Veneers are highly durable, but accidental chips happen. So what do you do?

Dental veneers can dramatically reshape and brighten your smile via a thin coating of either porcelain or composite resin. Less invasive than crowns and more permanent than bonding, veneers cover discolored teeth, fill in gaps between teeth, or even out oddly shaped teeth.

With proper care, veneers can stay viable for up to 15 years. But for all their durability, veneers, unfortunately, aren’t indestructible. Although rare, they can chip or fall out. If that happens to you, don’t panic! Call your dentist for options to repair your veneer.

How chipped veneers are repaired

Far from a modern dental invention, veneers have been around since 1920. Because they’re considered cosmetic, veneers are not typically covered by insurance. So it’s up to you to protect your investment in your smile.

But we get it. Despite taking every precaution, your veneer can accidentally chip or break off. Never try to repair the veneer yourself with at-home solutions. Instead, call your dentist for an emergency appointment. 

Since veneer placement involves removing a thin layer of enamel, your teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures. While you wait to see the dentist, you can apply dental wax to the tooth and avoid extreme temperatures.

During the appointment, your dentist will decide on the best course of action, depending on the severity of the damage. Most likely, the repair will involve patching the veneer with dental bonding or a composite material.

Minor chips. Minor chips are a relatively easy fix. Filing the veneer will make it uniform in shape and texture. Nearby teeth may be recontoured to keep the row of teeth symmetrical.

Broken or detached veneers. A severely cracked or completely detached veneer is more complicated to repair, but it can be done. If the veneer is broken, you can bring the pieces to your dentist, who may be able to reattach them with translucent bonding material. A veneer that has fallen off but is in good condition and one piece can possibly be secured to the tooth again.

However, a badly damaged veneer cannot be successfully fixed. Repairing the veneer may change its color and make it weaker. In that instance, you’ll need a new veneer.

How to avoid veneer repairs

Don’t want to go through the hassle of a veneer repair? Follow these tips to keep your veneers strong and bright for many years.

Brush and floss daily. Treat your veneer-coated teeth as all your other teeth, which entails brushing and flossing daily to remove bacteria and plaque. Veneers only cover the front of the tooth. Without care, decay can spread into the remainder of the tooth.

Limit stain-causing foods. Porcelain veneers are highly stain-resistant. But to be safe, avoid wine, coffee, tea, or berries that can discolor the veneer.

Don’t bite on hard objects. Break the habit of biting on pencils, ice, or other hard objects to prevent chips. Since veneers are usually placed on the front teeth, use your back teeth for chewing tough foods.

Wear a mouthguard. If you grind your teeth at night or play sports, ask your dentist for a mouthguard. It will protect your veneers from breakage.

Keep up with your dental appointments. Like daily brushing and flossing, visiting your dentist for a thorough cleaning and checkup is vital to a comprehensive oral health program. Schedule those appointments at least twice a year.

Let us improve your smile

Schedule an appointment at Espire’s Oklahoma City, OK, location today! Our highly trained dentists can give you the smile of your dreams with veneers or other dental restoration procedures. Don’t live near our Oklahoma City office? Find one of our other locations near you.

Oklahoma City, OK
12448 St Andrews Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73120