What's Happening With My Dental Veneer?
In most cases, veneers provide people with a long-lasting and attractive way to improve the appearance of their teeth. These thin but strong dental adherents are easily applied and allow those with discolored or misshapen teeth to experience an almost instantaneous improvement to their smiles. In some instances, veneers can develop cracks and they can even begin to fall apart. Don't worry if that happens — just take action by reading the information below.
What to Know About Veneers
You can expect your veneer to last a long time — up to 10 years in some cases. However, the durability of a veneer varies according to individual use, eating habits, and materials used. When a veneer fails, it is often the bonding material used to adhere it to your tooth that gives way and not necessarily the actual veneer. Unfortunately, a broken or loose veneer can be ruined or can fall off in some cases.
Factors That Influence Durability
If it seems that your veneer has only been in place a short time, you may be falling victim to one or more of the below problems that can shorten its life.
Decay – Veneers can make an unattractive tooth look better but they should not be expected to protect teeth against decay. When a cavity occurs, it could be located behind or underneath the veneer, making it more difficult to detect it. Unfortunately, cavities can destroy the enamel that supports the veneer and that will usually lead to a weakened or failed veneer. Talk to your dentist right away. If the cavity has not gone too far, your dentist may be able to repair the damage and save both your tooth and the veneer. If not, a new veneer may be in order.
Teeth Grinding – Some people don't even realize that they are grinding their teeth until problems like broken veneers pop up. In many cases, no harm is done by teeth-grinding. However, your dentist might also have you fitted with a mouth guard to prevent damage.
Hard and Crunchy Foods – Your dentist may have warned you to stay away from hard candies and other tough or crunchy foods after having a dental procedure. Hard foods, ice, and other things can crack and damage your veneers.
What to Do
At the first sign of problems, have your dentist evaluate the cause and alleviate any underlying issues. In many cases, your veneer can be preserved and repaired if attention is paid quickly enough. To find out more, speak to a dentist.