Do Veneers Rot Your Teeth? Facts on Veneer Decay, Damage and Tooth Safety

What are Dental Veneers?

Dental veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin that are custom-made to cover the front surface of teeth. They are an option for improving the appearance of teeth that are discolored, chipped, misshapen or have gaps.

Why Get Veneers?

Reasons people commonly get veneers include:

• Fixing chips or cracks in teeth
• Closing gaps between teeth
• Reshaping irregular teeth
• Whitening discolored or stained teeth
• Covering imperfections like tetracycline stains

Veneers provide an aesthetic solution that can quickly improve the look of your smile. Unlike crowns, they don't require removing much of the tooth structure underneath.

The Veneer Procedure

Getting veneers is a multi-step process involving:

1. Preparation appointment
2. Impressions and temporary veneers
3. Custom veneer fabrication
4. Bonding appointment

After numbing the tooth, a small amount of enamel is removed to accommodate the veneer's thickness. Impressions are taken and temporary veneers placed. Permanent veneers are then created and bonded onto the teeth at a follow-up visit.

Do Veneers Rot Your Teeth?

With proper oral hygiene, dental veneers should not rot or damage the natural teeth underneath. However, veneers do require special care to keep teeth and gums healthy.

Can Decay Happen Under Veneers?

Tooth decay can happen under veneers if plaque is allowed to build up. With poor brushing and flossing, cavities can form like they would on any other teeth. Bacteria create acid that eats away at enamel. Some factors that can lead to decay under veneers include:

• Inadequate oral hygiene
• Eating sugary and acidic foods
• Cracked or leaking veneers
• Grinding or clenching teeth
• Missing dental visits

If a veneer cracks or falls off, the underlying tooth is vulnerable to erosion and cavities. Staying on top of brushing, flossing, diet and dental checkups helps prevent decay related to veneers.

Do Veneers Damage Teeth?

Veneers are not expected to damage healthy teeth with proper placement and care. However, complications that could harm teeth include:

• Too much tooth reduction - Excessive grinding can weaken structure.
• Bonding issues - If bonding is weak, veneers can fall off and teeth shift.
• Bruxism - Clenching and grinding can crack veneers and teeth.
• Permanent nerve damage - In rare cases, nerves may be permanently irritated.

A skilled dentist avoids nerve damage during preparation. Well-made veneers with proper bonding shouldn't directly harm teeth. But issues like cracking and grinding can cause indirect damage over time if left unchecked.

Caring for Teeth with Veneers

Veneers must be properly maintained to prevent decay and preserve your natural teeth. Recommended care includes:

Oral Hygiene

• Brush gently 2x daily using non-abrasive toothpaste.
• Floss once daily, taking care not to snap the floss on veneers.
• Avoid hard picks or objects that could scratch veneers.
• Use mouthwash to reduce bacteria and plaque.
• Schedule professional cleanings every 6 months.

Watching Diet

• Avoid sugary and acidic foods/drinks that can erode enamel.
• Stay hydrated with water throughout the day.
• Limit snacking frequency to reduce acid attacks.

Preventing Damage

• Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
• Repair small cracks and chips early to avoid bigger issues.
• Be gentle on your teeth - avoid biting nails or hard objects.

With meticulous home care and professional maintenance, veneers can look beautiful without rotting or otherwise harming teeth for 10-30 years.

Do Veneers Fall Off or Come Loose?

Veneers are meant to last many years, but may come loose or fall out prematurely in some cases. Reasons include:

• Improper bonding - Weak dental cement can cause early failure.
• Grinding - Nighttime bruxism can gradually loosen veneers.
• Trauma - Hits or blows to the mouth can crack or dislodge veneers.
• Tooth decay - Decay under veneers can destabilize them.
• Excessive habits - Biting hard objects or nails, teeth picking.

Well-made veneers should adhere for at least 10 years. See your dentist promptly if a veneer feels loose, looks damaged or falls out. Leaving exposed teeth unprotected can lead to further decay and problems.

Replacing Loose Veneers

If a veneer comes off early, replacement options include:

• Temporarily re-bonding the original veneer.
• Making a new veneer from new impressions.
• Converting to a dental crown for a longer-term restoration.

As long as the underlying tooth remains healthy and undamaged, a replacement veneer can restore your smile. But chronically loose veneers may mean its time for a more permanent solution.

Can You Get Rid of Veneers Without Damaging Teeth?

Veneers are not meant to be permanent, and they can be removed without harming healthy teeth in most cases. Options include:

Removing Only

To conservatively take off veneers:

• The dentist drills away bonding material.
• Veneers can be popped off intact with dental tools.
• Teeth are cleaned and polished but otherwise unchanged.

Replacing with New Veneers

If you want to re-do veneers:

• Old veneers are removed.
• New impressions are taken.
• New, redesigned veneers are bonded on.

Changing to Dental Crowns

For a permanent restoration:

• Veneers are taken off.
• Underlying teeth are prepared for crowns.
• Permanent dental crowns are placed.

With a skilled dentist, even decades-old veneers can usually be removed and teeth restored to function normally. There is minimal risk of damage with proper technique.

Do Teeth Keep Rotting After Veneers?

With good home care and maintenance, teeth should not rot under veneers any more than regular teeth. However, without proper precautions, existing decay can continue progression:

• Any untreated cavities or tooth decay are still present after getting veneers.
• Veneers will not stop existing decay from worsening over time.
• Areas not properly cleaned and sealed are prone to acid and bacteria eroding enamel.
• Cracks in veneers expose vulnerable tooth structure to decay.

New veneers only protect the front surface of teeth. Any issues around the edges or with roots can lead to continued rotting. Ongoing dental visits and prevention are essential even after veneers are placed.

Signs of Tooth Decay Under Veneers

Be on the lookout for these signs of cavities forming under veneers:

• Tooth sensitivity - Especially to cold foods/drinks.
• Toothache - Spontaneous pain indicating inner decay.
• Bad breath - Rotting food causes foul odors.
• Gum inflammation - Red, swollen or receding gums.
• Darkened gums - Decay causes discolored gums at the base of teeth.
• Chipped veneers - Cracked porcelain exposing weakened enamel.
• Loose veneers - Decay compromises bonding strength.

Schedule an exam immediately if you notice any concerning symptoms. The sooner decay is caught, the better the chance of saving your tooth underneath.

Options for Treating Cavities Under Veneers

If decay is found under a veneer, treatments include:

Replacing the Veneer

• Remove failing veneer
• Treat and fill the cavity
• Make an impression for a new veneer
• Bond new veneer that seals out bacteria

No-Prep Veneers

• Place thin veneers over existing ones
• Less removal of natural tooth
• More affordable than redoing whole veneer

Dental Crown

• Extract decayed veneer
• Significant tooth reduction
• Cover with a durable crown for protection

The best option depends on the extent of decay and your budget. But addressing cavities promptly preserves both your veneered smile and the tooth itself.

Can Veneers Be Done Repeatedly?

Veneers typically last 10-30 years before needing replacement. Multiple rounds of veneers are possible over a lifetime if teeth are properly cared for. Considerations include:

• Tooth enamel gets thinner with each veneer placement.
• Excessive grinding can eventually prevent veneers.
• Gum recession may mean shorter veneers or grafting needed.
• Costs increase with each set of veneers.

As long as a small enamel layer remains after removing old veneers, new ones can be placed. But multiple veneer cycles do take a cumulative toll on teeth.

When to Consider Alternatives

Some signs its time to consider alternatives like crowns or implants:

• 3+ sets of replacement veneers
• Little enamel remaining on teeth
• Frequent cracking or loss of bonding
• Veneers constantly needing repairs
• Gum disease or severe recession

For patients prone to grinding or dental damage, more durable solutions like crowns or dental implants can be more cost-effective long-term.

Caring for Teeth After Multiple Veneers

Protecting your natural teeth becomes increasingly important after multiple rounds of veneers. Recommendations include:

• Using soft bristled toothbrushes - And gentle brushing motions along the gumline.
• Visiting the dentist twice annually - For exams and professional cleanings.
• Managing clenching and grinding - With a night guard to minimize veneer cracking.
• Repairing small chips early - Before they grow into big cracks.
• Avoiding chewing on hard items - Including ice, nuts, bones and hard candy.

Be meticulous about dental hygiene and minimal tooth stress between veneering. This helps preserve thin enamel and avoid more intensive treatments.

Do Veneers Eventually Need Replacing with Crowns?

While not every case requires eventual replacement with crowns, some situations where crowns become necessary after multiple veneers include:

• Excessive tooth structure removed from multiple veneer procedures.
• Enamel too thin to support more veneering.
• Teeth developing fractures or cracks under veneers.
• Gum disease starting to impact veneer bonding.
• Persistent grinding or biting habits cracking veneers.

For teeth too structurally compromised for veneers, crowns offer a more permanent restorative solution. The porcelain covers the entire tooth for maximum protection.

The Crown Placement Process

Transitioning to crowns from veneers involves:

• Removing existing veneer with grinding
• Shaping and hollowing out the entire tooth
• Placing a temporary crown
• Getting permanent crown fabricated
• Cementing custom crown on the prepared tooth

Crowns require more tooth removal but provide lasting strength and function for damaged teeth.

Do Veneers Ruin Your Teeth?

When done properly and cared for correctly, veneers should not ruin or damage teeth. However, potential downsides include:

• Tooth structure is permanently altered
• Further veneering becomes harder
• Costly and difficult to reverse or remove
• Can mask underlying decay and damage
• May need eventual replacement with crowns

Veneers are not a risk-free option. But they offer many years of improved smile aesthetics for most patients. Working with an experienced dentist minimizes the chances of long-term tooth damage.

Pros and Cons of Dental Veneers

Veneers have advantages but also disadvantages to consider:

Pros

• Improve smile aesthetics
• Hide flaws quickly
• Preserve more natural tooth
• Long-lasting with good care
• Mimic real tooth shine and texture

Cons

• Tooth reduction required
• Costly procedure
• Meticulous home care needed
• Can fail or fall off
• May turn teeth yellow over time

For patients wanting a youthful smile, veneers can greatly improve appearance. But maintaining veneered teeth requires diligence.

Conclusion

Dental veneers don't inherently damage or ruin teeth with proper placement and care. However, decay and veneer failure will likely occur without adequate oral hygiene and dental visits. While not indestructible,

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.