Veneers are a widely popular solution in cosmetic dentistry that offer a stunning transformation for people with stained, uneven, or damaged teeth. Veneers are usually designed for long-term use. However, patients often ask: can veneers fall off, and what should you do if your veneers get damaged or fall out?
How durable are veneers?
Veneers are strong and resistant. They are made of porcelain or composite resin, securely attached to the front surface of the teeth with high-strength dental adhesive. Porcelain veneers are stronger and more stain-resistant, usually lasting 10–15 years. Composite veneers are more affordable but may last 5–7 years and require more maintenance.
With proper care, veneers function like natural teeth and can withstand everyday activities such as chewing and speaking without any issues.
Why do veneers fall off?
There are several reasons why veneers break, fall off, or get damaged.
• Age of veneers. The main reason is the age of the veneers. Porcelain veneers should last at least ten years, although many people claim their veneers lasted forever. But in most cases, they last more than 10 years. Over time, veneers slowly detach from the teeth as the adhesive bond weakens, causing veneers to delaminate and fall off. Sometimes, with age, bone and jawline recede, which leads to improper fitting of veneers and, consequently, to them falling off.
• Low-quality adhesive. The second most common reason is that the adhesive used to attach veneers to teeth was not of the highest quality. Or the dentist’s technique when placing the veneers was incorrect. In both cases, the problem did not occur because of the veneers but due to the dentist’s error.
• Cavities. The third common reason is tooth decay on the teeth that hold the veneers. There are many causes of cavities. It happens due to lifestyle, and in some cases due to the effects of prescription medications that some people cannot avoid.
• Teeth grinding. Another common reason is the habit of patients grinding their teeth during sleep. If bruxism occurs regularly, the pressure on veneers is high, and they can chip, break, or become damaged.
• Misaligned bite. If your bite places uneven pressure on the veneers, they can loosen.
• Trauma. A blow to the face or biting something hard can cause a veneer to detach.
• Lack of proper care. Lastly, but just as common a reason why veneers fall off or break, is negligence and ignoring hygiene rules. Poor oral hygiene leads to the weakening of the tooth structure. Veneers are delicate devices that require care. If the wearer often chews hard food or grinds their teeth, this can end with the veneer breaking or falling off.
What to do when a veneer falls off
In the case when veneers fall off, break, or get damaged in any way, do not try to put them back or repair them yourself. This can damage them even more. Carefully place the veneers in a small container and call your dentist for an emergency appointment.
If you have been wearing veneers for over 10 years, most likely wear and tear could have caused their displacement, falling off, or breakage. The dentist will examine the veneer and decide whether it can be reattached or if new veneers are needed. Depending on its condition, the dentist will carefully place it back temporarily and check if it still fits. If it does, the dentist will clean the veneer from the previous adhesive, examine the inner surface of the veneer. Then the inner surface will be chemically treated and re-bonded. After such repair, the veneer can serve for years again.
When teeth decay, the adhesive loosens, and veneers fall off. It is important to change your lifestyle to stop or reduce cavities. Cavities are harmful not only for veneers but also for your overall health. In some cases, for example, in patients with a history of bulimia, the sides of the teeth lose their outer enamel layer and expose dentin. This does not provide proper bonding with veneers, and over time the bond breaks down.
Veneers should not have been placed on such teeth in the first place, but it would be a mistake to reattach veneers to the same teeth. The best option in such cases is cavity treatment and crowns. This protects the back of the teeth, where enamel is completely worn out, and dentin is exposed.
If you suffer from the habit of grinding your teeth during sleep, it is recommended to wear night guards, which will help prevent stress and chipping of veneers.
The most important rule to avoid veneers falling off or being damaged is to carefully take care of them. Avoid frequent chewing of sweet candies or biting hard foods.
Finally, remember that you should never try to glue back veneers that have fallen off, even if they are undamaged and intact. The adhesive used to attach veneers to teeth is a special type of dental adhesive, and only a dentist has access to it. Ordinary glue is not intended for use in the mouth because it is toxic. Contact your dentist as soon as possible if your veneers have fallen off or been damaged.
If you have concerns about your veneers or need advice on how to care for them, contact YAREMA DENTAL clinic. We help patients not only get the smile of their dreams but also keep it for a long time.