What to Do When Your Dental Veneers Are Damaged

Arguably one of the most remarkable things about many aspects of modern dentistry is that only you and your dentist will generally know that the work has been performed. All anyone else will see is a seamless blending of your natural teeth and the prosthetic teeth that have been fabricated and installed. And since it's seamless, nobody should be able to tell that some of your teeth might have been fabricated especially for you. It can even be difficult for you to remember! And yet there are instances when a prosthetic section of your tooth might break or become loose. What do you need to do when a dental veneer becomes cracked or chipped or even falls off?

Two Ways in Which You Might Notice a Damaged Veneer

There are two key ways that you will become aware of any damage to your dental veneers. The first is when you feel it dislodging from the tooth it has been adhered to. The second is when you notice a crack or a chip when cleaning your teeth or otherwise examining them in a mirror.

A Dislodged Veneer

If the bonding agent has dissolved or become compromised, causing the veneer to dislodge from its anchor tooth, what should you do?

  • Be careful not to swallow the veneer.

  • Extract it from your mouth and place it inside a sealable container of a suitable size—you might wish to wrap it in a tissue or piece of kitchen towel for added protection.

  • See your dentist as soon as possible to find out if the veneer can be reattached as is.

  • Remember that whatever flaw was covered by the veneer will be evident until reattachment takes place, and you might experience increased sensitivity when eating or drinking during this time.

A Cracked or Chipped Veneer

If you have noticed a crack or chip in the veneer but the bonding agent has remained intact, you will still need to see your dentist as soon as possible. In the majority of cases, the veneer will have to be removed and replaced, since a crack in such a wafer-thin piece of material can be impossible to repair. Don't delay in visiting your dentist, even if the bonding agent appears to be holding strong. The crack or chip might worsen, and if left as is, can create a place for bacteria to accumulate.

A broken veneer can be a major annoyance, but it's one that your dentist should be able to correct quickly and easily.


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