I Chipped my Veneer! What Should I Do Now?

Do you feel self-conscious about your teeth due to decay, damage, discoloration, or other aesthetic issues? If so, we have great news: there’s no reason to conceal your smile any longer. Porcelain veneers offer a fantastic functional and cosmetic solution that can correct your bite and provide a long-lasting, stain-resistant solution that past patients have raved about.

Dr. Timothy Luong, a highly trained oral health specialist with extensive diagnostic and treatment expertise, can help you achieve your dream smile. All you have to do is contact us at Ascend Dental Studio. We also warmly welcome you to visit us at our practice in Henderson, NV.

Taking certain precautions will extend the life of your porcelain veneers

One of the best ways to deal with chips is to be mindful and prevent them in the first place. Even though porcelain veneers are more stain-resistant than natural teeth, regular dental hygiene is still necessary. You can also extend the life and durability of your veneers by avoiding chewing on hard or overly sticky foods or objects. These practices, as well as the common habit of opening containers or tearing away plastic with your teeth, could damage your vibrant new veneers.

Otherwise, they require no special care and should last 10 – 15 years, or possibly longer, especially if you continue visiting us for regular check-ups and cleanings. This allows our expert team to monitor the status of your veneers and overall dental health in Henderson, NV.

What to do if you experience chipped or cracked veneers

It’s essential to inspect the damage and to carefully remove any broken pieces. And try not to worry – the tooth itself may not be adversely affected. But, if the edges of the chipped veneer cause you pain or discomfort, you can use dental wax (available at drugstores or possibly your local supermarket) to plug it until you’re able to receive professional care. However, we recommend contacting us at Ascend Dental Studio, or visiting our Henderson practice, as soon as possible.

It may also help, for the future integrity of your other veneers, to analyze what caused the damage. Was it a fluke injury that cracked your veneer? Or did it happen more gradually due to repeated behavior? For example, clenching or grinding your teeth causes structural weakening, and it may be best to find ways to wean yourself of this habit. For example, using a mouth guard while sleeping could significantly reduce this wear and tear.

If the veneer becomes debonded (though it’s rare), loosened, or detached from the tooth, possibly without breaking, it may be rebonded or simply and quickly reattached with dental adhesives. If it sustained a crack, chip, or some other light knock, we might be able to fix it. Depending on the severity of the chip, dental recontouring could buff it out. We’ll also apply some light buffing to your other veneers, so your smile looks natural and even.

If the crack is more significant, porcelain veneers cannot be repaired, and the best solution is to craft a replacement. It may sound like a disadvantage, but it’s due to the superiority of porcelain as a material: composite or resin veneers are easier to fix, but they do not boast the stain resistance or natural-looking, unmatched luminescence of porcelain.

Get a natural-looking smile with veneers

Of course, each case is situation-and-person-specific. But the dentist is dedicated to creating a personalized treatment plan just for you. Our general and cosmetic dentist Dr. Timothy Luong would love to restore your smile. So, reach out to us today, or pay us a visit at our practice in Henderson, NV to explore your options!