Every cosmetic dental treatment, including porcelain veneers, has an expected lifespan.
Once veneers reach a certain point, the cement keeping the veneer and teeth together will fall, leaving the natural tooth exposed and those pricey porcelain shells will start falling.
Although this can take several years, because veneers can last 15 to 20 years with the proper care and maintenance, multiple factors can extend its lifetime or shorten it.
The Impact of Poor Oral Hygiene
Keeping your new veneers clean and plaque-free is essential to prevent damage, extend their lifetime, and avoid possible complications.
On the other hand, if you grind your teeth, smoke heavily, or have the habit of biting hard objects, you’re considerably reducing the life of your treatment and risking possible complications.
Furthermore, poor oral hygiene can lead to decay, enamel wear, and other complications that can put your treatment at risk indirectly.
Bad Planning and Malpractice
Without the appropriate preparation, planning, and execution, your veneers will keep falling. If these thin shells are not placed in the correct angle and position, your bite forces are more than strong enough to chip, fracture, or dislodge them in the blink of an eye.
Keep in mind that veneers are delicate and highly precise restorations that require a skilled cosmetic dentist to achieve the best results. That’s why an initial comprehensive evaluation is fundamental in cosmetic dentistry.
Trauma or Injury to the Mouth
Receiving trauma to the teeth or mouth can affect your veneer’s treatment. A direct hit on your tooth’s edge can break, fracture, or send your veneers flying away. In these circumstances, see your desist as soon as possible.
In severe cases, the trauma can cause tooth fracture and necrosis, requiring a root canal before placing your new veneers.
Signs and Symptoms of Veneers Falling Out
- Sensitivity or Pain in the Affected Tooth: If you feel discomfort or sensitivity after a veneer is placed, inform your dentist as soon as possible. This could mean that your veneer is not properly placed, the cement is leaking, or any other factor is leading to saliva and bacteria inside your tooth preparation.
- Noticeable Changes in the Appearance of the Veneer: Another great sign to notice is the mild change in color and shades of your veneers. Noticing darker shades, lines, or unusual colors in your veneered teeth is a clear indication that something went wrong and that your veneers are about to fall off. Remember that your tooth structure must be in perfect contact with the porcelain. Therefore, you shouldn’t notice preparations, shades, or cement.
- Difficulty Chewing or Discomfort While Eating: Hearing cracks or other sounds while you eat with your veneered teeth is another red flag. It is also having difficulties when chewing or noticing a cap that prevents you from biting normally.
Solutions for Dealing with Veneers Falling Out
If your veneers have fallen, avoid sticking them back with glue or cement. Instead, protect your prepared teeth using dental wax and call your dentist to schedule a dental emergency appointment as soon as possible.
While the wear in your teeth for porcelain veneers is just half a millimeter or less, you’ll still experience some mild discomfort, tooth sensitivity, or pain if the surface of your tooth gets exposed. Therefore, you’ll need to protect your teeth by applying dental wax onto the surface.
Also, try to find and store the fallen veneer in a clean container, as your dentist may be able to put it back in place.
Temporary Solutions to Protect the Affected Tooth
After attending your dental appointment, your dentist will prepare and adjust your teeth again to fix the issue and place a temporary resin veneer while you wait for the definitive veneers to come.
These provisional measures only last for a week or two, so you need to get back as soon as possible to have your new veneers attached and prevent damage to your tooth enamel.
Permanent Options for Fixing or Replacing Veneers
If the porcelain veneer is intact, your cosmetic dentist may opt to simply clean and prepare the tooth’s surface and reattach the veneers back. However, if it has suffered considerable damage, fractures, or prevents you from eating normally, it’ll have to be replaced.
Ultimately, the decision will depend on your dentist’s criteria and the state of your natural teeth and dental veneers.
However, if a restoration with veneer isn’t longer possible, your dentist may opt to indicate a dental crown to prevent further issues and avoid additional permanent damage to your natural teeth. If none of this works out for you, you could ask for a refund.
Preventive Measures to Avoid Veneers Falling Out
To extend the life of your veneers, you should focus on two main things:
- Keeping excellent oral hygiene to protect your teeth, gums, and veneers from getting harmful bacteria.
- Eating healthy and consciously to prevent damage to the veneer and natural teeth with excessively hard foods.
Take a step further and integrate mouthwashes, water flossers, dental floss, and fluoride toothpaste to extend the lifetime of your restoration and enjoy many years of a healthy smile.
Regular Dental Checkups and Cleanings
The maintenance and care of your veneers also involves seeing your dentist regularly. It is highly recommended that you find a state dental board-certified professional to perform your treatment and possible repairs and replacements with guaranteed results.
Experts recommend you see a dentist at least twice yearly to keep an eye on your restoration and catch any issues early on.
Avoiding Harmful Habits: Teeth Grinding or Biting Hard Objects
Finally, clenching your teeth, grinding, and biting hard objects also represent a significant hindrance to your cosmetic veneer treatment. Without a controlled occlusion, your veneers won’t last a month before starting to develop problems.
If you suffer from any of these issues, talk to your dentist and ask for a protective splint to keep your teeth and veneers safe.
