When you imagine problems with veneers, you likely picture issues like stains, chips, and similar damage. The idea that these shells could come off your teeth may not have occurred to you. Still, think again; a veneer actually can fall from a tooth sometimes. You’ll need to respond properly if that ever happens, so your Austin dentist is here with some guidance. Keep reading to learn what you should do when your veneer falls off.
1. Find & Collect the Veneer
For starters, don’t immediately focus on your now-exposed tooth. Find and collect the fallen veneer, as doing so can preserve treatment results.
If you do find the shell, put it in a clean and sealable container. (Even storing broken pieces would be helpful.) A local dentist could potentially reattach the veneer, thus ensuring your tooth stays pretty. That said, whether reattachment is possible will depend on the porcelain’s condition and damage.
2. Contact Your Dentist
You should contact your dentist once you’ve found the veneer. At that point, booking the earliest appointment possible is crucial.
When you call the dentist about your veneer, remember to explain things in detail. The more information the dental practice has, the more they can do to help your exposed tooth. Background knowledge also lets the dentist act more quickly, making treatment less time-consuming.
3. Wait for Care Carefully
After you’ve booked an appointment, be careful with your tooth while you wait. Upsetting the affected area before your treatment would just make things worse.
It’d be great if you could avoid hot and cold foods. Even if they’re tasty, such items would irritate your veneer-less tooth due to the latter’s lack of enamel. As for what to have instead, a good idea would be soft and mild stuff – yogurt, room-temperature soup, etc. Just make sure to ignore any rough sensation from the tooth while you eat.
4. Try Some Temporary Solutions
As necessary, rely on temporary solutions before your dental visit. These measures can make your wait for treatment more bearable.
A rather effective “solution” would be to use dental wax. By placing some on the exposed tooth, you’d shield yourself from oral sensitivity and rough enamel. All you have to do is find a good brand of wax from your local supermarket or pharmacy. Otherwise, you can order some dental wax from a vetted online retailer.
When your veneer falls off, please don’t panic. Just use the steps above so your tooth gets the best help possible.
About the Practice
Westlake Hills Dental Arts is based in Austin, TX. Led by Dr. Rebecca L. Long, our practice maintains a strong focus on effective, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry. We thus offer quality dental treatments like porcelain veneers, as well as dental crowns, dental bridges, and even tooth-colored fillings. Whatever goals you have for your smile, our team has the power to make it thrive. For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (512)-328-0155.