Although it would be nice, porcelain veneers don’t last forever. On average, veneers can last up to 20 years before they need a replacement. In some cases, people might need replacement veneers much sooner due to having poor quality veneers placed initially.
If you’re not sure if it’s time to replace your veneers yet, we encourage you to look for some of the signs.
1. They’re Changing Colors
One of the first signs you need new veneers is if your veneers are changing colors. For instance, over time, they might omit a darker hue. Although you might think the darker hue is your veneers, it’s actually the cement that holds your veneers in place that has changed color. Over time, the cement will naturally become a darker color. The darker cement will show through the veneer and therefore make your teeth look darker.
2. They Have Stains
Although veneers today are made of porcelain which is a stain-resistant material, it doesn’t mean that your teeth will look perfect all the time. Your veneers are still prone to scratches from daily wear and tear, or from using abrasive tooth cleaning products. Plaque and food particles can become trapped in these tiny scratches and cause your teeth to look discolored.
In addition, your teeth underneath the veneers can still stain. If they become stained, it may show through your veneers and make your overall teeth appearance look stained or discolored.
Unfortunately, teeth whitening won’t help your veneers. The only way to whiten their appearance is by keeping them clean and free of damage or replacing them entirely. If you’re unhappy with the color of your veneers, we encourage you to replace them.
3. The Veneers are Rough Around the Edges
Veneers aren’t protected from regular wear and tear just because they’re not natural teeth. Your veneers can experience the same damage which means it’s common for them to become rough around the edges and wear down. Once your veneers start to feel rough and look worn, you need to replace them.
4. There is Space Between the Veneers and Gums
Over time, gums can begin to recede and when that happens, there becomes a gap between the edge of the veneers and the gums. The gap might look discolored and throw off the appearance of your entire smile. The gap can also be a result of tooth decay. Regardless, you will need to replace your veneers if you want to hide this gap between your veneers and gums.
5. They’re Damaged
Just like veneers can experience wear and scratches, they can also experience damage including cracks and chips. There is no way to address visible damage to veneers without replacing the veneer entirely. If your dental veneers have any signs of damage, that is a strong indicator that you need to replace them.
6. The Underlying Tooth Has Decay
Although veneers cover the entire front surface of your teeth, the back is still at risk for decay. In addition, if the veneer wasn’t fitted tightly enough, bacteria might find their way between the tooth and the veneer. When teeth with veneers become decayed, it can cause the veneers to loosen and begin to detach themselves. To address the decay, we will need to remove the veneer first. After treating the decay, we can replace the veneer with a new one.
7. They’re Uncomfortable
Another major reason why you should replace your veneers is if they’re uncomfortable. One of the biggest problems we see with cheap veneers is that the dentist who placed them didn’t take the bite into consideration. If your veneers throw off your bite, it can cause a TMJ disorder which results in painful symptoms such as frequent headaches and migraines, jaw, back, and neck pain. Not to mention, eating can feel incredibly uncomfortable because your teeth don’t bite together correctly.
When you visit Rice Dentistry for dental veneers, your bite is one of our biggest concerns. As TMJ dentists, we ensure each treatment we provide helps patients achieve their optimal bite position. This allows us to help prevent and treat TMJ while providing beautiful results.
8. They’re Loose
If your porcelain veneer is loose, this might be a sign that the cement wasn’t placed well enough or your veneer doesn’t fit correctly. If possible, we will recement the veneer. But if the veneer has damage or doesn’t fit correctly, we will recommend brand new ones.
Get a Porcelain Veneers Replacement in Irvine, CA
If these 8 signs that you need new veneers helped you realize you need new porcelain veneers, our cosmetic dentists in Irvine at Rice Dentistry are here to help. We will evaluate your current veneers and create custom-made veneers to replace them with. Please contact our dental office at (949) 551-5902 to book an appointment today.
