Question: What causes a veneer to come loose?
Explanation: A loose veneer indicates failure of the adhesive bond between the porcelain and the tooth. Causes include moisture contamination during bonding, bonding to dentine rather than enamel, excessive occlusal forces, grinding, or trauma. The veneer may lift at one edge or feel mobile. Bacteria and stain penetrate beneath, discolouring the margin. Do not attempt to reattach it yourself. A dentist can sometimes rebond a veneer if it is removed intact and the tooth surface remains sound. Often, however, remaking is required.
Related Questions:
Can a loose veneer be rebonded?
Sometimes. The veneer must be intact, the bonding surface is treated with hydrofluoric acid and silane, and the tooth surface must be clean enamel. Success is less predictable than the original bond. If the veneer detached because of grinding, the underlying cause must also be managed.
Why do veneers come off more than crowns?
Veneers rely entirely on adhesive bonding to a thin enamel layer, with minimal mechanical retention. Crowns encircle the tooth and gain retention from its geometry. Any compromise of the bond, such as bonding to dentine or contamination by saliva, therefore affects veneers disproportionately.
Will grinding ruin my veneers?
It is the leading cause of veneer failure. Nocturnal grinding applies repeated shear forces to the bonded interface and to the porcelain itself. A well-fitting night guard is essential for anyone with veneers and a grinding habit. Without one, failure is largely a matter of time.
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