Posted on: September 10, 2018

Millions of Americans and dental professionals turn to veneers to create a bright, white smile and cover broken, chipped or discolored teeth. While porcelain veneers have given confidence back to many patients at Cieplak Dental Excellence, they are susceptible to emergency just like your natural teeth. If you have a problem with a veneer, we want you to know how to handle it.

 Veneer Emergencies

Most emergencies related to veneers are caused when it is fractures in some form, such as cracking, breaking or chipping. Another problem with veneers is debonding, which occurs when the veneer pops off from the tooth but is still generally intact.

The first thing to do is determine if your veneer is still intact once it comes off. Very carefully remove any part of the veneer that is in your mouth without further damage. If it’s broken, you may need to have a new one made. If the piece you have is a good size, it may just be that bonding material failed and the restoration can be replaced by your dentist.

To determine if the veneer is intact or broken, look for the following things:

• The shiniest part of the surface should look just like a tooth
• Look for a rounded form that is close to symmetrical
• Check the tooth it came off and look for any broken segments that are still attached

If you do determine that the veneer is whole and can be reattached, get it to the dentist’s office as quickly as possible. Wrap the restoration up in a paper towel or toilet paper and place it in a hard plastic container that will protect it. A medicine bottle is a good example. If it’s broken, you can save the parts but there is little the dentist can do with them.

Give Us a Cal

Once you’ve preserved your veneer, it’s time to give us a call and let us know you need it fixed. Contact us as quickly as possible and we will make you an appointment with Dr. Cieplak in Oxon Hill, MD.