Since My Veneers Don't Seem to Be Staying On, Are Crowns a Good, Permanent Alternative?

If you have ever had a porcelain veneer come off, it can be alarming.

In general, porcelain veneers should not be coming off, and certainly not every month.When you are having a problem like this the tendency is to want to do something more, in order to finally get your front teeth fixed and for them to stay on.

Before you have anything else done to your teeth, I suggest that you meet with a great cosmetic dentist. Let him know the troubles you've had and let him get a good look at your veneers and your bite.

Odds are good that he will have some suggestions about how to get this fixed permanently.

Not all veneers are the same. When they are done expertly, they are a reliable, long-lasting change that adds beauty to your smile!

If you have had problems with front teeth chipping in the past and now your veneers are falling off, there is a problem with the way your teeth fit together.  For some reason (can't tell without photos/exam) your front teeth are under alot of pressure and knocking off the veneers.  The crowns may well chip too if the bite is not addressed.  May be time for a consultation with someone with more experience in that area.

With all due respect to your current dentist, veneers should not be falling off monthly, no matter what issues you may have such a bad bite or night time grinding.  My best advice is to see a competent cosmetic dentist and have your situation evaluated as to what direction will resolve your situation.

If you are having constant issues with porcelain veneers falling off there is a very good chance that it has something to do with either the bonding that they are being put on with or the forces of your occlusion/bite and the movements you make when you are eating or at night when you are sleeping.  Crowns may stay on better if the bonding is an issue because crowns can be cemented on vs. bonded in, however, more often than not the problem is with your bite.  The fact that your teeth were chipping before the veneers were placed is a good indicator of this. 

 

My recommendation would be to get a second opinion.  Pay another dentist in your area that has experience in cosmetic dentistry and occlusion to examine your bite and evaluate the veneers.  Unfortunately not all dentists have as much experience with cosmetic dentistry and bite issues.

When veneers come off, it is a bonding issue or a bite issue.  The reason needs to be figured out first, as any restoration needs to be chosen based on the situation.  Sometimes veneers come off easily because of the preparation design, meaning redoing the veneers and changing the shape can often lead to better retention.

 

You didn't state, but are these porcelain veneers or composite?  Even if you opt for crowns, I would suggest bonding the crowns in and not cementing them, as the retention of a bonded crown is much better than a cemented one.