A veneer covers the front of a tooth. It does not replace it. The natural tooth underneath still has a nerve, still has margins where the veneer meets enamel, and still sits in gum tissue that can become inflamed. Almost everything that goes wrong with veneers happens at that interface rather than to the veneer itself.
Which is good news, because the interface is what daily care protects.
The daily routine
- Brush twice a day with a soft brush and fluoride toothpaste. Pay particular attention to the margin where the veneer meets the tooth at the gum line. This is where decay starts if it starts anywhere.
- Avoid abrasive and whitening toothpastes. Charcoal pastes and heavily abrasive whitening formulations dull the glaze on porcelain and scratch composite. A standard fluoride toothpaste is what you want.
- Clean between the teeth daily. Floss carefully at the margins. If floss consistently shreds in one spot, that is worth reporting rather than working around, because it usually means a rough or overhanging edge.
- Keep up your regular check-ups. Margins, gum health and the fit of each veneer are checked at every visit, and problems caught early are usually minor.
What actually breaks veneers
Almost always force, and almost always force the veneer was not designed to take.
- Grinding and clenching. The single largest cause of veneer failure. If you grind, a night splint is not an optional accessory, it is part of the treatment. See teeth grinding and occlusal splints.
- Using teeth as tools. Opening packaging, biting thread, holding pins, tearing tape. Front teeth are the ones with the veneers and the ones people use for this.
- Nail biting, pen chewing and ice. Repetitive small loads at the incisal edge, which is the thinnest and most vulnerable part of a veneer.
- Biting directly into very hard food. Crusty bread, apples, corn on the cob, hard nuts, bones and stone fruit. Cutting food into pieces and chewing on the back teeth solves this entirely.
- Contact sport without a mouthguard. A custom mouthguard is worth the cost against the price of replacing several veneers.
Staining and colour
Glazed porcelain resists staining well. Composite is porous and will gradually pick up colour from coffee, tea, red wine, curry and tobacco. Rinsing with water after staining drinks helps, as does using a straw for iced coffee and similar. Composite veneers can be repolished at a regular visit, which restores much of the original appearance.
Note that neither material responds to whitening, so if the natural teeth alongside them lighten over time, or you whiten them, a mismatch appears. This is why whitening is done before veneers are made. The reasoning is in why whitening does not change crowns and veneers.
The gums matter as much as the veneers
Veneer margins usually sit at or just below the gum line. Inflamed gums recede, and a receding gum exposes the margin, which becomes visible as a dark line and creates a plaque trap. Consistent cleaning between the teeth is what prevents that sequence. Bleeding gums are the early warning, covered in why gums bleed and when to act.
When to call the practice
- A veneer has chipped, cracked or come off. Keep the piece and bring it. A debonded porcelain veneer that is intact can sometimes be re-bonded.
- A veneer feels rough, catches the tongue or snags floss.
- The tooth underneath becomes sensitive, particularly to cold, or tender to bite on.
- A dark line has appeared at the gum margin.
- Anything feels different in your bite.
Do not attempt to glue a veneer back on with household adhesive. It contaminates the bonding surfaces and can turn a re-bond into a remake.
Realistic expectations
Veneers are a long-term restoration rather than a lifetime one. Porcelain is more durable than composite and generally serves longer before replacement, but both will need attention eventually. How long depends on grinding, bite, gum health, cleaning and habits, which is why no specific lifespan can be promised for an individual case. What is within your control is most of the list above.
Repairs and replacement costs
Composite veneers can often be repaired or repolished directly. Porcelain veneers that chip usually need to be remade, as ceramic cannot be patched reliably. At Civic Gentle Dental Care, handcrafted porcelain veneers start from $1,490 per tooth and composite veneers start from $700. A custom occlusal splint, which protects the investment if you grind, starts from $770. Current fees are on our price list, with more detail on porcelain veneers and composite veneers.
Common questions
Can I still get decay with veneers?
Yes. The natural tooth under and around the veneer can decay, particularly at the margins. Daily cleaning and regular examinations are what prevent it.
Can I use an electric toothbrush?
Yes, and a model with a pressure sensor is helpful. Use a soft head and let the brush do the work rather than pressing.
Can veneers be removed?
Porcelain veneers usually involve some enamel removal, so the tooth will need a veneer or crown from then on. Minimal-preparation composite veneers can sometimes be removed with the tooth returning close to its original state.
Do I need to avoid coffee entirely?
No. Rinse with water afterwards, and for composite veneers expect to have them repolished periodically at your regular visits.
Booking an appointment in Canberra City
Civic Gentle Dental Care is a dentist in Canberra at Suite 8, Level 3/161 London Circuit, Canberra City, a short walk from the Canberra Centre. To arrange an appointment, call (02) 6247 0224 or send us a message through our contact page.
This article is general information only and is not a substitute for individual dental advice. Whether a treatment is suitable for you, and what it will involve, can only be determined after an examination by a dentist. Any prices mentioned are estimates drawn from our current price guide and are not a quote.