What to Do If Your Veneer Falls Off

When it comes to cosmetic dentistry, few treatment options are as comprehensive and impressive as veneers! These amazing little shells can fully transform teeth in terms of size, shape, and even color, and the results are simply spectacular! But unfortunately, sometimes things can happen that cause veneers to fall off, which will in turn negatively impact the smile you’ve worked so hard on. Here’s more from your dentist about what can cause veneers to fall off, along with some useful steps for addressing the issue and getting your smile back to looking its best.

What Causes Veneers to Fall Off?

Under ideal circumstances, veneers are capable of lasting for upwards of 10 years or so—but sadly, sometimes early failure can occur, and one might fall off. Here are a few common explanations for this:

• Old age – If you’ve had your veneers for some time, the daily wear and tear from biting and chewing might’ve taken its toll and caused a veneer to loosen.
• Inadequate bonding – Sometimes veneers can fall off soon after being placed, which is usually attributed to being improperly bonded. Fortunately, this is an easy fix.
• Negligence – Poor oral hygiene can also lead to your veneers and natural teeth sustaining damage. If the underlying tooth is decayed, it won’t be able to fully support a veneer.
• Trauma – Sometimes getting popped in the mouth is all it takes to dislodge or break a veneer.

Steps For Addressing a Veneer That’s Fallen Off

It’s pretty important to know why a veneer has fallen off; even though it’s not always possible to know exactly what caused it, having a general idea can help to inform your dentist about how to approach the problem. That said, you shouldn’t try to replace or reattach a veneer that’s fallen off. Your dentist is the best person to address the issue, given that they’re the person who placed it in the first place! Here are some steps you can follow if you’ve experienced a lost veneer:

1. Collect the pieces of the veneer and store them in a hard, clean container. If it’s mostly in one piece, your dentist may be able to simply reattach it rather than replace it entirely.
2. Call your dentist! This is very important since teeth that have been treated with veneers always need to be covered, for their own protection.
3. Be very careful when eating and drinking. If necessary, you can use a temporary solution like dental wax to cover the surface of the exposed tooth to give it further protection.
4. When you arrive at your appointment, your dentist will determine the root of the problem before deciding the best course of action.

It’s also worth mentioning that if there are any underlying issues, such as decay or cavities, they’ll need to be cleared up before the veneer can be replaced. Chipped or cracked veneers can sometimes be repaired with a composite resin, but it’s often best to replace the veneer.

About the Practice

The team at Studio City Dental Arts is proud to provide an exceptional level of care for patients in the Studio City, CA area! Under the leadership of Dr. Proshat Shahrestany, they offer a wide range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services such as veneers to help you attain the healthiest and brightest smile imaginable! If you have any questions about the article or if a veneer has fallen off, contact us today! Telephone: (818) 740-3628.