What is the reason behind a tooth veneer either fracturing, or falling off completely? Dr. Mark Gustavson is a partner at Affiliated Dentists in Madison, Wisconsin, and says the reason depends on the type of veneers, as well as a few other factors. Get it fixed immediately, he says, as the area will be much more prone to dental decay.
A veneer is like a contact lens that goes on the front of the tooth, protecting the tooth and making it look more attractive to the eye. In most cases, a small portion of tooth is removed from the tip of the tooth and the front of the tooth, so that a porcelain or composite veneer can replace it, while at the same time keeping a natural shape to the tooth.
There are two types of veneers — composite and porcelain veneers. Composite veneers are made by the lab, and consist of the same material which a white filing is made of. Porcelain ones are made of porcelain material, and are manufactured at the lab as well.
Reasons Behind Failure
A few things can make a veneer fail, which means it will either fall off or chip. The two main culprits are veneer fracture and veneer debonding. Your dentist will be able to tell right away what the reason behind the failure is, and then decide how to fix it. When a veneer fractures, it is usually because the way the teeth or the bite come together has made the veneer break. When there is debonding on a veneer, that means that either the porcelain breaks, or the glue used to stick the veneer down fails. If a veneer happens to debond, it’s usually because the adhesive process is technique-sensitive. If the techniques are not done perfectly, then the glue will not work.
Rare Occurrence
With well-constructed and well-placed veneers, a veneer failure is rare. You will know there is a veneer failure either when the veneer breaks, or when it comes off altogether. With a veneer fracture, in most cases, an entirely new veneer will be required. When debonding occurs, the veneer can often be rebonded, or re-cemented, back in place.
Contact your dentist immediately if your veneer starts to fail, for whatever reason. Most dentists can squeeze a cosmetic emergency in quickly. If you wait to get it fixed for just a short period of time then most likely it will not cause problems, because only a small amount of tooth structure has been removed. But if you choose to wait months and months before getting a veneer fixed, your tooth will be a lot more prone to dental decay, as that will be an area that bacteria can get into much more easily.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
