Veneers are an excellent way of correcting issues with your smile, such as cracks, chips, gaps between teeth, and minor alignment issues. Though they are incredibly durable and can last for upward of 15 years, there’s still a chance that one of your veneers may fall off. If this ever happens to you, follow these five steps to handle the situation until you can see your dentist.
#1: Keep Calm
Whether your veneer falls off when you’re at home or out with friends or family, losing a veneer is a cause for concern. If you don’t know what happened to the veneer, keep calm and look for it. If you find it, put it in a plastic sandwich bag for safekeeping. Your dentist will be able to find a replacement if you aren’t able to locate the missing veneer.
#2: Call Your Dentist
Once you’ve stored the veneer somewhere safe, contact your dentist. Explain the situation to them so they can walk you through what to do next. Your dentist will help you set up an appointment to have the veneer fixed. At that time, your dentist will determine why your veneer fell off in the first place. Even if the incident occurs outside of business hours, their office voicemail may offer instructions on what you should do in the meantime.
#3: Don’t Glue the Veneer Back on Yourself
It may be tempting to reattach the veneer yourself, but this will likely damage it. Additionally, using glue that isn’t approved by the ADA can have negative effects on your oral health.
#4: Be Cautious
While you wait for your dental appointment, be extra cautious when eating or drinking anything. Since a small amount of tooth enamel needs to be removed to attach veneers, you will likely experience some sensitivity. Limit or avoid overly hot and cold foods and beverages to lessen sensitivity until the tooth is repaired. Additionally, chew on the other side of your mouth to limit discomfort.
#5: Use a Temporary Solution
If the roughness of your tooth enamel or increased sensitivity is making you uncomfortable, use dental wax as a temporary fix. Apply a thin layer flat against the surface to create a barrier between the tooth and anything that’s been irritating it.
If your veneer falls off, don’t freak out. By following the above tips, you can protect the tooth from further harm until your dentist can reattach it and repair your smile!
About the Practice
Did you recently lose a veneer? Though this situation can be stressful, fear not! Dr. Ted Dunson II and his talented Denton team at Southridge Dental are here to help! They offer high-quality porcelain veneers to correct minor smile imperfections and can repair your pearly whites if one happens to fall off. To make an appointment with Southridge Dental or for more information on what to do if your veneer fell off, call (940) 566-4942 or visit their website.