By Dr. Michael A. Kezian, DDS
The Ins and Outs of Dental Veneer Recementing
Los Angeles Dental Veneers face several threats. Something as simple as accidentally biting down on your fork, eating something sticky, or grinding your teeth while you sleep can damage your veneers.
And as soon as damage strikes, you’ve got to get into solution-mode.
Whether your veneer has fallen off, chipped, or cracked, you need to get the best cosmetic dentist in Los Angeles to assess the damage. Only then will you know how to fix the problem. If you’re lucky, all your Los Angeles dental veneer needs is some simple recementing.
“Recementing” means what it sounds like — your cosmetic dentist will take your existing veneer and re-adhere it to your tooth. This is the fastest solution because your dentist won’t have to take the time to order a brand-new porcelain dental veneer for you. And as an added benefit, it’s the most cost-effective solution.
Unfortunately, though, there are only certain circumstances where a dental veneer can be recemented. If your veneer is chipped or cracked, your cosmetic dentist will likely have no choice but to start over from scratch. However, if your dental veneer simply slipped off whole, it can probably be recemented.
What causes a dental veneer to fall off in the first place?
One of the most common culprits is the bonding adhesive that’s used to anchor it to the front of your tooth. Sometimes, bonding adhesive is faulty right from the start. As a result, you’ll have a relatively new veneer that slips off. If that’s your problem, a good Los Angeles cosmetic dentist can recement it back in place with bonding adhesive that works like it’s supposed to.
More commonly, though, porcelain dental veneers fall off because the bonding adhesive has reached the end of its lifespan. Even the best adhesive won’t last forever, so if it’s been years and years since your veneers were installed, that’s likely the problem. Luckily, though, a quick recement will prevent your dental veneer from sliding off again.
This is why it’s so important to have an ongoing relationship with your Los Angeles cosmetic dentist. During routine check-ups, an expert dentist will be able to spot symptoms that your bonding adhesive is starting to show its age — like if stains start to accumulate, or if tiny flecks of adhesive are start to come off.
But don’t immediately blame the bonding adhesive if your dental veneer falls off. Sometimes, the existing teeth are actually the culprit.
In order for your porcelain dental veneer to stay in place, it needs a strong tooth to hang onto. If your tooth is seriously decayed, it may not have the structure needed to anchor a veneer. However, just because your teeth were healthy when your veneers were installed doesn’t mean they’re still sturdy enough. If you’re not brushing and flossing properly, germs can wiggle past your dental veneers and into your teeth.
What does the recementing process actually entail?
An expert Los Angeles cosmetic dentist will start by prepping both your tooth and the veneer. Then, he’ll apply bonding adhesive to the inside of your veneer, place it over the front of your tooth, and cure the cement with a special light. By the time he’s done, your dental veneer will look and feel as good as new.
One final point — NEVER try to recement a dental veneer yourself! You don’t have the training or the tools that an expert Los Angeles cosmetic dentist has. Plus, there’s a good chance you’ll do serious damage to your tooth in the process!
Larchmont Dental Associates – 581 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 465-2127