How long do veneers actually last? What research shows

The reported ranges — and why they vary

Systematic reviews report 10-year survival for porcelain (feldspathic and lithium disilicate) veneers in ranges commonly cited between 80% and 95%. Composite veneer survival is generally lower. The range is not sloppiness — it reflects real differences in patient selection, preparation depth, adhesive protocol, occlusion, parafunction, and lab quality across the studies.

A single number is not useful in isolation. What matters is what your specific case looks like inside that range.

What predicts long-term success

• Adequate remaining enamel for adhesive bonding.
• Preservation of enamel margins (minimal-prep or additive designs when feasible).
• Predictable occlusion and management of parafunction (nightguard when bruxism is present).
• High-quality lab work with contemporary ceramics.
• Patient hygiene and recall attendance.

What typically fails first

• Marginal discoloration at composite–enamel interfaces on composite veneers.
• Chipping under parafunction, especially in unguarded bruxists.
• Bonding failures on preparations that removed most of the enamel.
• Recurrent caries at the margin in patients with elevated caries risk.