Veneers are thin covers made of porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the front of teeth. Getting veneers can dramatically improve the look of your smile by covering stains, chips, gaps, and other imperfections. However, some people wonder if veneers will eventually fall off after being placed. There are a few factors that determine how long veneers will last.
Do veneers fall off?
Veneers are meant to be a long-term solution, but they don’t last forever. With proper care, veneers can last 10-15 years or longer before needing to be replaced. However, it is possible for veneers to fall off prematurely if they weren’t placed properly or cared for correctly.
Some reasons veneers may fall off early include:
- Improper placement – If the tooth wasn’t prepared correctly or the veneer wasn’t bonded on properly, it may debond and fall off sooner.
- Damage from grinding or clenching – Habits like grinding or clenching your teeth can crack or loosen veneers over time.
- Poor oral hygiene – Not brushing and flossing properly around veneers allows plaque to build up, which can weaken the bond.
- Excessive forces – Things like biting nails, chewing hard foods, or trauma to the mouth can cause veneers to come off.
With good dental hygiene and avoiding damaging habits, most veneers should remain intact for many years before needing replacement. But improper placement and care make them more likely to debond and fall off prematurely.
How long do veneers usually last?
With proper placement and care, the average lifespan of porcelain veneers is 10-15 years. However, they can last 20 years or longer in ideal circumstances.
Composite resin veneers tend to have a shorter lifespan of 5-7 years on average.
Here are some factors that affect veneer longevity:
- Type of material – Porcelain lasts longer than resin.
- Your oral hygiene – Brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings help veneers last.
- Your habits – Clenching, grinding, nail biting reduce lifespan.
- Placement technique – Proper tooth preparation and bonding help veneers stay put.
- Your lifestyle – Your diet and exposure to staining foods and drinks affect longevity.
With porcelain veneers taken care of properly, it’s common for them to last 10-15 years or longer without issues. Get them placed correctly and practice good hygiene for best results.
Signs your veneer is failing
While veneers are designed to last many years, sometimes problems develop that indicate a veneer is failing and at risk of falling off. Watch for these signs:
- Cracking, chipping, or fracturing of the veneer
- Discoloration at the edge of the veneer
- Tooth sensitivity underneath the veneer
- A loose feeling veneer that can be clicked with your fingernail
- Gaps forming at the edge of the veneer
- A change in your bite feeling off
If you notice any of these warning signs, schedule a dental visit right away. Your dentist can examine the veneer, check for leakage, decay or damage, and determine if the veneer needs to be replaced or repaired. Don’t wait until it fully falls off.
Can failing veneers be repaired?
In some cases, failing veneers can be repaired by re-bonding them to extend their lifespan. However, veneers with extensive damage are often too far gone to salvage.
Minor repairs like re-bonding a slightly debonded veneer, sealing small gaps around the edge, or smoothing small chips in the veneer may be possible.
But veneers with fractures, large sections breaking off, decay underneath, or other significant damage usually must be fully replaced. Trying to salvage them with major repairs often leads to worse problems down the road.
Your dentist can best assess whether a failing veneer can be repaired or needs replacement. Small, localized fixes may buy you more time, but heavily damaged veneers are better off being redone.
Can you reattach a veneer that fell off?
It may be possible to reattach a veneer that fell off, but only if done quickly and properly. The key is keeping the tooth and veneer intact.
Steps to reattach a fallen veneer:
- Retrieve the intact veneer and carefully clean it.
- Rinse your mouth out well if the veneer fell off onto an unclean surface.
- Keep the underlying tooth moist and clean while out of the mouth.
- Try placing the veneer back onto the tooth yourself temporarily.
- Use dental adhesive like denture glue to keep it in place until seeing a dentist.
- See your dentist ASAP for proper bonding and attachment.
Veneers that have fallen off and not reattached quickly have a lower chance of successful reattachment. Seek professional help fast for the best results. Never use superglue or DIY methods to re-bond a dental veneer.
What happens if you don’t replace a fallen veneer?
Leaving a fallen veneer unreplaced leads to some negative consequences:
- The exposed tooth is unprotected and prone to cavities, decay, and sensitivity.
- Cracks or fracture in the tooth are more likely without the veneer in place.
- You are left with an unsightly gap, uneven teeth, and smile asymmetry.
- Surrounding teeth may shift or super-erupt into the gap over time.
- Jaw alignment and bite problems can develop without the veneer there.
While one fallen veneer may not seem like an emergency,prompt replacement helps prevent much larger problems. See your dentist right away if a veneer falls out for evaluation and a replacement option.
Do teeth need work done again before replacing veneers?
Most of the time, teeth need some preparation work done again before replacing old veneers. This involves:
- Removing any remaining cement or adhesive
- Assessing for decay or damage on the tooth
- Re-shaping the tooth surface slightly if needed
- Taking impressions for the new veneers
- Making temporary veneers to wear while new ones are made
In some cases, very minimal tooth reduction may be needed. But often teeth do require being prepped again for new veneer placement to ensure proper fit and optimal bonding.
A digital scan is sometimes taken instead of physical impressions these days. But some work on the teeth themselves is still usually required when doing replacement veneers.
Veneer replacement process
Getting replacement veneers after old ones fall out or fail involves:
- Initial exam – Assess teeth and determine veneer failures.
- Cleanup – Remove old bonding material and impressions.
- Preparation – Reduce teeth again if needed for new veneers.
- Impressions – Take molds or scans of prepared teeth.
- Temp veneers – Place temporaries on teeth for the 2-3 week process.
- Lab work – New veneers fabricated to match temporaries.
- Bonding – Etch teeth, apply adhesive, seat new veneers.
- Adjustments – Make any needed tweaks to fit and bite.
It takes around 2-3 weeks to complete the full replacement process. Proper handling of the temporary veneers during this time is crucial to avoid worsening damage on the prepared teeth.
Cost of veneer replacement
Just like initial placement, replacing fallen or failed veneers is an investment. On average, you can expect to spend:
- Porcelain veneers: $925 – $2,500 per tooth
- Composite veneers: $250 – $1,500 per tooth
Factors affecting the cost include:
- How many veneers need replacement
- What material you choose – porcelain or composite
- How complex your case is
- Your location and dentist fees
While certainly pricey, keep in mind replacement veneers should last 10-15 years with proper care. Get a few consultations to find the most affordable option for your situation.
Can I avoid having veneers replaced?
To avoid requiring veneer replacements, be diligent with these care practices:
- Brush gently 2x daily with non-abrasive toothpaste
- Floss once daily
- See your dentist for cleanings every 6 months
- Use a veneer-safe mouthguard if grinding at night
- Avoid chewing on hard items like ice or nails
- Come in immediately if you notice any problems
Good oral hygiene and being watchful for signs of trouble can help veneers last their full lifespan. But even with great care, replacements may still be needed after 10-15 years of wear.
Alternatives to veneer replacement
Instead of replacing failed veneers, you could consider these alternate options:
- Teeth whitening – If discoloration is the main issue
- Orthodontics – To close gaps without veneers
- Dental bonding – Less expensive resin restoration
- Crowns – More extensive treatment but very durable
- Dentures or implants – If multiple teeth need restoration
Consult your dentist to determine if veneers are still the best restorative option, or if an alternative treatment may be better for your situation when replacement is needed.
Frequently asked questions
How do you know when to replace veneers?
Replace veneers when you notice cracking, loosening, staining, decay, changes in fit or bite, or after 10-15 years of wear. Your dentist can best determine if replacement is needed through an exam.
Can you replace just one veneer?
It’s possible but challenging. The new veneer may not match old ones still in place. Most dentists recommend replacing all veneers at once for the best uniform look.
Is it painful to replace veneers?
Some mild sensitivity is common during the process. But local anesthesia is used during tooth reduction and veneer placement to prevent pain. Most patients report very minimal if any real pain.
Conclusion
While made to last many years, veneers do eventually need replacement though proper care extends their lifespan. Monitor your veneers closely and be diligent with oral hygiene to avoid expensive premature replacements. See your dentist right away if you have any concerns to prevent worse damage. With appropriate care and timely replacement when needed, veneers can keep your smile beautiful for decades.