Dental veneers have a success rate of over 91%, require no special care, and are becoming more popular than ever for people who want to restore their broken and damaged teeth.
Although your veneers may feel like a permanent part of your smile, they still experience wear and tear over time, and eventually, you’ll need to have new dental veneers placed. Sometimes the signs you need to replace your veneers can be subtle, so it’s essential to know what key signs to look for.
When you’re ready for new veneers, make sure you see a dentist who has extensive experience with placing dental veneers to achieve the perfect fit.
You’ll want to keep reading this guide to learn seven signs that tell you it’s time for new veneers!
1. You See Spaces Between the Veneers and Your Gums
Over time, your gums can begin to recede due to poor oral hygiene. This causes the veneers to separate from your gums, causing a gap. The gap may appear discolored and change the appearance of your smile, and it usually means you have gum disease.
Noticing a gap like this is a sign you need to see your dentist immediately to replace the veneers and work on improving your dental health to avoid further damage to the rest of your teeth.
2. You Notice Chips or Cracks
Though porcelain veneers are incredibly durable and typically last between 10 and 15 years, they can crack or chip just like your regular teeth do.
Usually, dental veneer damage is due to poor oral hygiene habits, teeth grinding, injuries from playing contact sports, or biting down on hard foods or ice. It also can be due to normal wear and tear if you’ve had your veneers for a long time.
Chipped veneers impact not only your smile but also your ability to eat. So, if you notice your veneers are damaged, talk to your dentist right away to have them fixed and also address any other oral health issues at the same time.
3. Your Veneers Appear Dark in Color
Veneers are attached to your teeth using a special type of dental cement, and over time this cement naturally becomes darker. Eventually, this cement will begin to show through the veneer, and your tooth will appear darker.
Unfortunately, once this discoloration occurs, there is no amount of brushing or flossing you can do to reverse it.
If you notice this happening to your veneers, you’ll need to start talking to your dentist as soon as possible about a new dental veneer procedure.
4. Your Veneers Have Stains
Though most veneers nowadays are made of porcelain which is a stain-resistant material, they’re still prone to daily wear and tear.
You can get small scratches on your veneers, and food particles and plaque can get trapped in these areas, which causes your teeth to appear discolored.
Also, food and drinks like red wine, colored sodas, and dark sauces can stain these small scratches and cracks. Eventually, this will cause your teeth to appear discolored, and you won’t be able to fix it on your own.
The porcelain can’t be whitened, so you’ll need to replace your veneers to brighten your smile once again.
5. Your Veneers Become Loose
The cement that seals your veneers wears down over the years, and you may start to notice that your veneers feel loose.
Loose veneers are usually due to not brushing and flossing daily and not seeing your dentist for regular checkups. Not keeping up with your oral health routine also means you might have underlying tooth decay, which causes the veneer to loosen and eventually fall off.
Sometimes it’s also due to other habits you’re not aware of, such as eating certain types of foods.
Your dentist can evaluate your veneers and talk with you about your oral health habits so that your next set of veneers will last even longer.
6. Your Veneers Feel Rough Around the Edges
When your veneers first start to wear down, you’ll typically notice this wear and tear begins along the edges of the veneer. You’ll find your veneers feel rough when you run your tongue over your teeth.
You’ll also notice changes in the way you chew your food, and your veneers might appear as if they’ve changed in shape. Sometimes the roughness around the edges becomes severe enough that it makes your veneers appear smaller in size.
It’s important to make an appointment right away to see your dentist as soon as you notice your veneers are looking worse for the wear.
7. Your Veneers Feel Uncomfortable
Your veneers should feel comfortable as if they’re your natural teeth. So, if you start experiencing discomfort, this is a huge red flag that you need to see your dentist right away.
This can be due to wear and tear you can’t see or problems with tooth decay that’s hidden under your veneers.
Not getting this fixed immediately can lead to problems with your bite and even cause jaw pain, neck pain, and headaches. You might also find eating to be uncomfortable and find yourself changing the foods you regularly eat.
Regardless of the cause, uncomfortable veneers mean it’s time for you to get a new set of veneers.
Talk to Your Dentist About New Dental Veneers Today
If you’re experiencing any of these signs, don’t delay getting new dental veneers. You’ll want to get your confident and healthy smile back as soon as possible.
If you’re looking for a new dentist for your veneer replacement, then Newbury Dental Group has just what you need. Our practice also offers general and cosmetic dentistry services, including root canals, crowns, bridges, implants, and emergency dental appointments.
We treat patients of all ages and are committed to giving you the highest quality dental care possible in a comfortable and friendly environment.
We look forward to hearing from you, so make sure you contact us today to schedule an appointment for your new veneers!