What will my veneers look like in 10 years?

What stays stable: the colour and glaze of E.max veneers and porcelain usually do not change, so they do not yellow with tea and coffee the way natural teeth do. Veneers with minimal preparation, bonded to enamel, generally have good retention. Composite needs polishing or renewal more often over the same period.

What changes: gums can recede with age or hard brushing, revealing a veneer edge or part of the tooth. Uncovered natural teeth can darken and show a colour difference. Decay at the margins can develop if cleaning slips, and unprotected grinding can chip a veneer. That is why a natural, not over-white, design matters from the start: a smile in harmony with the face ages well.

Keeping it looking good: brush twice a day with a soft brush, clean between teeth, have check-ups and cleanings about every six months, wear a night guard if you grind, and do not bite hard objects. If a veneer needs replacing years later, conservative preparation at the start leaves more options. Old veneers can often be removed with the Waterlase laser, as explained under replacing old veneers.

What to ask before you start: the material and why, the level of preparation, the follow-up plan, and a mock-up before any drilling. See real cases in the before and after gallery and the Creative Arts smile gallery in Dubai, and read our veneers aftercare guide to see what makes the difference after ten years.

• Ceramic colour: essentially stable for years
• Gums and natural teeth change with age
• Six-monthly check-ups; night guard if you grind
• Over-white smiles age badly
• Conservative prep keeps future options open