth every day with floss or interdental brushes.
- Skip gritty charcoal and harsh whitening toothpastes, which can dull the surface polish, especially on composite.
Things that chip veneers
Front teeth are not tools. Opening packets, biting nails, chewing pens or cracking shells puts a sharp, sideways load on the edge of a veneer, which is where chips usually start. Biting straight into very hard food such as ice or hard lollies with your front teeth is a similar risk; cut food up or use your back teeth. If you play contact sport, wear a mouthguard.
Composite veneers also pick up stain more readily than porcelain, so coffee, tea, red wine and smoking will show sooner. Composite generally needs more upkeep than porcelain over the years, such as repolishing or small repairs, which are usually straightforward.
Colour stays put, but your other teeth may not
Veneers do not lighten with whitening gel. If you want brighter teeth overall, whitening is usually done first, and the veneer shade is then matched to the whitened teeth. Over the years your natural teeth may darken a little while the veneers stay the same, so the match can drift. Regular cleans help, and our article on how long whitening lasts explains how to keep natural teeth from falling behind.
What a check-up does for veneers
At a regular visit your dentist or oral health therapist can polish the veneers, clean along the margins and look for early signs of trouble, such as a small chip, a dark line at the edge or a veneer that has started to lift. A small chip can often be smoothed or repaired, and an intact veneer that has come loose can sometimes be re-bonded. Your dentist will also check your bite, because a high spot can concentrate force on a single veneer.
If a veneer chips or comes off
Keep any pieces, avoid biting on that side and call your dentist. Do not try to glue it back on with household or superglue. These are not safe in the mouth and can stop the veneer from fitting or bonding properly again.
Looking after veneers costs far less than replacing them
As a general guide, porcelain veneers in Australia typically cost around $1,500 to $2,500 per tooth. These are typical market ranges, not Lumi fees. A night guard and regular cleans cost a fraction of that, which is why protecting veneers is usually the better investment. For our own pricing, see our current deals page. After an examination, you will usually receive a written treatment plan, often by email.
What patients ask about veneer care
Can veneers be whitened?
No. Whitening gels do not change the colour of porcelain or composite. Whiten your natural teeth before the veneers are made if you want a lighter result.
Do composite and porcelain veneers need different care?
The daily routine is the same. Composite stains and wears more readily, so it tends to need polishing or touch-ups more often. A 2023 review (Lim and colleagues, Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice) found composite veneers had moderately high survival in trials followed for up to about eight years.
Do I need a night guard if I do not grind?
Not necessarily. Your dentist can look for signs of grinding such as wear facets and advise whether one would help.
If you have veneers or are thinking about them, the team at Lumi Dental in Melrose Park can check the fit, your bite and your home care. To compare options, read our articles on composite bonding vs veneers and snap-on smiles and clip-on veneers, or visit our composite bonding and veneers page.
