My Veneer Broke or Fell Off — What Should I Do?

A veneer coming loose or chipping is stressful, but it is rarely a medical emergency and is almost always fixable. This guide walks you through the immediate steps, explains why it may have happened, and helps you understand your options.

Immediate Steps

1. Retrieve the veneer — if it has come off in one piece, place it in a clean container. Do not wrap it in tissue (easy to throw away accidentally).
2. Do not try to glue it back — household adhesives (superglue, nail glue) can damage the porcelain surface and the underlying tooth, making professional re-bonding harder.
3. Avoid chewing on that side — the exposed tooth may be sensitive and more vulnerable to damage.
4. Manage sensitivity — if the tooth is sensitive to air or temperature, a small amount of sensitive toothpaste applied directly can provide temporary relief.
5. Contact your dentist — call or message your clinic as soon as possible. Most practices offer same-day or next-day emergency appointments for debonded restorations.

Common Causes

Understanding why a veneer failed helps prevent it happening again:

• Grinding or clenching (bruxism) — the most common cause of veneer damage. Repetitive lateral forces weaken the bond over time.
• Trauma — a direct impact to the mouth from a fall, sport, or accident.
• Biting hard objects — ice, popcorn kernels, pen caps, or using teeth as tools.
• Bond failure — can occur if the original preparation exposed too much dentine (porcelain bonds more reliably to enamel).
• Decay at the margin — if decay develops at the edge of the veneer, it can undermine the seal and weaken the bond.
• Age — after 15–20+ years, the adhesive cement can gradually degrade. This is normal wear rather than a defect.

Re-Cement vs Replace

When re-cementing is possible

If the veneer has debonded intact — no cracks, chips, or fractures — and the underlying tooth is healthy, your dentist can clean both surfaces and bond it back with fresh light-cured resin cement. This is a straightforward procedure, typically completed in a single 20–30 minute appointment.

When replacement is needed

If the veneer is fractured, significantly chipped, or the underlying tooth has changed (decay, further wear), a new veneer will need to be fabricated. Your dentist will take a new digital scan, place a temporary to protect the tooth, and the replacement is usually ready within one to three weeks. The material and shade are matched to your existing veneers.

Minor chip repair

Small chips on an otherwise bonded veneer can sometimes be polished smooth or repaired with composite resin. This is the quickest and least costly fix, though composite will not match porcelain's longevity or stain resistance perfectly.

Preventing Recurrence

• Wear a night guard — essential if you clench or grind. A custom guard distributes forces away from the porcelain.
• Avoid hard foods — ice, boiled sweets, and crusty bread put unnecessary stress on veneers.
• Don't use teeth as tools — opening bottles or tearing packaging risks fractures.
• Maintain oral hygiene — brushing, flossing, and regular hygiene appointments protect the margins from decay.
• Attend check-ups — your dentist can spot early signs of weakening bonds or bite changes before they cause failure.

For daily maintenance advice, see our full veneers aftercare guide. For lifespan expectations, see how long do veneers last.

Warranty & Aftercare

If your veneers were placed by a Fix My Smile partner dentist, contact us and we will connect you with your treating clinic to arrange assessment and any warranty claim. Key points to understand:

• Warranty terms vary by clinic — always keep your written warranty document.
• Manufacturing defects and debonding under normal use are generally covered.
• Damage from trauma, grinding without a night guard, or neglected hygiene is typically excluded.
• Regular check-ups are usually required to keep the warranty valid.
• If your veneers were done abroad, a UK dentist can still help — but enforcing an overseas warranty is often impractical.

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Frequently Asked Questions