While veneers are a reliable option for enhancing the appearance of your smile, they may occasionally fall off your teeth due to old age, untreated decay, and other factors. If you end up losing a veneer, there’s no need to panic; as long as you remain calm, you can keep your smile safe while taking the appropriate steps to resolve the issue. Below is a brief overview of what you should do in the event that a veneer comes off.
Locate the Veneer and Any Pieces
As soon as you realize a veneer has fallen off, your top priority should be to find it as quickly as possible. If any pieces have broken off the restoration, try to locate those as well. Once you have recovered the veneer, you can gently rinse off any debris. After that, you should place it in a container in order to keep it safe.
Get In Touch with Your Dentist
Losing a veneer doesn’t put the tooth in immediate danger, but it does leave it more susceptible to damage and decay. As such, you should call your dentist right away to let them know your veneer fell off; they’ll set up an appointment for you so that the problem can be properly dealt with.
Keep Your Tooth Safe
Placing a veneer means removing a small amount of enamel. Consequently, if a veneer is lost, the tooth it previously covered will be more sensitive than normal. Thus, until you can see your dentist, you should stay away from significantly hot or cold foods, as they can potentially cause serious discomfort in the exposed tooth. To be extra safe, you should avoid biting or chewing with the affected tooth altogether; when eating, try to keep all food on the opposite side of your mouth.
Cover the Tooth with Wax If You Need To
The exposed tooth may feel somewhat rough against the soft tissues inside your mouth. If it’s bothering you, you can cover the tooth in question with a small amount of dental wax, which can often be bought over the counter at a pharmacy. Obviously, this is only a temporary solution, but it can help you stay comfortable until it’s time for your appointment.
Let Your Dentist Identify the Problem
During your appointment with your dentist, they’ll thoroughly examine your mouth to determine what caused the veneer to fall off in the first place. Then they’ll figure out what steps should be taken to address the problem. For example, if there’s a cavity, you will need to have it treated with a filling before a veneer can be placed again.
Have Your Veneer Reattached, Repaired, or Replaced
If the veneer seems to be in good condition, your dentist may be able to put it back on the tooth. Even if the restoration has been damaged, it may be possible to reuse it once it has been repaired. But if the veneer is beyond saving, it will need to be replaced altogether.
Having a veneer fall off is less than ideal, but it’s not the end of the world. By following the steps above, you can resolve the situation and protect your enhanced smile.
About the Practice
At Gramercy Dental Studio, our team is committed to helping patients in New York enjoy healthy, confident smiles. Led by Dr. Ira Newman, our team can help keep your teeth looking their best with expert cosmetic dentistry solutions, including veneers. If you’ve been thinking of enhancing the appearance of your teeth, visit our website or call (212) 924-6890 to schedule an appointment with our dental team today.