Are Veneers Safe Long Term?

Whites Dental Waterloo

Example Icon 0208 616 0590

Example Icon 172 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8ER

Whites Dental Marble Arch (W2)

Example Icon 0203 576 2325

Example Icon 52B Kendal St, St George's Fields, London W2 2BP


Veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dentistry treatments in London. They transform smiles, correct discolouration, close gaps, and repair minor tooth damage. But patients often ask: “Are veneers safe long term?”

Dental veneers are a semi-permanent solution that involves altering the natural tooth surface. When done correctly, they are safe, functional, and highly durable. Modern materials and techniques, such as porcelain, Emax, and Lumineers, allow veneers to last 10–20 years or more, providing a long-term solution for dental aesthetics.

At Whites Dental London, we provide expert veneer treatments in two central London locations, focusing on minimally invasive procedures that preserve natural enamel while achieving a beautiful smile.

Ask A Question

Key Takeaway

  • Veneers are highly durable and safe when placed by an experienced cosmetic dentist.
  • Materials like porcelain, Emax and Lumineers offer strength and resistance to staining.
  • Preserving natural enamel and maintaining excellent oral hygiene are essential for long-term safety.
  • Veneers typically last 10–20 years, some lasting over 25 with proper care.
  • Bite, alignment, and veneer material choice influence outcomes.
  • Choosing an experienced veneers specialist dentist ensures safe, functional and aesthetic results.
  • Avoiding hard foods, grinding, and acidic diets prolongs veneer lifespan.
  • Daily maintenance, including brushing, flossing and fluoride use, is crucial.

How Veneers Work And Why They Are Safe

Veneers are thin, custom-made medical grade shells bonded / glued to the front surface of the patient’s teeth. They can correct:

  • Discolouration
  • Minor chips or cracks
  • Uneven teeth
  • Small gaps.

Veneers are designed to enhance aesthetics while maintaining function. The long-term safety of veneers relies on:

  1. Strong Materials – Modern veneers use porcelain or Emax, which are durable and resistant to fracture.
  2. Minimal Tooth Prep – Preserving enamel reduces sensitivity and maintains tooth strength.
  3. Precision Bonding – Proper adhesion prevents detachment and protects against decay
  4. Regular Monitoring – Routine dental visits detect minor issues early, preventing complications.

💡 When all factors are managed correctly, veneers can be considered extremely safe for long-term use.

Materials And Their Impact On Long-Term Safety

Porcelain Veneers

  • Made from high-quality ceramic; highly resistant to staining and wear.
  • Natural translucency ensures a lifelike appearance.
  • Requires 0.3–0.7mm enamel removal for bonding.
  • Lifespan: 10–20 years.
  • Advantages: Long-lasting, resistant to staining, excellent aesthetics.
  • Considerations: Slight tooth preparation needed; temporary sensitivity may occur.

Emax Veneers

  • Made from lithium disilicate, one of the strongest dental ceramics.
  • Ultra-thin design allows minimal prep, preserving enamel.
  • Lifespan: 15–20+ years.
  • Highly resistant to fractures and staining.
  • Suitable for patients seeking long-term durability with minimal intervention.

Lumineers / No-Prep Veneers

  • Extremely thin: 0.2–0.3mm.
  • Often reversible, preserving natural tooth structure.
  • Lifespan: 10–15 years.
  • Ideal for patients who want cosmetic improvements without altering their teeth.

Composite Veneers

  • Resin-based and applied directly to teeth.
  • Lifespan: 5–10 years.
  • Less durable but easily repairable
  • Cost-effective and minimally invasive.

Factors Affecting Long-Term Safety

Veneers - Whites Dental London

Tooth Health

Healthy teeth are the foundation for safe veneers. Issues like cavities or cracks can compromise adhesion. A dentist will assess your teeth to ensure they are strong enough to support veneers.

Bite And Jaw Alignment

An uneven bite can place stress on veneers, leading to fractures or detachment. Bite adjustments or orthodontic treatment may be recommended to prevent long-term damage.

Oral Hygiene

Daily brushing, flossing, and fluoride use protect both veneers and natural enamel. Without proper hygiene, gum disease or decay can threaten veneer longevity.

Habits

Avoid biting nails, chewing ice, or opening bottles with your teeth. Patients who grind or clench may need a night guard to protect veneers.

Material Choice

Selecting the right material balances durability, aesthetics, and enamel preservation. Porcelain and Emax are more resilient than composite veneers.

Step-By-Step Procedure For Safe Veneers

Step 1: Consultation And Assessment

  • Comprehensive oral health evaluation.
  • X-rays/scans assess enamel thickness, tooth structure, and gum health.
  • Discussion of aesthetic goals and veneer options.

Step 2: Smile Design

  • Digital mock-ups allow patients to preview the result.
  • Determines the best veneer material and thickness.

Step 3: Tooth Preparation

  • Minimal enamel removal ensures strong bonding.
  • No-prep veneers may skip this step.

Step 4: Impression / Scan

  • Accurate impressions or digital scans allow precise fabrication.

Step 5: Temporary Veneers (if required)

  • Protect teeth while permanent veneers are made.
  • Allows patients to adjust to the appearance and bite.

Step 6: Bonding Permanent Veneers

  • Dental cement and curing light ensure secure adhesion.
  • Final bite and appearance checked.
  • Ensures veneers are stable and long-lasting.

How To Maintain Veneers Long-Term

Dentist - Whites Dental London
  1. Brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste
  2. Floss carefully around veneer margins
  3. Avoid chewing ice or hard foods.
  4. Limit acidic and sugary foods
  5. Use a night guard if you grind teeth .
  6. Attend routine check-ups every 6 months.
  7. Rinse with water after meals.
  8. Avoid staining agents like coffee, red wine, and tobacco.

Maintaining your veneers long-term is essential to ensure they remain durable, stain-free, and functional. Veneers are strong, but they do require proper care to maximise their lifespan and protect the underlying natural teeth. Daily oral hygiene is the cornerstone of veneer maintenance. Brush twice daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste, and floss carefully around the margins to prevent plaque build-up, which could lead to gum disease or decay around the veneers.

Avoid habits that put unnecessary stress on veneers. Chewing hard foods like ice, nuts or hard candy can chip or crack veneers, and using your teeth as tools to open packaging can also damage them. If you grind or clench your teeth at night, a custom-made night guard can protect your veneers from excessive wear.

Diet also plays a role in long-term veneer care. Limiting acidic or sugary foods and drinks reduces enamel erosion around the veneers. While porcelain and Emax veneers are resistant to staining, coffee, tea, red wine, and tobacco can still affect the surrounding teeth, so rinse your mouth or brush after consumption.

Finally, regular dental check-ups every six months are crucial. Your dentist can monitor veneer integrity, adjust your bite if needed, and professionally clean your teeth to ensure both veneers and natural enamel remain healthy and long-lasting.

Patient Experiences In London

Case 1: Porcelain Veneers For Discolouration

  • Patient had long-term staining.
  • Minimal enamel removal (0.5mm) performed
  • Veneers bonded; patient reported no sensitivity and high satisfaction.

Case 2: Emax Veneers For Chipped Teeth

  • Patient with fractured front teeth.
  • Ultra-thin Emax veneers applied (0.3mm prep).
  • Durable and strong, with natural aesthetics.

Case 3: Lumineers For Minor Gaps

  • Patient wanted non-invasive cosmetic correction.
  • No enamel shaving required; procedure reversible.
  • Patient achieved a bright, confident smile without discomfort.

Potential Risks And How To Minimise Them

Common Risks

  • Temporary sensitivity post-prep
  • Veneer chipping or fracture.
  • Detachment due to poor bonding
  • Gum irritation

Risk Management

  • Choose experienced cosmetic dentist.
  • Follow strict oral hygiene
  • Avoid grinding or hard foods.
  • Regular check-ups to detect minor issues early.

Longevity And Durability Of Veneers

  • Porcelain: 10–20 years
  • Emax: 15–20+ years
  • Lumineers: 10–15 years
  • Composite: 5–10 years

The longevity and durability of veneers depend on several factors, including the material used, oral hygiene, bite alignment, and lifestyle habits. Modern veneers are designed to be long-lasting, with most porcelain and Emax veneers lasting 10–20 years when cared for properly. Lumineers and other no-prep veneers typically last around 10–15 years, while composite veneers are less durable, averaging 5–10 years.

Porcelain veneers are highly resistant to staining, chipping, and wear, making them an excellent choice for long-term cosmetic enhancement. Emax veneers, made from lithium disilicate, offer exceptional strength and aesthetics, often outlasting standard porcelain veneers with proper care. Composite veneers, while cost-effective and easily repairable, are more prone to discoloration and minor fractures over time.

The durability of veneers is also influenced by how well patients maintain them. Brushing, flossing, avoiding hard foods, and using a night guard if you grind your teeth can significantly extend their lifespan. Regular dental check-ups allow your dentist to monitor veneer integrity and address minor issues before they become major problems.

Ultimately, veneers are a safe, long-lasting investment in your smile, provided the right material is chosen and proper oral care is maintained. With careful maintenance, patients can enjoy beautiful, durable veneers for over a decade or more.

💡 Good maintenance can extend lifespan significantly.

Why Choose Whites Dental In London

At Whites Dental, we prioritise:

  • Expert cosmetic dentists
  • High-quality porcelain, Emax and composite veneers
  • Custom smile design
  • Two London locations for convenience.

Book a free no obligation consultation for dental veneers with one of our cosmetic dentists in London.

Waterloo: 172 Blackfriars Rd, London SE1 8ER | 020 8616 0590
Marble Arch: 52B Kendal St, St George’s Fields, London W2 2BP | 020 3576 2325

FAQs About Veneer Safety

1. Are veneers safe for teens?
Recommended for adults with fully developed teeth.

2. Can veneers increase cavity risk?
No, if oral hygiene is maintained.

3. Do veneers stain over time?
Porcelain and Emax resist staining; composites may discolor.

4. Are veneers reversible?
Traditional veneers are permanent; Lumineers may be reversible.

5. Will veneers damage natural teeth?
When done correctly, veneers do not harm teeth.

6. How long before veneers need replacement?
Typically 10–20 years depending on material and care.

7. Can veneers protect weak teeth?
Yes, veneers strengthen superficial enamel and restore aesthetics.

8. Do veneers require special toothpaste?
Regular fluoride toothpaste is recommended; avoid abrasive brands.

9. Can gum disease affect veneers?
Yes, healthy gums are essential for long-term veneer success.

10. Is enamel removal harmful?
Minimal prep preserves enamel while allowing proper bonding.

Ask A Question

Conclusion

Veneers are safe for long-term use when placed by an experienced cosmetic dentist. Choosing the right material, preserving enamel, adjusting bite and maintaining oral hygiene ensures durable, aesthetic and functional results. With proper care, veneers can transform your smile safely for 10–20 years or more.

Related Articles

Whites Dental
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

Whites Dental (“we”, “us” or “our”) are committed to protecting and respecting your privacy.

The practice respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy sets out how we will do this, taking into account data protection laws as well as our professional guidelines and requirements.

The data controller is Whites Dental; the Information Governance Lead is Deepa Chopra.

This Privacy Policy is available on the practice website at www.whitesdental.co.uk/privacy-policy, by email if you contact [email protected] or by calling the practice on 0204 527 3210.

This policy (together with our Cookies Policy) sets out the basis on which any personal data we collect, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us. It does not include data where the identity has been removed (i.e. anonymous data).

Please read the following carefully to understand our views and practices regarding your personal data and how we will treat it.

You will be asked to provide personal information when joining the practice. The purpose of us processing this data is to provide optimum health care to you by, for example, recommending the most relevant treatment and ensuring your safety by taking your medical history.

The categories of data we process

  • Contact data (such as name, address, email address, telephone number) for the purposes of corresponding with you, for example, regarding your appointments and treatment.
  • Contact data (such as name, address, email address, telephone number) for the purposes of direct mail/email/text/marketing.
  • Special category data concerning health (including health records, medical history, medication, your doctor’s name and address, warning cards or bracelets, alcohol and drug use) for the purposes of the delivery of safe health care.
  • Treatment data (such as photos, moulds, X-rays, clinical findings) for the purposes of providing you with the best treatment.
  • Financial data (such as credit card details, bank account information, credit history, employment status) for the purposes of processing your payment for treatment(s).
  • Usage data (such as information about how you use our website, products and services) for the purposes of improving the way we provide our treatment and services.

The ways we collect information about you

We may collect and process the following data about you in operating the website and performing any of our services and treatment(s):

Direct
  • Information you give us (including information you give to our Clinical Lead, Specialists, Dentists, Hygienists and Orthodontic Therapists who are contracted to work for us). You may give us information about you by filling in forms on our website www.whitesdental.co.uk or by corresponding with us by phone, email, in person or otherwise.
  • Personal data is obtained when a patient joins the practice, when a patient is referred to the practice and when a patient subscribes to an email list.
Automatic
  • Information we automatically collect about you. With regard to each of your visits to our website we may automatically collect the following information:
  • Technical information, including the internet protocol (IP) address used to connect your computer to the internet, your login information, browser type and version, time zone setting, browser plugin types and versions, operating system and platform; and
  • Information about your visit, including the full Uniform Resource Locators (URL) clickstream to, through and from our site (including date and time); products you viewed or searched for; page response times, download errors, length of visits to certain pages, page interaction information (such as scrolling, clicks, and mouseovers), and methods used to browse away from the page and any phone number used to call our customer service number.
From third parties
  • Our Clinical Lead, Specialists, Dentists, Hygienists and Orthodontic Therapists are third parties working for us as contractors, however, they are contractually bound to us with regard to obligations of confidentiality in the same way as our employees and by professional obligations of confidentiality.
  • You may have been referred to us for treatment from Invisalign and we will therefore receive contact data, special category data concerning health, treatment data and/or financial data from them.
  • Information we receive from other sources. We may receive information about you if you use any of the other websites we operate or the other services we provide.
  • We are also working closely with third parties (including, for example, business partners, subcontractors in technical, payment and delivery services, advertising networks, analytics providers, search information providers, credit reference agencies) and may receive information about you from them.
  • We use third-party analytics services (such as Google Analytics) to evaluate your use of the website, compile reports on activity, collect demographic data, analyze performance metrics, and collect and evaluate other information relating to our website and internet usage. These third parties use cookies and other technologies to help analyse and provide us with data.

How we share data with third parties

We may share your Contact data, special category of data relating to health, Financial data, Treatment data and/or Usage data with selected third parties including:

  • Our Clinical Lead, Specialists, Dentists, Hygienists and Orthodontic Therapists.
  • Private health insurance companies (at your request if you are using private health insurance).
  • Credit reference agencies.
  • Equipment providers and laboratories such as Align Tech, Nimrodental, and Ashford Orthodontics.
  • Professional compliance organisations such as BDA.
  • Data storage and transfer platforms such as Microsoft Sharepoint and Dropbox.
  • Our payment platform Natwest.
  • Our practice management and CRM software providers Pearl.
  • Our live chat provider Quriobot.
  • Advertisers and advertising networks that require the data to select and serve relevant adverts to you and others such as Facebook.
  • Analytics and search engine providers that assist us in the improvement and optimisation of our site such as Google.

This is a list of the main third parties with whom we share your personal data. If you would like a full list of third parties who process your data, and their contact details, please contact us using the details set out above.

We never pass your personal details to a third party unless we have a contract for them to process data on our behalf and will otherwise keep it confidential.

If we intend to refer a patient to another practitioner or to secondary care such as a hospital we will gain your consent before the referral is made and the personal data is shared.

The website may include links to third party websites, plugins and applications. Clicking on those links or enabling those connections may allow third parties to collect or share data about you. We do not control these third party websites and are not responsible for their privacy statements. When you leave our website, we encourage you to read the privacy notice of every website you visit.

Data transferred outside the EU

  • Personal data is stored in the EU whether in digital or hard copy format.
  • Personal data is stored in the US in digital format when the data storage company is certified with the EU-US Privacy Shield.

Lawful basis for processing personal data

The lawful bases for processing personal data (including providing your personal data to third parties) are:

  • Consent of the data subject for data relating to treatment, care, our services, processing payment, credit checks, marketing and reviews, improving our services and improving our website (including using data analytics). This will also apply to the storage of personal data for these purposes.
  • Processing is necessary for the performance of a contract with the data subject or to take steps to enter into a contract such as the provision of the services by us.
  • Processing is necessary to comply with a legal obligation such as financial, tax and contractual laws.

For consent relating to children and people who may not have mental capacity to give consent, please contact us using the details above for a copy of our Safeguarding and Mental Capacity policies.

The reason for processing special category data such as patients’ health data is:

  • The processing is necessary for the purposes of preventative or occupational medicine, for assessing the working capacity of the employee, medical diagnosis, the provision of health or social care or treatment or management of health or social care systems and services on the basis of Union or Member State law or a contract with a health professional; and
  • Data is processed by or under the responsibility of a professional subject to the obligation of professional secrecy under Union or Member State law or rules established by national competent bodies or by another person also subject to an obligation of secrecy under Union or Member State law or rules established by national competent bodies.

Purposes for processing personal data

We (and the third parties listed above) process your personal data for the following purposes:

  • To provide you with our services.
  • To discuss relevant treatments.
  • To provide a safe working environment for staff, contractors and patients.
  • To check your employment and financial status for payment plans.
  • To process payments.
  • To keep you informed of our latest offers, other services we provide and general marketing activities.
  • To obtain reviews and feedback on your experience of our services.
  • To store our data.

If you would like more information about how your data is processed please contact us by using the details set out above.

Data retention

The retention period for special category data in patient records is a minimum of 10 years and may be longer for complex records in order to meet our legal requirements. The retention periods for other personal data is two years after it was last processed.

You will receive marketing emails until you unsubscribe, either by contacting us or by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email. For details of other retention periods please contact us using the details set out above.

Your personal data rights

You have the following personal data rights:

  • The right to be informed.
  • The right of access to your personal data, which enables you to receive a copy of the personal data we hold about you and to check that we are lawfully processing it.
  • The right to rectification of your personal data that you consider to be inaccurate. This enables you to have any incomplete or inaccurate data we hold about you corrected.
  • The right to erasure. This enables you to ask us to delete or remove your personal data (however clinical records must be retained for a certain time period).
  • The right to restrict processing. This gives you the option to ask us to suspend the processing of your personal data e.g. if you want us to establish the data’s accuracy or you do not want us to erase it.
  • The right to data portability. If you request us to do so, we will provide to you, or a third party of your choice, your personal data in a commonly used, machine-readable format.
  • The right to object. This enables you to object to the processing of your personal data if you feel it impacts on your fundamental rights and freedoms, however, in some cases, we may have compelling legitimate grounds to process your information which can override your right to object.
  • The right to request confirmation as to whether or not your personal data is being processed.
  • The right to not have a decision made about you based solely on automated processing.

You have the right to withdraw consent at any time. If you request us to do so, we will no longer process your data. However, this will not affect the lawfulness of any processing carried out before you withdraw your consent. If you withdraw your consent, we will not be able to provide you with the services. You have the right to obtain a free copy of your patient records within one month of submitting a request.

If you are not a patient of the practice you have the right to withdraw consent for processing personal data, to have a free copy of it within one month of submitting a request, to correct errors in it or to ask us to delete it. You can also withdraw consent from communication methods such as telephone, email or text.

We have carried out a Privacy Impact Assessment and if you would like a copy please contact us using the details set out above.

If you wish to exercise any of the rights set out above, in the first instance, please contact us using the details set out above.

You will not have to pay a fee to access your personal data (or to exercise any of the other rights). However, we may charge a reasonable fee if your request is clearly unfounded, repetitive or excessive. Alternatively, we may refuse to comply with your request in these circumstances.

We may need to request specific information from you to help us confirm your identity and ensure your right to access your personal data (or to exercise any of your other rights). This is a security measure to ensure that personal data is not disclosed to any person who has no right to receive it. We may also contact you to ask you for further information in relation to your request to speed up our response.

Further details of these rights can be obtained on the Information Commissioner’s website.

Data security

We have put in place appropriate security measures to prevent your personal data from being lost, used or accessed in an unauthorised way, altered or disclosed. In addition, we limit access to your personal data to those employees, agents, contractors and other third parties who have a business need to know. They will only process your personal data on our instructions and they are subject to a duty of confidentiality.

We have put in place procedures to deal with any suspected personal data breach and will notify you and any applicable regulator of a breach where we are legally required to do so.

Unfortunately, the transmission of information via the internet is not completely secure. Although we will do our best to protect your personal data, we cannot guarantee the security of your data transmitted through our website; any transmission is at your own risk. Once we have received your information, we will use strict procedures and security features to try to prevent unauthorised access.

Comments, suggestions and complaints

Please contact the practice for a comment, suggestion or a complaint about your data processing at [email protected], or 0204 527 3210 or by writing to or visiting the practice. We take complaints very seriously.

If you are unhappy with our response or if you need any advice you should contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Their telephone number is 0303 123 1113, you can also find other contact options here. The ICO can investigate your claim and take action against anyone who’s misused personal data. You can also visit their website for information on how to make a data protection complaint.

Marketing by us

We offer individuals real choice and control. Our consent procedures put individuals in charge to build customer trust and engagement.

Our consent for marketing requires a positive opt-in, we don’t use pre-ticked boxes or any other method of default consent. We make it easy for people to withdraw consent, tell you how to and keep contemporaneous evidence of consent. Consent to marketing is never a precondition of a service.

You will receive marketing communications from us if you have requested information from us or if you have signed up via our contact form on the website and, in each case, you have not opted out of receiving that marketing.

Marketing by third parties

We do not share your data with third parties for marketing purposes.

Opting out

Where you opt-out of receiving these marketing messages, this means that you may not receive messages relating to your appointments or treatment so please let us know by using the details set out above if you would like to continue to receive messages about your appointments and treatment.