If you’re looking to enhance your smile and give your teeth a more perfect look, veneers might be your best solution. From teeth discoloration to irregular tooth shape and other dental issues in between, veneers offer a wide range of cosmetic dentistry solutions to give you a confident smile.
While veneers are known for their durability and longevity, you may be wondering if veneers can come off. Yes, veneers can come off, but it is not that common!
With proper care and professional application, you can minimize the risk and enjoy the benefits of your veneers for a long time.
It’s best to consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist such as Bedford Dental Group if you notice any issues with your veneers or you’re planning to beautify your dentition with professionally fixed veneers.
In this article, you’ll learn how long each type of veneer lasts, common reasons your veneer might fall off, and what to do if your veneer falls off.
How Common is it For Veneers to Come Off?
Veneers are generally durable and can last for many years when you properly care for them. They are not like porcelain crowns that commonly fall out with time. However, they may come off or experience issues due to various factors such as poor installation quality, poor material quality, oral hygiene practices, and individual habits.
If you notice your veneer is falling off or having other issues, do not hesitate to contact a cosmetic dentist for immediate treatment even during weekends.
How Long Do Veneers Last?
How long veneers last largely depends on the type of material used and the kind of maintenance they receive. Here’s an overview of the average lifespan of different types of veneers.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are known for their durability and can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years or even longer with proper care. Practices that help porcelain veneers last long include proper oral hygiene, regular dental check-ups, and avoiding habits like teeth grinding or biting on hard objects.
Composite Resin Veneers
On average, composite resin veneers stay up to 5 to 7 years.
They’re considered less durable than porcelain veneers. To improve the lifespan of composite resin veneers, engage in healthy cosmetic dental practices such as careful and regular maintenance, avoiding staining substances like tobacco and coffee, and addressing any issues promptly.
Warning Signs That Veneers Might Come Off
There are certain symptoms that may indicate that your veneers may fall off sooner or later. You need to monitor your dentition every time to identify these signs and address them before they get worse. These signs include:
- Loosening or movement of the veneer
- Discomfort or sensitivity around the veneered tooth
- Visible gaps between the veneer and the natural tooth
- Chipping or cracks in the veneer
What Do You Do if Your Veneer Falls Off?
If your veneer comes off, it’s important to take immediate action to protect your tooth and the veneer. Here are some recommended steps you can take.
- Try to locate the fallen veneer. Handle it carefully to avoid any damage.
- Check the veneer for any damage. If it’s chipped or cracked, it might not be suitable for reattachment.
- Place the veneer in a clean, safe container to protect it if the veneer is undamaged.
- Avoid bending or flexing the veneer.
- Inspect your natural tooth to ensure there are no signs of damage or decay. If there are any issues, you may need to address them before reattaching the veneer.
- Continue to maintain good oral hygiene. Gently brush and floss the affected tooth, being careful around the area where the veneer came off.
- Call or visit your dentist’s office as soon as possible to explain the situation. They will provide guidance on the next steps.
- Avoid DIY fixes. Refrain from attempting to reattach the veneer yourself using household adhesives as they can lead to improper alignment and further damage.
- Professional advice is crucial to accurately assess the condition of the veneer and tooth accurately. Prompt action can prevent further damage and increase the chances of successful reattachment.
Common Reasons Why Veneers Fall Out
Natural Wear and Tear
Over time, the teeth and installed veneers may degenerate due to normal wear and tear. Chewing, grinding, and clenching can contribute to the gradual degradation of the bonding material. You can minimize this through adequate maintenance.
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Regular grinding of the teeth can wear veneers out and eventually make the veneers fall. You can use protective measures such as a nightguard to mitigate this issue.
Accidents or Trauma
Accidents or physical trauma, such as a blow to the face, can cause veneers to come off especially if the force is directed towards the front teeth.
Issues with the Bonding Process
Veneers are more likely to come off if they don’t properly bond to the tooth surface during the initial placement. Improper bonding can be a result of many factors such as inadequate preparation of the tooth and improper adhesive application.
Eating Hard or Sticky Foods
Foods that are hard or sticky such as candies, ice, etc., may put extra stress on veneers and potentially cause the veneer to dislodge.
Existing Dental Problems
Fixing veneers on top of teeth with underlying issues such as tooth decay may affect the stability of the veneer. Such dental defects may affect the bond between the veneer and the tooth and eventually cause the veneer to fall off.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Inadequate oral hygiene can lead to bacteria and plaque accumulation around the veneer’s margins. This can weaken the bond over time and contribute to the veneer detaching from the tooth.
Grinding or Clenching of Teeth (Bruxism)
People who grind or clench their teeth may experience more stress on their dental work, including veneers. Over time, the habit can weaken the bond between the veneer and the tooth, and the veneers may fall off.
Changes in Tooth Structure
Natural changes in the tooth structure, such as shifts or movements, can affect the fit of the veneer over time. This may lead to the veneer becoming loose or dislodged.
How to Ensure Your Veneers Last Long
Although veneers are renowned for their durability, ensuring your veneer lasts long involves intentional efforts toward proper dental care and preventive measures to mitigate risks. Here are some steps that help improve the durability of veneers.
- Learn proper oral hygiene practices such as regular brushing and removal of debris from the teeth.
- Apply gentle dental care techniques such as gentle brushing.
- Use non-abrasive oral care products such as toothpaste to avoid scratching the veneer surface.
- Avoid hard and sticky foods that may damage the veneers. When eating hard foods, consider cutting them into smaller, bite-sized pieces to reduce the risk of trauma to the veneers.
- If you participate in contact sports or activities that pose a risk of facial trauma, consider wearing a custom-fitted mouth guard.
- If you grind or clench your teeth (bruxism), discuss this with your dentist. They may recommend a night guard to protect your veneers from the effects of grinding.
- Seek professional teeth cleaning to help remove any accumulated plaque or stains that may affect the appearance and durability of your veneers.
- Avoid using your veneers or natural teeth as tools for tasks like opening packages or tearing tape
- If you experience any discomfort, changes in the fit of your veneers, or signs of dental issues, seek prompt dental attention. Early intervention can prevent further complications.
Did Your Dentist Apply Veneers Correctly?
EEAT – Build trust and authority
1. Consultation With a Dentist
A visit to a cosmetic dentist’s office begins the process. The dentist assesses the patient’s concerns and general oral health and ascertains whether veneers are the most suitable solution.
2. Planning of the Treatment
The dentist creates a treatment plan as soon as they confirm that the solution is veneers. Then, they discuss the expectations with the patient, considering the desired shape, size, veneer colors etc.
3. Preparation of the Tooth
To create adequate space for the veneer, your dentist may need to remove a half-millimeter of the enamel (for porcelain veneers) from the front surface of your teeth. Unlike other dental procedures like dental crowns, veneers require the removal of a relatively small enamel. We advise you to triple-check check your dentist prepared your teeth the right way.
4. Taking of Impressions
The dentist will take molds or impressions of your teeth as a model for creating precisely-fitted, custom-designed veneers. The impressions help to get accurate teeth details such as height, size, etc.
5. Temporary Veneers
As the patient waits for the production of the permanent veneers, the dentist may place temporary veneers on their teeth to help protect and maintain their fine looks.
6. Bonding
Once the veneers are ready, the dentist carefully bonds them to the prepared tooth surfaces using a strong dental adhesive. This process ensures a secure and long-lasting attachment.
7. Final Adjustments
The dentist makes any necessary adjustments to ensure that the veneers fit comfortably and align seamlessly with the patient’s bite.
8. Polishing
The final step involves polishing the veneers to achieve a natural and aesthetically pleasing appearance. It takes some experience and expertise to install and polish the veneers to look as natural as possible. That’s why you need to contact a skilled cosmetic dentist such as Bedford Dental Group to ensure a smooth and healthy veneer fixing process.
What Are The Right Dental Veneers For You?
Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin that are custom-designed to cover the front surface of teeth. They are a popular cosmetic dentistry option that helps enhance the appearance of teeth by altering the color, shape, size, or length.
Veneers are used to address dental issues such as discoloration, uneven spacing, chipped tooth enamel, irregular tooth shape, minor tooth crowding, etc. There are primarily two types of veneers.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are durable thin shells made of porcelain customized to look like natural teeth. What makes porcelain veneers stand out is their versatility and conservative approach. Customized to complement your facial features, porcelain veneers require minimal enamel removal compared to alternative treatments. This and their durability and stain resistance ensure a long-lasting solution for a radiant smile.
Composite Resin Veneers
Constructed from a tooth-colored resin material, composite veneers are a more affordable alternative to porcelain. Unlike porcelain veneers, they are crafted from a composite resin and applied directly to your teeth to correct dental issues such as discoloration, minor chips, or uneven spacing.
What makes composite resin veneers notable is their direct application and the relatively conservative approach to tooth preparation. They may not be as durable as porcelain, but composite resin veneers offer a cost-effective and beautiful option with proper care and maintenance.
Conclusion
Although dental veneers are largely durable, certain factors such as wear and tear, teeth grinding, inadequate bonding, etc., can affect their stability and eventually make them fall off. Hence, you need proper oral care and expert guidance from a professional cosmetic dentist to ensure your veneers stay in place. Concerned about your veneers or considering getting them? Book a free consultation with our expert doctors at Bedford Dental Group to discuss your needs and get started.
