Many people want to address various cosmetic concerns in their teeth but are unsure of the best way to achieve their goals. If you’re feeling frustrated or self-conscious about flaws, such as chips, cracks, stubborn stains, or mild misalignments, you might benefit from porcelain veneers.
These restorations can mask imperfections to enhance your appearance, and aren’t intended to be removed once they’re cemented in place. However, that doesn’t mean they’re invincible or never experience failure. If you’ve lost a veneer, continue reading to learn why it might have happened and what to do about it!
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin shells that are made from resilient ceramic that can be customized to resemble your natural enamel. Then, they’re attached to the fronts of your teeth to hide visible issues in your grin to boost your confidence.
It’s worth noting that for them to fit correctly, your provider must remove a small amount of enamel. It doesn’t regrow or regenerate, making this an irreversible change that slightly alters the structure of your smile. You’ll need to have veneers or some other suitable restoration in place to prevent potential harm. Fortunately, they can last 20+ years if cared for correctly, making them an excellent long-term solution.
Why Did My Veneer Fall Off?
These prosthetics can last for decades if they’re properly maintained, but they can be damaged or dislodged if you’re not careful. For instance, if the underlying tooth develops cavities or gum disease, your veneer could become destabilized and fall off.
You might also injure or lose one if you indulge in too many hard, crunchy, sweet, or sticky foods, or if you drink too many alcoholic beverages, which can dissolve the cement your dentist used to anchor them.
How Should I Handle a Lost Veneer?
It’s natural to worry about next best steps if you’ve just realized one of your veneers fell off. Do your best to locate it (or its pieces, if it’s broken). Rinse it off to remove any dirt or debris, then store it safely to bring with you to your dentist’s office.
You might wonder if it’s safe to try to glue your restoration back over your tooth yourself, but this isn’t usually recommended. For starters, many available adhesives, such as super glue, are generally not strong enough to bond your restoration effectively to your enamel. Furthermore, they are typically not intended for oral use and may be toxic if ingested.
Contact your dentist’s office to report the issue, and they’ll schedule an examination at a suitable time to provide an appropriate treatment plan.
About the Practice
At Wolfe Dental Cedar Mill, you and your family benefit from a team of providers who share decades of combined experience. Dr. Wolfe, Dr. Yesenofski, and Dr. Baker collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages, including veneers. Their compassionate approach is paired with state-of-the-art equipment to enhance patient comfort while delivering quality results intended to last. You can request an appointment on the website or call (503) 751-2735.