When Should Porcelain Veneers Be Replaced?
Replacing Veneers
As one of the longest lasting materials in restorative and cosmetic dentistry, porcelain can be a great investment. With the right care and hygiene, porcelain fillings, crowns, or veneers can last for decades with virtually no wear. However, that is not to say they are impervious to harm.
If you have porcelain veneers, there are a number of reasons why one or more may need replacement. For our patients in Nashville and the surrounding areas, we will gladly replace an old or damaged veneer with a new one, preserving your beautiful smile for many more years to come.
Make Your Veneers Last
As durable as porcelain is, it will not last long if you neglect proper care of your teeth. Although porcelain veneers themselves are not susceptible to tooth decay, they do not prevent decay from forming in the underlying tooth tissue. If tooth decay forms underneath or around a porcelain veneer, the veneer will likely have to be removed for restorative treatment to ensue.
It is therefore vital to maintain regular hygiene of all teeth, in order to ward off disease and prevent premature replacement of a veneer.
Reasons for Replacing Porcelain Veneers
Even with diligent care, it is not always possible to preserve the condition of porcelain veneers forever. Damage, wear and tear, and cosmetic dissatisfaction can all factor into reasons for receiving new ones. If you have one or multiple veneers suffering from the following problems, you may want to consider the benefits of replacement:
- Tooth decay: As noted above, it is entirely possible for cavities to form within a tooth that is covered by a veneer. Decay is easily treatable through a conventional filling procedure, but the veneer must first be removed. Thus, treatment of a cavity will require a veneer’s replacement.
- Chips and cracks: Small damage to your veneers may be incurred through eating habits, teeth grinding, or general stress exerted on your teeth over time. Whatever the reason may be, it’s possible for a veneer to acquire chips or cracks along the edges. Once it becomes a cosmetic problem or exposes the tooth, replacement may be warranted.
- A broken veneer: If a sizable piece of porcelain breaks off, there’s a chance it can be repaired. However, dental cement cannot always reliably bond a veneer back together, and even then, the cement may be visible. Replacing a damaged porcelain veneer is often the most reliable option.
- Discoloration or stains: Porcelain is considered stain resistant, meaning it will deter permanent stains far better than alternative materials. Still, certain food and drink, such as coffee or wine, can gradually discolor a veneer; this is doubly true when regular brushing habits are neglected. Unfortunately, the only way to restore a veneer’s color is through replacement.
- Desire for cosmetic change: Sometimes, porcelain veneers do not meet a patient’s expectations. A previous procedure may have yielded unsatisfactory results, or a veneer’s color may no longer match the rest of a patient’s teeth. If you feel underwhelmed with your smile, allow us to replace your underperforming veneers.
What You Can Expect From a Replacement
The replacement procedure is remarkably similar to when you originally had veneers installed:
- The preexisting veneer will be removed. No additional enamel will be removed during a replacement procedure.
- If any restorative work needs to be performed, such as decay removal, it will be done at this point. Once the tooth has been prepared, an impression will be made for an accurate, new fit.
- If the impression will be sent out to a lab, you will be given a temporary veneer to wear while the permanent replacement is crafted.
- Once prepared, your new porcelain veneer will be positioned and cemented on.
Don’t Let Your Veneers Detract from Your Smile
Porcelain veneers are meant to keep your teeth attractive and healthy looking. A damaged or flawed veneer can be a distraction to the rest of your smile, but a replacement procedure is an easy solution. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Clint Newman to see how we can keep your smile strong and bright.
