Are Veneers Recommended for Adult Patients?
Yes, veneers are recommended for adult patients with cosmetic concerns such as discolored, malformed, malaligned, or poorly restored anterior teeth, as they provide excellent aesthetic outcomes with conservative tooth preparation and demonstrate high long-term success rates.
Primary Indications for Veneers
Veneers serve as an effective treatment modality for multiple aesthetic concerns:
- Discoloration that cannot be adequately addressed with whitening procedures 1, 2
- Diastemas (gaps between teeth) requiring closure 1
- Malalignment of anterior teeth where orthodontics is not desired or feasible 1, 3
- Misshapen teeth requiring contour correction 1, 2
- Poorly restored teeth with compromised aesthetics 2
- Broken-down teeth that remain structurally sound enough for veneer placement 2
Clinical Performance and Success Rates
The evidence strongly supports veneer longevity and reliability:
- 93% of veneers remain satisfactory without intervention at 5 years, with a 100% retention rate and perfect maintenance of aesthetics 3
- Only 7% present clinically unacceptable problems such as recurrent caries, porcelain fracture, severe microleakage, or pulpal reactions at 5-year follow-up 3
- Porcelain veneers demonstrate excellent aesthetic results and predictable longevity, making them superior to composite alternatives in durability 4
Material Selection
Porcelain veneers are the preferred material choice over composite veneers:
- Porcelain provides superior aesthetic outcomes and greater durability compared to composite materials 4
- Composite veneers can be considered as a conservative option but have significantly less longevity 4
- The choice between materials should favor porcelain when long-term predictability is prioritized 4
Preparation Design Considerations
Incisal overlap preparation appears to have the most predictable outcome among preparation designs 4:
- Traditional veneer preparation with interproximal finish lines at or just into the contact point is widely accepted 5
- Full veneer preparation extending beyond traditional margins may be necessary for cases with malalignment, diastemas, discoloration, black spaces, or adjacent restorations 5
- The specific preparation design should be selected based on the clinical situation, with incisal overlap providing optimal predictability 4
Functional Benefits Beyond Aesthetics
Veneers can address functional concerns in addition to cosmetic improvements:
- Reestablishment of proper canine guidance during excursive movements 1
- Correction of occlusal deficiencies when appropriately planned 1
- These functional applications are often overlooked but represent important treatment capabilities 1
Critical Success Factors
To achieve optimal outcomes, specific protocols must be followed:
- Sandblasting the ceramic intaglio surface with 50-μm Al₂O₃ particles is required for proper micromechanical retention 6
- Absolute moisture control and complete dryness of the prepared tooth surface is mandatory, as moisture will cause restoration failure 6
- Proper cementation technique with resin-based cements ensures long-term retention 6
- The silanized ceramic surface must remain uncontaminated until cementation 6
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
- Do not select composite veneers when long-term durability is a priority, as porcelain demonstrates superior longevity 4
- Avoid inadequate moisture control during cementation, which is the primary cause of early veneer failure 6
- Do not overlook functional occlusal considerations, as veneers can simultaneously address both aesthetic and occlusal needs 1
- Marginal defects occur in 86% of cases at 5 years, but their clinical impact is typically negligible and should not deter treatment 3
Patient Satisfaction
Veneers provide high levels of patient satisfaction: