A veneer is a thin, individual dental restoration that is usually fashioned from porcelain or composite resin and covers the front of a tooth.

They can be used to treat cosmetic problems like chipped, broken, discolored, or smaller-than-average teeth. While they are quite durable, they do chip at times. A chipped veneer is when that thin covering on the tooth cracks or breaks.
Some precautions to take after veneer placement
According to the National Institutes of Health, traditional porcelain veneers typically last at least 10 years. Taking certain precautions can help you get the most out of them. These precautions include:
- Don’t chew on hard objects like pens, ice, or your fingernails.
- Never use your teeth to open any packaging.
- Try not to chew with your front teeth. Eat harder foods with your back teeth only; cut up hard foods into smaller portions.
- If you grind or clench your teeth at night, get a nightguard to protect your veneers.
- Wear a mouth guard when playing sports.
- If you grind or clench your teeth, you should get a night guard or retainer.
Chipped Veneer Overview Table
Topic | Details |
---|---|
Types of Veneers | Porcelain vs Composite: durability, lifespan, appearance |
Causes of Veneer Chips | Hard foods, grinding, trauma, bad habits |
Signs of Damage | Visible chips, cracks, sensitivity, discomfort |
Repair Options | Composite bonding, full veneer replacement, dental adhesives, polishing and reshaping |
Repair Methods | Composite resin repair, porcelain replacement |
Preventive Measures | Night guard, avoiding hard foods, careful brushing |
Expected Veneer Lifespan | Porcelain ~10–15 years, composite less |
Repair or Replace Cost | $300-$1500 fix, $1000-$2500 replace |
Signs to watch out for
Be on the lookout for these signs:
- Visible irregularities like a noticeable chip, crack, or rough edge on the surface of the veneer.
- Increased sensitivity to hot, cold, or sweet foods and drinks, or feeling discomfort or pressure on biting, could indicate a chip that exposes the underlying tooth structure.
- Some people experience discomfort or pain when a significant chip is present, especially if it extends to the underlying tooth or nerve.
Preventing Chipped Dental Veneers
Dental veneers can last up to 15 years, depending on the materials chosen, and with proper care taken by the patient.
Preventing chips on your dental veneers
- Gently brush daily with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Vigorous brushing will erode the bonding material or the veneer itself over time. Carefully floss once daily around and between veneered teeth to loosen plaque and food particles to avoid gum disease and dental decay that can compromise the underlying tooth structure.
- Steer clear of whitening toothpastes, which carry harsh abrasives or whiteners that can scratch the veneer surface.
- Take care while eating and avoid biting hard foods like candies, nuts, and popcorn kernels with your veneered teeth.
- If you grind or clench your teeth, you should get a mouth guard or retainer. The night guard is worn over the lower teeth at night, and it helps dissipate forces from clenching or grinding teeth that could otherwise chip or fracture the veneers.
- A mouthguard is also necessary for individuals participating in contact sports to protect not only their veneers but also their natural teeth and supporting dental structures.
- Visit your dentist regularly so they can assess the condition of your veneers and identify any signs of wear or early signs of trouble.
- Following these habits will help your veneers last longer and reduce the risk of chipping.
How to detect a chipped veneer
Early recognition of a chipped veneer prevents further damage and premature failure of the restoration.

Techniques for Visual Inspection
Larger chips are more visible with the visual inspection, along with the aid of magnification, whereas the smaller ones are harder to spot.
These chips are usually visible under good lighting, sometimes requiring magnification. Inspect any unevenness, rough areas, or changes in the smooth shape of the veneer.
Tactile Inspection: Press your tongue or a clean finger against the veneer surface lightly. You might feel a sharp edge, roughness, or a small irregularity where the chip has occurred.
Observe the veneer under different lighting. Different lighting angles can make chips more visible as light reflects off the veneer surface.
Compare the chipped veneer with its adjacent teeth or veneers to help spot differences in form, size, or texture.
Determining the extent of the damage
- Minor chips or small surface-level chips are limited to the enamel and appear as small irregularities or dull spots. Rough surfaces create aesthetic issues and can irritate the tongue or gums.
- Moderate chips that go deeper into the composite or porcelain surface. These are more visible and can expose more of the underlying natural tooth. These kinds of chips can create sensitivity.
- Severe Chips/Breaks (Denting the Tooth Below): In the worst cases, the chip can travel through the veneer and harm the tooth underneath. If dentin or the pulp (the nerve) of the tooth is exposed underneath, it may cause a lot of pain, sensitivity, and a higher chance of infection. At times, the whole veneer can debond and come off from the tooth.
Keep in mind that though self-examination can check for possible problems, the final diagnosis and evaluation of damage must always be done by a professional dentist.
Professionally repairing chipped dental veneer.
Your dentist might use the following equipment and materials for veneer repair.
If your dental veneers are fabricated from composite resin, your dentist will use the same material to repair the chip, matching the shade to your pre-existing veneer.
For repairing porcelain veneers, dentists use specific kits containing porcelain repair materials.
Bonding Agents and adhesives are used to glue the repair material onto the original tooth and veneer.
Polishing tools, like different burs and polishing pastes, are utilized to smooth and polish the repaired section so that it can easily blend with the remaining part of the veneer.
Curing Light: A special UV light is utilized for curing and hardening the soft tooth-colored materials.
Step-by-Step Repair Process (Carried Out by a Dentist)

The exact repair process will vary with the extent of the damage and whether the veneer is porcelain or composite, but generally involves the following professional processes:
Assessment and Diagnosis: The dentist will examine the chipped veneer and underlying tooth carefully, often with magnification and dental tools, and possibly X-rays, to assess the extent of the damage.
For porcelain veneer chips or fractures: In most instances, the veneer has to be removed, and a new one has to be fabricated in the lab.
For composite resin veneers, the repair process involves several steps:
Shade Matching: The dentist will match the shade of the resin to the current veneer precisely for flawless repair.
Bonding Agent Application: The prepared surface is coated with a bonding agent to form a good adhesive layer.
The composite resin is applied directly in layers to the chipped area
Curing (for composite resin veneers): A specific curing light will be used to set the material.
Shaping and Polishing: The composite resin is carefully shaped, followed by polishing to achieve a natural, smooth finish, so it does not irritate the tongue or gums.
Bite Adjustment: Your dentist will monitor your bite so that the repair will not interfere with your bite (occlusion) and so that no high spots are placing unnecessary pressure.
If you notice a chip in your veneer, consult your dentist immediately, as early professional treatment can help save your veneer and the tooth below it from further damage.
FAQs
How much does it cost to repair a chipped veneer?
Small composite chips typically run $300-$1000 to fix, while porcelain damage usually means replacing the whole veneer for around $1,000-$2,500. (Costs vary by region and clinic.)
Can a chipped veneer be fixed the same day?
Composite veneer repairs can often be done in one visit, but porcelain chips usually need a new veneer made in the lab, which takes about a week.
Will my dental insurance cover veneer repair?
Most insurance plans don’t cover veneer repairs since they’re considered cosmetic. Some might help pay for the damage if it affects your bite or causes pain (rarely).
How long do veneer repairs typically last?
Composite repairs usually hold up for 3-5 years, while a full veneer replacement gives you the original lifespan back—about 10-15 years for porcelain.
Can I eat normally with a chipped veneer?
You’ll want to stick to soft foods and chew on the other side until it’s fixed, since the rough edge can irritate your tongue or gums.
What should I do immediately if my veneer chips?
Rinse gently with warm water, avoid hard foods, and call your dentist—most offices can see you within a day or two for veneer emergencies.