Veneers can do wonders to brighten up your smile, but sometimes a veneer can break or come off. There are many different reasons that explain why your veneer fell off, but in any case it’s important for you to fix this as soon as possible. So, if you’re having any problems with your dental veneers, here’s what you need to know before you can fix the problem.
Reasons why veneers fall off
Many underlying issues can cause veneer failure. The main reasons behind why your veneer broke or fell off include:
- The veneer is old: Most porcelain veneers should last at least ten years. However, as time goes by the bonding that keeps the veneers attached to your tooth can weaken, causing the veneer to come off.
- Your veneers weren’t bonded properly: If you have new veneers that keep falling off, chances are the veneer wasn’t bonded properly. To get your veneers bonded properly, consider seeing a different dentist for a second opinion.
- Tooth decay: Your tooth may no longer be healthy enough to stay connected to the veneer. If you’ve lost too much enamel, your tooth may no longer be able to hold onto the veneer. Luckily there are lifestyle choices that can help prevent or slow down tooth decay. Unfortunately, there are a few prescription drugs that you may need that can worsen the decay.
- Negligence: Your veneers will be more prone to breaking or coming off if you treat them harshly. Veneers are durable, but if you often chew on hard things like ice and hard candies, or grind your teeth, your veneers won’t last quite as long. All of these things damage both your veneers and your natural teeth, so it’s best to stay away from them.
Why your veneer fell off
Knowing the reasons why your veneer fell off can help you decide how to approach the problem. If the veneer was old, for instance, it won’t come as a surprise that it broke. But if your brand new veneer fell off, you might have gone to the wrong dentist. Get a second opinion before you go back.
However, if you know that you’re the reason your veneer broke (maybe you were eating hard candy), your best bet is to be more careful next time. Veneers shouldn’t break too easily. But if you’re exceptionally hard on your teeth, that will be a problem.
Can I glue my veneer that fell off back on?
If your veneer fell off in one piece, you may be wondering if gluing it back yourself is an option. Please don’t try this at home. The American College of Prosthodontists offers answers to many questions about veneers. And they’ll say the same thing we do: don’t try to fix it at home.
Gluing your veneer back yourself will do more harm than good. The glue you have at home isn’t suitable for dental bonding, so your veneer is unlikely to stay in place for long. Dentists use approved dental glues and cement for attaching veneers. More importantly, however, regular glue is toxic, so it’s definitely not a good idea to use it in your mouth, where you’ll inevitably swallow some.
Never try to reattach your veneer yourself! This can be dangerous for both your dental and physical health.
How to reattach a veneer
The only way to fix a veneer that’s broken or fallen off is to visit your dentist. Your dentist will be able to examine the tooth to determine if reattaching the veneer is a good option. Furthermore, your dentist uses durable, medically approved glues and cements for any work they perform.
If your veneer broke when it came off, your best choice will be to have it replaced, seeing as broken veneers can’t usually be fixed.
