Dental veneers are one of the easiest and most painless ways to enhance your smile. Available in porcelain or composite materials, veneers are used to improve the look of your teeth using thin, custom-fitted shells that are bonded to your natural teeth to permanently address stained, broken, chipped, or misshapen teeth.
Dr. Kevin Sands is an expert when it comes to dental veneers. His years of experience, skill, and individualized attention have made him one of the premier cosmetic dentists in Beverly Hills. Porcelain veneers are one of the most popular procedures for patients wanting to restore their smile — but what happens if you damage your porcelain veneers?
Why Did My Veneers Fall Off?
There are several reasons your porcelain veneers may sustain damage or fall off, including:
Age of the Veneers
The primary reason your veneer may break or fall off is its age. Porcelain veneers typically last 10 to 15 years, while composite veneers (dental bonding) last up to seven years. Over time, the adhesive that bonds the veneers to your teeth weakens, and eventually, the veneers may break or fall off.
Insufficient Adhesion
Speaking of adhesive, another common reason for a veneer to fall off is that a low-quality sealant was used to attach the veneers to your teeth. Additionally, the adhesive may not have been given sufficient time to bond to your teeth, or not enough adhesive was used.
Tooth Decay
When veneers are placed on your teeth, a bit of the enamel is removed, leaving the tooth unprotected from the bacteria that cause decay. If the tooth under the porcelain veneer begins to decay, the veneer has nothing to bond to and can fall off.
Grinding or Clenching Your Teeth
Many people habitually grind or clench their teeth, a condition known as bruxism. Whether done unconsciously during the day or while you sleep, regular grinding and clenching of your teeth can damage your veneers.
Veneers are durable, but the pressure from regularly grinding or clenching your teeth can cause them to chip or break. Wearing a customized night guard can help protect your veneers from damage while you sleep.
Poor Dental Hygiene and Care
Just like your natural teeth, veneers require care. Poor dental hygiene can result in cavities and tooth decay, which may lead to issues with your veneers.
Eating sticky or hard foods can damage the porcelain or composite of the veneers, breaking them or pulling them off your teeth.
Don’t use your teeth to tear open packages or bite through strings, as this can also cause damage to your veneers.
What Do I Do if My Porcelain Veneers Are Damaged?
Often, you only learn that your porcelain veneer is damaged once you see a chip or crack, or the veneer falls off of your tooth. Call your dentist immediately if you notice any damage.
Porcelain veneers cannot be repaired, so if the veneer is broken or chipped, you will need an entirely new one. If the veneer fell off and is still in one piece, hold onto it. Your dentist can examine it for other damage, and if it is still in good shape, reattach it to your tooth.
When you see your dentist after discovering problems with your veneers, they will examine the damaged veneer along with any veneers on the surrounding teeth to determine if any others are damaged or need replacing. They will then remove the damaged veneer (or veneers), clean the tooth (teeth), and take a new impression to create a new, custom-fitted porcelain veneer.
The new veneer will be carefully color-matched to your existing teeth to ensure that they appear natural. Once the impression is made and any adjustments are noted, your dentist will place a temporary veneer over your tooth until the new permanent one is created.
Find Out More About Porcelain Veneers in Beverly Hills
If you are looking for a way to permanently enhance your smile, porcelain veneers may be the answer. Dr. Sands offers a variety of cosmetic dental solutions to boost your confidence and give you the gorgeous teeth you’ve always wanted.
Whether you need dental bonding to restore the integrity of broken or discolored teeth, or you want to straighten your teeth with Invisalign®, Dr. Sands will work with you to create a customized treatment to achieve your goals.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 310-273-3111 or fill out our online contact form.