My dentist in Colorado placed porcelain veneers on my front teeth in 2017, but I’ve had problems with them since I got them. Now my new dentist wants to replace my veneers. Three of the eight veneers have fallen off in the past, but they still do not feel stable even though my previous dentist re-bonded them. The veneers are on eight upper front teeth, and the teeth are sensitive. I moved to Virginia this past January and found a new dentist. I went for a dental cleaning, x-rays, and exam three weeks ago and talked to the dentist about my uncomfortable veneers. I was surprised that the dentist recommended replacing the veneers with crowns because she can get better results with veneers. I understand what dentists do for crown and veneer tooth prep, so I choose veneers. Although my veneers are problematic, why would a dentist recommend crowns? Why not replace the faulty veneers with new ones? Thank you. Liya from Illinois

Liya,

Thank you for your question.

Although you are experiencing problems with your veneers, we recommend that you do not accept replacing them with dental crowns. As you understand, the aggressive tooth preparation is probably not necessary.

Why Do Porcelain Veneers Fall Off?

Porcelain veneers may fall off due to a dentist’s bonding technique, aggressive tooth preparation, or a patient’s teeth grinding.

• Aggressive tooth preparation – Skilled cosmetic dentists remove minimal amounts of tooth enamel. If a dentist removes too much enamel and bonds veneers to dentin (the layer beneath enamel), the weak bond can cause veneers to fall off.
• Bonding technique – Without advanced cosmetic dentistry training, a dentist may use faulty bonding techniques that result in unstable veneers.
• Teeth grinding – Clenching or grinding your teeth can loosen veneers. Cosmetic dentists recommend wearing a mouth guard while you sleep to reduce the impact of teeth grinding on your natural teeth and veneers.

Schedule a Cosmetic Dentistry Appointment

You mentioned tooth sensitivity and past issues with veneers falling off. A skilled cosmetic dentist will x-ray your teeth and perform a thorough exam to identify the cause of your concerns with veneers and recommend treatment.

Dr. Gilberto Tostado, a San Antonio, Texas, cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.