Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the front of teeth. They are an excellent way to improve the appearance of teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen or have gaps between them. However, some people worry that their veneers may fall off at some point after they are placed. This article will examine whether veneers can become detached and what causes them to fall off.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are custom-made shells that are bonded to the front surface of teeth. Porcelain veneers are made of feldspathic porcelain, which is a glass-like material that is both thin and strong. Resin veneers may be made of composite resin or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
Veneers are used to:
- Mask discolored or stained teeth
- Close gaps between teeth
- Repair chipped or worn teeth
- Alter the length and shape of teeth
The veneer restoration process involves lightly buffing the tooth’s surface to allow the veneer to bond properly. A small amount of enamel is removed, usually less than 0.5 mm. This preserves as much of the natural tooth structure as possible. Once bonded in place, veneers look and function like natural teeth.
Can Veneers Fall Off?
Veneers very rarely fall off when properly placed by an experienced cosmetic dentist. With appropriate care, they can last for over a decade before needing replacement. However, veneers can become detached if not looked after correctly.
Reasons Veneers May Fall Off
Some potential reasons veneers can fall off include:
- Improper bonding: If the tooth is not prepared correctly or the veneer is not properly bonded, it may not adhere well and can debond.
- Damage from trauma: A hard blow to the mouth can crack or chip a veneer. Repeated small impacts over time can also loosen the bonding.
- Excessive grinding or clenching: Grinding the teeth at night or clenching due to stress puts a lot of pressure on veneers and can cause them to pop off.
- Tooth decay: If decay forms under the veneer, it can destabilize the bonding and lead to detachment.
- Inadequate oral hygiene: Not cleaning properly around veneered teeth and allowing plaque buildup can lead to decay and bonding failure.
Most often, veneers debond due to improper placement and bonding. Using the most up-to-date bonding agents and techniques minimizes this risk. Patient habits like grinding, clenching and poor hygiene also play a role. But with good oral care and avoiding tooth-damaging behaviors, veneers should remain intact for many years.
Can Detached Veneers Be Reattached?
It is sometimes possible to reattach a veneer that has fallen off, provided the debonding occurred recently. The dentist will examine the veneer and tooth surface to assess whether reattachment is an option.
Here are some factors the dentist will consider:
- How long ago did the veneer come off? Reattaching is most likely if it just happened.
- Is the interior of the veneer free of debris and undamaged? It must be clean for reattachment.
- Is there decay or damage to the prepared tooth surface? This can prevent proper rebonding.
- Are the edges of the veneer intact? Cracked or fractured edges won’t reattach well.
If the detached veneer is still in good shape and the tooth surface is healthy and undamaged, the dentist will be able to re-bond it using dental cement. This saves the cost and time required to fabricate a replacement veneer.
However, if too much time has passed, there is tooth decay, or the veneer is damaged, a new one will need to be made. The dentist may be able to temporarily re-bond the old veneer until the new one is ready.
Caring for Veneers
While veneers are strong restorations meant to last many years, proper care is vital to ensure they stay firmly attached to teeth.
Oral Hygiene
Meticulous oral hygiene is crucial for the longevity of veneers. Brushing twice daily with a soft-bristled brush and flossing once a day will remove harmful plaque bacteria and food debris. This prevents decay and inflammation of the gums, which could undermine veneer bonding.
Patients should also see their dentist and hygienist for regular professional cleanings and exams. Special attention will be paid to cleaning around the veneer edges.
Avoid Damaging Habits
Habits that place excessive force on teeth can damage veneers and their bonding over time. Patients should make every effort to stop:
- Grinding and clenching teeth
- Chewing on ice, pens, fingernails or other hard objects
- Opening packages with teeth
A custom nightguard worn during sleep protects veneers from grinding damage.
See the Dentist Regularly
Patients should continue to see their dentist at least twice a year for exams and professional cleanings. The dentist will inspect the veneers for any signs of trouble and clean thoroughly around their edges. Any potential problems can then be addressed promptly before they jeopardize the veneers.
Replacing a Veneer
While veneers are long-lasting, they may need replacement at some point in the future. Reasons to replace a veneer include:
- Fracturing or chipping of the veneer
- Discoloration or staining over time
- Visible damage or decay at the veneer edge
- Loosening or falling off due to bonding failure
- A poor aesthetic outcome wanting improvement
As long as the underlying tooth remains healthy and strong, a veneer can usually be replaced with an updated restoration. The process involves:
- Numbing the tooth with local anesthetic
- Removing the old veneer
- Cleaning and preparing the tooth surface
- Taking an impression of the tooth
- Designing and fabricating the new veneer
- Cementing the new veneer on the tooth
In some cases, a new veneer may be bonded over an existing one if it is still intact and bonded firmly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do veneers typically last?
With proper care, porcelain veneers generally last 10-15 years or longer before needing replacement. Composite veneers may need replacement sooner, as they are more prone to staining and fracturing over time.
Can you eat normally with veneers?
Veneers allow you to eat and function just like natural teeth. While very strong, avoid chewing excessively hard or crunchy foods that could damage veneers.
Are veneers obvious?
Veneers should not look obviously artificial if properly color-matched to surrounding teeth. A skilled cosmetic dentist will fabricate veneers that look highly natural.
Can veneers be repaired if damaged?
Minor chips in veneers can often be smoothed out and polished by a dentist. But extensive fractures usually require replacing the entire veneer.
Do veneers stain?
Porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant, but composite resin veneers are more prone to discoloration over time. Proper oral hygiene helps minimize staining.
Conclusion
Veneers are a great way to improve the appearance of front teeth and transform your smile. While they can come off in rare cases, veneers usually remain firmly attached for many years with appropriate care. Practicing good oral hygiene, avoiding damaging habits, and seeing your dentist regularly helps ensure your veneers have maximal longevity.