It's hard to say how long cosmetic dental work will last. How long is a piece of string? When it comes to veneers for your teeth, it generally boils down to your budget—if you're willing to pay for porcelain restorations or you believe that acrylic materials will get the job done. 

Variables

There are multiple variables that determine the lifespan of dental veneers, as well as other forms of cosmetic dental work (bonding, dental crowns, dental veneers, etc.). A lot depends upon the material used to build the restoration attached to your teeth (whether it's dental porcelain or an acrylic resin composite), and your own habits (how diligently you clean your teeth, your diet, if you're a smoker, if you grind your teeth). Perhaps the primary reason you might be considering acrylic veneers is the cost.

Lower Cost

Yes, the upfront cost of acrylic veneers can be lower, but the performance of the restoration is quite different from its porcelain version. With both porcelain and acrylic veneers, your dentist must remove a thin layer of surface enamel from the teeth that will be fitted with veneers. The veneers become the new outward-facing surface of the tooth, giving them a pristine appearance—in your desired shade of white, with perfect symmetry to each other. 

Slightly Thicker

A drawback to acrylic veneers is that they must be slightly thicker than their porcelain counterparts. This is because the acrylic surface isn't as strong as porcelain, and must have a thicker build. There's a risk that your finished restorations will look slightly larger than you expect. It won't be conspicuous, and it's not like you'll have an overbite, but acrylic veneers may lack the discretion you were hoping for.

Aging

The long-term performance of acrylic veneers can create a disadvantage too. They simply age at an accelerated rate. Both acrylic and porcelain veneers are robust and shouldn't easily chip or break, but acrylic restorations tend to show their age. This is via nothing more than general use, and the wear and tear it causes. The acrylic surfaces will look run down, and somewhat discoloured, as acrylic is more porous than porcelain. However, it can be possible for a dentist to freshen up acrylic veneers without removing them, as they can add additional amounts of acrylic resin directly to the restoration as needed. Porcelain veneers can't be easily repaired in place, and any damage necessitates full replacement.

The ultimate choice is yours, but considering the importance of dental restorations in your daily life, you may want to think again if you're planning to get acrylic veneers. 

Contact a local cosmetic dental office to learn more.