The giant tortoise, an all-day sucker, a redwood tree, bottled water, and porcelain veneers. All of these things can last a long time. But the end comes for everyone, and it is important to prepare.

In the case of the last item, replacing veneers before something goes wrong is the ideal approach for your oral health. They can last up to 20 years with proper care and treatment, but what are the signs that it is time for you to seek a veneer replacement?

When You Can See Your Veneers Are Plain Worn Out

Here are some visible signs that you need to plan on getting new veneers:

• Brushing no longer removes stains. Certain foods and beverages can stain your veneers just like they stain your teeth. Items like red wine, coffee, cola, and acidic foods each have potential to cause discoloration. Stains on veneers can only be removed with thorough brushing. When that does not work anymore, your veneers likely need to be replaced.
• Veneer shows chips, cracks, or excessive wear. Even though porcelain veneers are durable, they can wear out or break if you are not careful with them. Veneers become rough around the edges when they are worn down – you’ll be able to feel it when you run your tongue over them.
• Veneer appears to be darkening. While this may seem to be the case, the issue is really that the dental cement is naturally darkening and has become visible from inside the veneer. Because there is no way to lighten the cement’s color, both the veneer and cement must be removed in favor of a new application. 

If Your Veneers Won’t Stay Put, They Must Go

These are examples of reasons your veneers are not remaining secure and thus need to be replaced:

• Your veneers were not applied properly. It is crucial that a strong dental bonding agent is used during application. There is at least a chance the dentist who did the original application may have made a mistake that caused them to fall off.
• There is separation between the veneers and your gums. Poor dental hygiene can cause gum disease, which could create a gap between your veneers and gums.
• A tooth your veneers need for support has been compromised. It will not matter how durable your veneers are if one or more teeth underneath them is decayed. If this happens, the veneer will begin to separate from the tooth.
• You need a resized set of veneers. If the dentist who installed your veneers did not measure your mouth, or measured incorrectly, chances are they do not fit properly and can be painful to wear.

While veneers can certainly be a long-term solution for your smile, at some point evidence could mount that it is time for them to be replaced. It is key for you to take note of the warning signs, but if you are unsure then a consultation with your dentist can confirm if it’s time to start fresh.

About the Practice

Our team at Sommers Family Dentistry is committed to a tradition of dental care excellence since 1952 when the late Dr. Joseph Geoghan founded the practice in Norwalk and was later joined by Dr. Charles Sommers in 1968. Today, Dr. Norman Sommers and Dr. Adam Sommers strive to provide a compassionate chairside manner with state-of-the-art technology. They believe patients should enjoy comfortable, precision dentistry on the path to oral health. To schedule an appointment for porcelain veneers or one of the many other services they provide, visit our website or call (419) 668-3606.