Are you tired of seeing chips, cracks, stains, and mild misalignments in your smile when you look in the mirror? If you’re not 100% happy with your reflection, you might benefit from porcelain veneers. These thin covers are customized to the just the right shape, shade, and size. Then, they’re bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth to mask one or several imperfections.
Although durable, veneers are not completely invincible and can be dislodged if not cared for correctly. Continue reading to learn why they sometimes fall off and what to do about it!
Why Did My Veneer Fall Off?
These restorations are made from durable ceramic that’s coated with a glaze durable enough to resist discoloration and damage, but that doesn’t make them invincible. They might become destabilized due to:
- Your dental hygiene. You must brush and floss twice daily to remove plaque and bacteria that cause cavities and gum disease. Your prosthetics can’t decay, but if the underlying teeth erode, there’s nothing for them to cling to.
- Their age. They can potentially last 25+ years, but may eventually need to be replaced if they become too worn or the cement holding them in place deteriorates.
- Your diet. Eating foods that are overly hard or sticky can damage the shells or push or yank them out of place.
What Should I Do if a Veneer Falls Off?
You might not think losing a veneer near Pittsburgh is urgent, but the underlying tooth is vulnerable to cavities and injuries without a restoration in place to protect it. The longer you wait to contact your dentist, the more likely you are to sustain additional damage.
The following steps can safeguard your smile if you have lost one or more of your veneers:
- Find the pieces. If your prosthetic broke into multiple pieces, do your best to locate and gather them up. There may bits in your mouth, so be careful not to swallow them. Store them in a baggy or container to take with you to your dental appointment.
- Contact your dentist. Call your dentist and let them know what happened. They’ll schedule an appropriate time to examine you based on your current condition. They might also provide special care instructions over the phone for you to follow until you arrive, like sticking to soft foods to avoid chips and cracks.
- Be cautious. The enamel under your veneers was thinned for them to fit flush against your gums, meaning your teeth are somewhat vulnerable to harm without the covers in place. You might feel increased sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures so eat and drink carefully.
- Don’t glue it yourself. Don’t try using super glue or other household products to try to reattach it because they’re often toxic if ingested and not intended for oral use. If you need a protective barrier, you can apply some dental wax over your roughened enamel to protect the tender tissues inside your mouth.
Once you arrive at your dentist’s office, they’ll examine your mouth and either recement your veneer or replace it, depending on your circumstances.
About the Practice
Patients at Warwick Dentistry benefit from a husband-and-wife dental duo with more than 30 years of combined experience. Drs. Joyce and John Warwick provide a comprehensive range of services to meet all your needs under one roof, including veneers. They take the time to get to know you, then utilize state-of-the-art equipment to improve your comfort while delivering personalized results tailored just for you. If you want to enhance your appearance, you can request a cosmetic consultation on the website or call (412) 391-1130.