Porcelain Veneers Replacement - What to Expect

Porcelain veneers are durable, tooth-shaped fabrications that can be placed on the teeth to mask a range of cosmetic dental problems. They offer a beautiful and natural look, making them popular among dental patients. However, porcelain veneers do not last forever. Though they can last for 15 years or more with proper care, they will eventually need to be replaced. In this blog post, Dr. Roni Berbari and the team at Montreal Smiles discuss the reasons why porcelain veneers should be replaced, and the porcelain veneers replacement procedure. To learn more, contact our Montreal, QC practice today.

When Should My Veneers Be Replaced?

Your veneers should be replaced if:

• The veneer is loose or falls off. Over time, the cement that was used to bond the veneer to the tooth will wear. This can cause the veneer to become dislodged or completely fall off. In addition, repeatedly chewing on hard items, such as ice, pen caps, or your fingernails can put excess pressure on the veneers, gradually causing them to come loose.
• The veneer is discolored or has lost its luster. While dental porcelain is more resistant to staining than the natural teeth, they can become discolored over time. This discoloration may be accelerated if patients regularly consume dark-colored foods and beverages or fail to brush twice a day. Veneers can also gradually lose their shine if abrasive toothpaste or polish is used.
• There is a cavity in the underlying tooth. If a cavity develops, the veneer will need to be removed so the tooth can be cleaned and treated with a dental filling. Once the tooth has been restored, a new veneer can be placed.
• You dislike the results of your initial veneers treatment. If you underwent your primary treatment with an inexperienced veneers dentist, you may be unhappy with your results. You may feel that the veneers look too bulky or large for your face. In these cases, Dr. Berbari can design a new set of veneers, relying heavily on your input to create a look that suits your goals and complements your surrounding features.  He will also create a mock-up so you can see what your results will look like before the veneers are fabricated.

The Porcelain Veneers Replacement Procedure

When you come to our office for the porcelain veneers replacement procedure, Dr. Berbari will remove the veneers and any remaining dental cement. Once the teeth are clean, he will take impressions and design the new custom veneers. If you were satisfied with the appearance of your previous set, Dr. Berbari will keep the design specifications the same. If you would like to make improvements, those can be made during the design stage.

The impressions and design specs are sent to the dental lab, where the custom set of high quality veneers are fabricated. This process takes about two weeks. When the veneers are ready, you can return to our office to have them cemented in place.

To find out if it is time to have your porcelain veneers replaced, contact Montreal Smiles today.