Tooth with Veneer Has Hole at the Back of It After Piece Popped Off During Flossing. What's The Cause? I'm Worried. (photo)

Question

I got porcelain veneers for my two front teeth 2 months ago. I was flossing when a small white piece popped off the back of my veneered tooth. I had noticed a white cement like substance between my veneered and non-veneered tooth. But now there is a hole I don't understand how it was caused? Was it excess cement? I hope you can see it. I have included a picture it is the right tooth. I'm really worried.

Kathy Frazar, DDS, FAGD · Answer

The photo does not show the space you are feeling.  I would have the dentist who placed the veneers look to see if you chipped a piece away or if it was excess cement.  Cement is hard to see after the veneers are laced and it is not unusual to miss a small piece which we find at your cleaning appointment.

Ronald Konig DDS · Answer

I tried to enlarge the photo to see what you are referencing but could not see anything.  If the hole you mentioned is between the two teeth, then it could have been a piece of cement that was pushing the gums back in this area.  If this is the case, sometimes the gum will fill in.

	Have your dentist look at your concerns and see whats going on, hopefully, it was residual cement and not broken. However,if it is broken or chipped veneer it can be fixed or replaced.

Scott Greenhalgh, DDS · Answer

Porcelain veneers are bonded with cement that is clear or white. If a piece popped out a few days after the veneers were cemented, then it is probably just a piece of extra cement that was trapped under the gum or between the teeth.

	If this piece popped off more than a month later, it's possible that it's a piece of the porcelain itself. As the veneer meets the tooth edge, the veneer ultimately becomes paper thin. in some circumstances the tooth can flex and actually pop a small piece of porcelain off.

	Odds are whether it was cement or even a small bit of porcelain, that it is still a minor issue.

	A good cosmetic dentist will want you to have great results, so if you are still concerned about it, call your office, make an appointment and let him take a look at it. Even if it was porcelain, sometimes it can just be smoothed, or if necessary, that small section can be bonded. 

	It's too early to panic. Let your cosmetic dentist take a look and you should be fine!

Olga Kharevich, DMD, PhD (in memoriam) · Answer

The broken piece that you describe most likely is the small piece of bonding cement that is used for cementation of porcelain veneers. You should ask the dentist who delivered those veneers about this issue. Most likely it`s nothing to worry about.

Tooth with Veneer Has Hole at the Back of It After Piece Popped Off During Flossing. What's The Cause? I'm Worried. (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Cement between tooth and veneer

Answer: Cement between tooth and veneer

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Porcelain Veneers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Tooth with Veneer Has Hole at the Back of It After Piece Popped Off During Flossing. What's The Cause? I'm Worried. (photo)

Answers (4)

Answer: Cement between tooth and veneer

Answer: Cement between tooth and veneer

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Porcelain Veneers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.