Is a smile makeover permanent?
A smile makeover is a plan, not a single procedure: it can combine whitening, composite bonding, veneers, zirconia crowns, orthodontics and gum contouring, and each lasts differently. See our smile makeover page for what a plan can include.
“Permanent” can also mean two things, worth separating before you decide on a smile makeover in Türkiye or anywhere else:
- How long will the result last? Whitening fades; bonding, veneers and crowns can last for years, but none of them lasts for ever.
- Can the change be undone? The tooth surface removed to fit veneers or crowns does not grow back. The restoration can be renewed later, but the preparation of the tooth is permanent.
In a 2023 warning, the Dental Board of Australia notes that porcelain veneers may be irreversible and suggests asking whether a procedure is an irreversible change that will need ongoing care, maintenance and possible replacement.
How long does each part of a smile makeover last?
These averages from the sources named vary from person to person and are not a promise for your treatment.
| Treatment | Time given by the source | What can happen over time |
|---|---|---|
| Teeth whitening | Around three years if you follow your dentist’s advice (NHS) | The shade can darken again and whitening may need repeating (Bristol Dental School) |
| Composite bonding | Typically three to ten years before touching up or replacing (Cleveland Clinic) | Stains more easily than porcelain and can chip |
| Porcelain veneers | Ten to fifteen years on average with proper care (Cleveland Clinic) | Can chip, crack, wear down or loosen (ADA) |
| Zirconia crowns | Five to fifteen years on average (Cleveland Clinic) | Can break or come loose; a poorly fitting crown can trap bacteria and lead to decay |
| Gum contouring | Permanent in most cases (Cleveland Clinic) | Gum tissue can rarely grow back |
| Orthodontics or aligners | No set time; the result depends on retention | Teeth tend to return towards their old positions (British Orthodontic Society) |
A restoration does not automatically need replacing at the end of the range, but one that cracks or is damaged may need renewing sooner; Cleveland Clinic says a crown should be replaced when you notice wear, tear or damage. The British Orthodontic Society considers retainers essential after orthodontic treatment and advises long-term retention.
What does research say about veneers, bonding and crowns?
- Porcelain veneers: a 2016 systematic review by Morimoto and colleagues combined 13 studies. Over a median follow-up of nine years, 89% of veneers were still in place; the most common complication, at 4%, was fracture or chipping.
- Composite: a systematic review by Shah and colleagues covered 25 studies of direct composite work on front teeth, including direct composite veneers, followed for two to seventeen years. Survival ranged from 28.6% to 100% between studies, too varied for a combined rate; fracture was the main reason for failure.
- Zirconia crowns: in a 2021 study by Solá-Ruiz and colleagues, 98% of single-piece zirconia crowns on the back teeth of 50 patients were still in place after five years.
These results come from study conditions and are not a promise for any individual.
Which steps of a smile makeover cannot be undone?
- Whitening and orthodontics: teeth are not reduced as they are for veneers or crowns.
- Composite bonding: according to Cleveland Clinic, bonding typically does not require enamel removal, so it can be reversed.
- Veneers: the ADA says treatment is not reversible because enamel is removed. Cleveland Clinic adds that most veneers are permanent, and that even no-prep veneers still require some enamel removal.
- Zirconia crowns: Cleveland Clinic says enamel is removed so the crown fits, and that crowns are durable but not indestructible and will need replacing at some point.
So a tooth prepared for a veneer or crown will need a restoration from then on, and that restoration may need maintenance or replacement over the years. A mock-up, where the planned shape is tried on your teeth in a temporary material, is reversible; our guide to smile makeover planning and mock-ups explains it and why you should not decide under time pressure when travelling for treatment.
What shortens the life of a smile makeover?
- Grinding and clenching: the NHS lists worn-down or broken teeth and lost fillings among its effects; the ADA says veneers may not suit people who clench or grind.
- Biting hard things: Cleveland Clinic advises against biting nails, chewing pens or opening packages with your teeth; ice, very hard nuts and sticky sweets can damage or dislodge a crown.
- Knocks to the mouth: the ADA recommends a mouthguard for sports that could injure your mouth.
- Staining and smoking: according to Cleveland Clinic, coffee, tea, red wine and acidic foods can stain bonding; porcelain resists stains better but can still stain over time.
- Poor oral hygiene: the ADA notes that decay can still develop under or around a veneer.
- The wrong whitening products: Cleveland Clinic warns that they can scratch veneers.
What should you get in writing before you fly home?
Your dentist at home will look after your teeth for years, so before your last appointment, ask for:
- which teeth were treated and what was done to each one
- the type of material used for each veneer or crown
- the shade used, so that a later repair or a new restoration can be matched
- whether a night guard is recommended for you, and if so, when it will be made
- how often you should have check-ups, and what to do if a veneer or crown chips or comes loose
Follow-up from home is described on our aftercare and follow-up page; our guide to choosing a dental clinic in Türkiye lists other useful records.
How do you look after the result once you are home?
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and clean between your teeth daily; the Oral Health Foundation says good daily cleaning and regular check-ups help veneers last longer.
- If a night guard has been recommended, wear it. The NHS says these are made by a dentist to fit your teeth and are worn at night.
- Do not let a small problem wait: the Oral Health Foundation says small chips may be repaired, but sometimes a new veneer is needed.
- Speak to a dentist before whitening again. In the UK, the NHS says strong whitening chemicals should only be used or sold by dental professionals, and that salon, pharmacy or online kits may harm your teeth and gums.
The Dental Board of Australia suggests asking yourself whether you have discussed the treatment with your usual dentist. If a veneer or crown needs more than a minor repair, agree the next steps with the clinic that treated you, as our aftercare page explains.
How is longevity planned at Rönesans?
At our clinic in Serdivan, Sakarya, a smile makeover is planned as part of aesthetic dentistry, starting with an examination of your teeth, gums and expectations. Untreated decay or gum disease is treated first, and grinding may call for extra measures to protect your teeth and restorations.
We use digital smile design: your new smile is planned digitally before treatment, and if you wish, the planned shape is first tried on your teeth in a temporary material. Impressions can be taken with an intraoral scanner, and crowns are made with CAD/CAM at the dental laboratory we work with. Zirconia crowns are provided at our clinic; whether veneers, composite bonding, gum contouring or a particular whitening method suit you is assessed at the examination.
Before treatment starts, you know which dentist will treat you and receive a written treatment and cost plan, tooth by tooth, with unit and total costs; the cost is confirmed after the examination. Follow-up after treatment follows a defined process. You can send photos on WhatsApp at +90 532 363 49 54 for a preliminary assessment or write to us through our contact page; during working hours we reply in English and German within 15 minutes. We plan appointments around your travel dates; see planning your visit.