Signs for Substitution: 4 Indications That It’s Time to Replace Your Veneers

For about 15 years now, you’ve enjoyed your flawless veneers. Your smile looks amazing and has given you so much confidence! At this point, although you might not want to think about it quite yet, you need to be watching out for any signs that these thin, porcelain coverings need to be substituted with new ones. Otherwise, you can be left with the same problem you had before—an imperfect smile. What signs should you look for? How do you know it’s time to replace your veneers? Continue reading to find out!

Your Veneers Are Uncomfortable or Don’t Fit Properly.

As customized prosthetics, veneers are meant to fit your unique teeth, mouth, and bite perfectly. Ideally, your dentist and their lab will have worked out all the details so that the veneers feel and look natural, but they may require a little more work or a complete do-over to get it right. If you find that your veneers don’t seem to feel right, don’t hesitate to tell your dentist for adjustments or replacements.

Your Veneers Become Discolored.

The porcelain material used for veneers resists stains better than real tooth enamel, but it can still absorb color microscopically with time. After many years, the porcelain can turn yellow or brownish, indicating that your veneers have reached their lifespan and need to be replaced.

If you want your veneers to last as long as possible before becoming stained, you can avoid coffee, red wine, and many other deeply pigmented beverages and foods, but even with your best efforts, discoloration can eventually set in.

Your Veneers Chip, Crack, or Fall Off.

As durable as veneers are, they are not indestructible. Under immense pressure or force, they can break, especially the older they get. Because you got them to correct visible flaws in the first place, you probably want to resolve a chipped, cracked, or otherwise damaged veneer as fast as possible to get your perfect smile back.

Your Teeth Get Cavities.

Although the front veneer surface can’t form decay, the natural tooth structure it’s attached to can. If the teeth behind your veneers get cavities, the existing veneers will need to be removed to fully eradicate the decay. After your teeth are healthy again, your dentist can work on providing new, perfectly fitted veneers for your treated smile.

Ultimately, you may wish your veneers could last forever, but they need to be replaced to maintain your flawless appearance. Fortunately, the replacement process should go smoothly and quickly this time around because your teeth are already prepped for veneers! As a result, you can get your new veneers and carry on with confidence.

About the Author

Dr. David Fisher Jr. has practiced at the same dental office for more than 20 years so far. One of his first patients was a man who rarely smiled before because of his bad teeth. After treatment, this patient couldn’t stop smiling, and his personality shone through. Over the years, Dr. Fisher has had many other similar success stories! If you are interested in learning more about veneers, you may schedule a consultation with him online here or call our Greensboro office at 336-288-1242.