Can Porcelain Veneers Crack?
Yes, porcelain veneers can crack under certain circumstances.
This can be an alarming question, especially if you’ve spent hundreds of dollars on your beautiful new smile, only to discover they’re starting to chip and crack before your very eyes. Although, this scenario isn’t that common, and there are steps you can take to prevent or minimize the risk of your veneers cracking in the first place.
What are porcelain veneers
If you’re looking for dental solutions to cover up discolored, uneven or misshapen teeth, a set of porcelain veneers may be your answer. These thin shells are cemented over your existing teeth to transform their appearance. They can fix gaps, cracks and chips and make it look like you have a perfect smile with no effort on your part. And although porcelain veneers may sound intimidating, dentists these days use materials that are extremely durable, natural-looking and easy to take care of.
Is it true that veneers can crack?
Yes. While porcelain veneers are stronger than a regular filling, they can still crack if hit hard enough. If you’re not sure whether your veneer cracked or simply moved out of place, take a closer look. You may be able to see a line running along it that looks like a crack in ceramic tile or concrete.
Alternatively, you may feel rough edges on your veneer that weren’t there before and can no longer fit back into place when prodded gently with your tongue. You can also use pliers to move and wiggle your tooth; any movement is cause for concern and suggests that your veneer has cracked in half or become loose.
What Should I Do If My Veneer Has Broken?
If your veneer has broken, you have a few options. The first step is to make sure you are okay. If it is not bothering you or in an area that interferes with eating, talking, smiling and so on, then there is no rush to do anything immediately. But you still need to check with your dentist as soon as possible.
However, if it does bother you, ask your dentist about replacing or repairing it. Your dentist will remove any fragments of porcelain from your mouth and examine them. They will try to determine why the veneer broke in the first place.
How to get your veneer fixed
Typically, it’s easy to repair a chipped or cracked veneer. In some cases, your dentist may be able to fill in damage using composite resin (the stuff dentists use to fill cavities).
If that doesn’t work, it may be time for a full-on restoration. This includes removing and replacing your current veneer with a brand new one. Restoring teeth takes less time than creating porcelain veneers from scratch—and can give you a more natural-looking smile. The process also offers better chances of matching existing teeth color and shape than if you had gotten brand new veneers done.
Preventing broken veneers
While porcelain veneers are very strong, they can break if you don’t maintain them properly. Follow our dentist’s instructions closely to ensure that your new teeth stay in good shape.
If you need to floss or brush hard near your veneers, ask for recommendations on how to do so safely. It’s also a good idea to avoid chewing ice and hard food as these may crack or chip your veneer accidentally. Also if you grind teeth, sleeping with mouth guard on can be considered to reduce the chance of chipping your porcelain veneer.
When it comes time for dental checkups, keep your appointments; problems are much easier to fix before they worsen. Your dentist can even add new veneer layers if necessary and ensure that you get long-lasting teeth from start to finish.
