When receiving your veneers, it is likely that you’re excited about your new appearance. You finally feel confident and comfortable in the way you look, and you couldn’t be happier with the results. But one day, you suddenly discover that a veneer fell off, leaving you wondering what to do. Before you enter into panic mode, a dentist shares a few helpful tips that will help you handle the situation until you are able to make an appointment.
What Can Cause a Veneer to Fall Off?
There are many reasons a veneer might fall off, but this rarely happens. Some of the most common reasons dentists must reattach a veneer are:
- It is old and needs to be replaced anyway. Veneers are only meant to last, on average, a decade, so if it is older than that, there’s a good chance you need to have it replaced.
- It was not properly bonded when initially put into place. If the bonding agent was not applied correctly, it will likely fall off repeatedly.
- You neglect your oral hygiene and develop tooth decay. If the enamel breaks down because of bad bacteria and plaque attacking the tooth enamel, it will eventually cause the veneer to fall off.
- There is a lack of protection when playing sports, or if you grind your teeth at night, or you choose to eat hard, crunchy foods that are known to damage teeth.
What to Do if a Veneer Falls Off
When faced with the reality of losing a veneer, there are various steps you should take to ensure the health and future aesthetics of your smile. These include:
- Retrieving the veneer and placing it in a small container. You’ll need to bring it with you to your appointment.
- Call your cosmetic dentist in Westport to alert them to your situation. They’ll work to schedule an appointment for you at their earliest convenience.
- Be mindful while eating or caring for your teeth while your veneer is detached from your tooth. You’ll want to avoid any type of hot or cold foods and beverages because of the potential for sensitivity.
When arriving for your appointment, your dentist will determine the underlying cause and recommend appropriate treatment to keep it from happening again. Once your veneer is evaluated, it will be determined if it should be repaired or replaced with a new one.
It might seem like a serious emergency when a veneer falls off, but you don’t need to worry. Your dentist will take care of your smile when you arrive. But in the meantime, make sure to abide by these recommendations to avoid further damage to your teeth.
About the Author
Earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree, Dr. Masha Kogan attended a General Residency at Hackensack University Hospital. She and the team at Dental Center of Westport are truly invested in providing patients with quality care. If you have porcelain veneers, contact us at (203) 227-8700 to learn how to best care for them to ensure greater longevity.