How long do veneers last, and are they permanent?
Two different questions with two different answers: the veneers won't last for ever, but the change to your teeth is permanent.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, dentist (prosthetics and implant surgery) · Updated October 2026Veneers can last many years if they're looked after, but they can chip, crack or come loose, and may need repairing or replacing one day. The decision is permanent, though: porcelain veneers need some enamel removed, so the tooth will always need a covering. Porcelain usually outlasts composite. Our guarantee is 3 years on laminate veneers and 5 years on crowns.
How long veneers last
The Oral Health Foundation says veneers can last many years if they're looked after properly, but that they can chip, crack or come loose. Small chips may be repaired; sometimes a new veneer is needed. Good daily cleaning and regular check-ups help them last longer.
We don't quote a fixed number of years, because it depends so much on your bite, habits and care. Your dentist can give you an idea for your own teeth.
Porcelain, composite and crowns compared
| What tends to wear them | Repairs | Our guarantee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-max laminate veneers | Chips and cracks from grinding or biting hard things | Small chips sometimes; otherwise replaced | 3 years |
| Composite veneers | Staining, wear and chipped edges, sooner than porcelain (our experience) | Usually easy to polish or repair | Ask us |
| Crowns (E-max, zirconia) | Gum problems and decay at the edges; cracks | Usually replaced | 5 years |
"Permanent" means two things
- The veneers aren't permanent: plan for repairs or replacement at some point in your life, and budget for it.
- The change to your teeth is: porcelain veneers need a thin layer of enamel removed, and crowns much more. You can't go back to unprepared teeth. Composite bonding is the exception, as it often needs little or no drilling.
How to make them last longer
- Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily
- Don't bite ice, pens, nails or bottle tops
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth: the NHS says guards protect teeth from damage
- See a dentist and hygienist regularly
More in looking after veneers.
Common questions
Are veneers permanent?
The treatment is: once enamel is removed for porcelain veneers, the tooth will always need a veneer or crown. The veneers themselves are not for ever and may need replacing during your lifetime.
What makes veneers fail early?
Grinding or clenching, biting hard things like ice or pens, gum disease and decay at the edges, and a poor fit or bite. Most of these can be prevented.
Can a chipped veneer be repaired?
Small chips can often be repaired, the Oral Health Foundation says. Sometimes a new veneer is needed. Composite is usually easier to repair than porcelain.
What does the guarantee cover?
Our written guarantee is 3 years on laminate veneers and 5 years on crowns. Read the full terms, including what you need to do, such as regular check-ups.
Sources
- Oral Health Foundation — Veneers (how long veneers last; chips, cracks, coming loose)
- Oral Health Foundation — Dental crowns (how long a crown lasts; care)
- NHS — Teeth grinding (mouth guards protect teeth from damage)
- Precious Dental — Guarantee terms
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
Not sure what your teeth need?
Send us a few photos of your smile. A dentist looks at them and tells you plainly whether you need veneers, crowns, whitening, bonding, or nothing at all.