Dental veneers are an excellent cosmetic dentistry option for those who want to keep their natural teeth but improve their color, shape, or brightness. Dental veneers have a high success rate and can last for well over a decade with the proper care [1].
But what happens when a dental veneer fails prematurely? A failing dental veneer may start to show a gap between the veneer and the gums, or it may feel loose. Here are a few reasons why your dental veneer may be failing.
Improper Placement
As with any dental restoration, proper placement is crucial to a dental veneer’s success. Improperly placed veneers are more likely to have problems over their lifespan, such as chips, cracks, and even decay underneath the veneer, all of which can cause veneers to fail prematurely.
Working with a dentist experienced in placing veneers for maximum comfort and longevity is essential for a successful procedure.
Poor Bonding
For a dental veneer to work, it must be properly bonded to your natural tooth. The bonding process is instrumental to the success of the veneer. If a veneer has not been correctly adhered to your tooth, it can begin to pull away from the tooth over time, which can cause discomfort, decay underneath the restoration, and tooth sensitivity.
Veneers that have not been bonded correctly have a weaker bond between your natural tooth and the restoration. This can cause the veneer to feel bulky or uncomfortable in your mouth and may cause the veneer to fail much sooner than one that has a strong bond [2].
Tooth Decay
Veneers essentially cover the visible surface of your teeth, which makes them an excellent cosmetic dentistry choice. However, veneers do not prevent tooth decay, so it is still essential to take care of your teeth when you have veneers.
Tooth decay can form underneath a dental veneer and cause it to fail. Getting regular dental checkups can ensure your teeth are cavity-free, but if you believe you have a cavity or are having issues with your veneer, seek advice from your dentist as soon as possible.
Bruxism (Teeth Grinding)
Although porcelain veneers are strong and durable, they can still be damaged, just like your natural teeth. As such, veneers are subject to chips and cracks from bruxism, also called teeth grinding.
Bruxism can cause visible damage to dental veneers and cause the restoration to become loose or pull away from your natural teeth. People who grind their teeth are more likely to experience damage to their veneers and need to have them replaced [3].
Keep Your Veneers Intact
You can keep your dental veneers strong and beautiful for many years by working with an experienced professional for your veneer placement and taking great care of your teeth.
Dental veneers should not feel bulky, loose, or uncomfortable. If you are having issues with your veneers, schedule a consultation with your dentist to see if your restorations could be failing and what you can do about it.
Sources:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8184312/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24608629/
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4192563/
