Are Veneers Permanent? Longevity, Maintenance & What to Expect

At her San Francisco practice, ME Dental SF, Dr. Moran helps patients transform their smiles with beautiful, custom porcelain veneers — but she also believes in full transparency.

If you’re considering veneers, it’s important to understand what “permanent” really means, how long they can last, and what it takes to maintain them for the long run.

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What Are Veneers?

Veneers are ultra-thin, tooth-colored shells made from porcelain or composite resin. They are custom-designed and custom-fit to bond to the front of your teeth — enhancing both the appearance and function of your smile.

Veneers are used to improve:

• Stains or deep discoloration
• Chipped or cracked enamel
• Gaps between teeth
• Worn-down or uneven edges
• Misalignment or asymmetry
• Teeth that are too small, too long, or irregular in shape
• Broken-down teeth that need aesthetic and structural support
• Issues with your bite or alignment that affect comfort and chewing

When done properly, veneers don’t just create a natural and beautiful smile — they also help your teeth function properly, which is key to maintaining the long-term health of both your teeth and your veneers.

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Are Veneers Permanent?

Yes — and no.

Here’s the breakdown:

The procedure is permanent
To place veneers, a thin layer of enamel is removed from your natural teeth. This allows the veneer to fit naturally and look seamless — but once that enamel is removed, it doesn’t grow back. So while you can change or replace veneers, you can’t go back to your original teeth.

The veneers themselves are long-lasting — but not forever
Porcelain veneers are designed to last 10 to 15 years or more, but they don’t come with a set expiration date. Some patients may need to replace a few or more veneers over time due to:

• Normal wear
• Gum recession
• Chipping or accidental damage
• Changes in the bite or surrounding teeth

Others choose to replace their entire set after several years for a refreshed or updated look — especially if their smile goals evolve.

That said, veneers don’t necessarily need to be replaced after 10 years. With excellent home care and routine dental visits, many can last much longer.

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How Long Do Veneers Really Last?

With good home care and proper treatment planning, porcelain veneers can last well over a decade — and often much longer. Their longevity depends on several important factors:

• Your dental habits: Avoid biting hard objects (like pens or ice), using your teeth as tools, or grinding your teeth without a night guard.
• Your oral hygiene: Brush twice a day, floss daily, and use a non-abrasive toothpaste to protect the porcelain.
• Routine dental visits: Visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings and annual X-rays to monitor the health of your veneers, gums, and natural teeth. Preventive care is key to long-term success.
• Your bite: Veneers must be planned in harmony with your bite. If veneers are placed without addressing the underlying bite issue, they can chip or wear down prematurely — just like the original teeth.

For example:

• A patient with a crossbite who only veneers the front teeth without correcting the bite (like opening the bite or including more teeth) may experience uneven pressure that leads to early chipping.
• A patient with a deep overbite may continue to hit the veneers when biting or chewing, causing them to chip or fracture over time.
• If veneers are placed on teeth that were previously chipped or worn down, but the reason for the wear wasn’t addressed (like grinding, a narrow bite, or uneven force distribution), the veneers may fail the same way the natural teeth did.

At ME Dental SF, Dr. Olivia Moran takes a comprehensive, functional approach to cosmetic dentistry — evaluating your bite, jaw position, and long-term risks before finalizing your treatment plan. This ensures that your veneers are not only beautiful, but built to last.

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Can Veneers Be Replaced?

Absolutely.
When it’s time to replace them, Dr. Moran carefully removes the old veneers, re-prepares the tooth if needed, and bonds new custom veneers into place — often enhancing the smile even more than before.

Many of our San Francisco patients choose to replace their veneers every 10–15 years to refresh the shape, color, and overall look.

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Are Porcelain and Composite Veneers Both “Permanent”?

Yes — both require enamel removal, which makes the procedure irreversible. But they differ significantly in quality and lifespan:

• ✅ Porcelain veneers: Longer-lasting (10–15+ years), highly aesthetic, and stain-resistant
• ❌ Composite veneers: Lower cost, but typically last 5–7 years and stain more easily

Dr. Olivia Moran focuses exclusively on porcelain veneers at ME Dental SF to ensure her patients receive the most natural and durable results.

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Are Veneers the Right Choice for Your Smile?

Veneers are an excellent option for many people looking to transform their smile. You may be a great candidate if you:

• Have healthy teeth and gums
• Want to improve the shape, color, or symmetry of your smile
• Are ready for a long-term cosmetic solution
• Prefer a low-maintenance treatment with high-impact results
• Have chipped, worn down, or uneven front teeth
• Have discoloration that doesn’t respond to whitening
• Have small or misshapen teeth that don’t match your overall smile
• Have spacing or alignment issues you’d like to correct without braces
• Want to rebuild a smile that’s broken down due to grinding, wear, or past dental work
• Are looking for a more proportional, fuller, or youthful-looking smile

At ME Dental SF, Dr. Olivia Moran takes the time to understand your goals and designs a personalized plan based on your bite, face, and lifestyle. Whether you need just a few veneers or a full smile transformation, the results can be truly life-changing.

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Let’s Talk About Your Smile Goals

At ME Dental SF, Dr. Olivia Moran will walk you through the entire process — from your initial consultation to long-term care. With advanced training in aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry, she focuses on creating custom veneers that complement your facial features, function naturally, and truly last.

📅 Book your consultation today to learn if veneers are right for you.
📍 Conveniently located in the heart of San Francisco (address).
📞 Call (415) 404-6644 or
🌐 Visit medentalsf.com to schedule online.

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