What Problems can Arise When Dental Veneers go Wrong?


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A Painful Procedure

Your teeth and gums should be numbed with an anaesthetic before your original teeth are filed back – however there can be tooth, gum and jaw pain immediately after the shaving procedure. It is normal for your veneers to be sensitive at first but this should die down within a few days – if the pain does not subside your dentist may provide aftercare consultations (this is something you can find out before hand). In particularly difficult cases this pain can last for weeks or even months after your veneers are fitted. Often this is due to the dental veneers being longer or larger than your original teeth, upsetting the mouth structure and displacing your bite. However well you research and however much you pay, the procedure can be painful but it is important to remember that there are lots of testimonies of positive accounts.

Reputable and responsible dentists should discuss with you before hand what shape and size you want your teeth to be and what the possible risks are. Painful problems are more likely to occur if you suffer from orthodontic issues such as grinding your teeth or an over-or-under bite. If you know that you have pre-existing problems with your teeth it is vitally important that you discuss them with your dentist before the procedure, as they may mean that dental veneers are not the right solution for you.


Dissatisfaction with the Appearance of your Teeth

Failure to communicate your exact wishes, or failure on the dentist’s part to understand what you are asking for, can lead to your dental veneers not looking how you expected. Aesthetic displeasure can be extremely upsetting, particularly if you have paid a considerable amount for your cosmetic procedure. Some common issues with the aesthetic result of dental veneers are veneers that are too long or large for the mouth or veneers that are the wrong shade (usually too dark) and do not match the original tooth colour. Both of these can lead to un-natural looking teeth. With some veneers the porcelain can be too thick, making the teeth stand out. To avoid this you could ask to see photographs of your dentist’s previous work, as the actual creation of the veneers is not a standard procedure and the thickness can vary from dentist to dentist.

Veneer Shifting

Veneers can shift from the position in which they were originally attached for two main reasons. The first is that the dental veneers were not cemented on correctly, which is the fault of the dentist who is applying them. If they are not properly attached veneers can move either side to side or they can move down the length of the tooth. This can create a dark line just below the gum – an effect that could be more attractive than your teeth before the veneers were fitted. This is one of the easier to correct problems with veneers, as the adhesion between the veneer and the tooth can be improved by removing, cleaning and reapplying the veneer.

Gum/Mouth Infection with Veneers

This applies particularly where the veneers fitted are larger than the original teeth. Where the veneer overhangs, at the sides of the tooth, there is space for particles of food to get trapped. This not only causes plaque but the bacteria from food deposits could initiate a gum infection. The symptoms of gum infections are not pleasant and include bad breath, soreness and gum swelling.

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