What should I do right away if my veneer comes off?
- Keep the piece in a clean container so you don't lose it.
- Don't glue it back at home with superglue or similar. It damages the tooth surface and makes it hard to remove later.
- Don't chew hard things with the exposed tooth, and avoid cold foods if it's sensitive.
- Come in within a few days. If left for a long time, the exposed surface gets contaminated and the tooth can shift slightly.
If it has broken, the remaining edge may be sharp and rub against your tongue or lips. Eat soft foods, don't bite things off with that tooth, and check that no broken pieces remain in your mouth. If the pain is severe or the tooth itself has broken, you should come in sooner.
When can it be rebonded, and when does it need to be redone?
| Point | Rebond | Make a new one |
|---|---|---|
| Condition of the piece | Intact with a clean surface | Cracked or broken |
| Times it has come off | First time | Repeatedly |
| Tooth surface | Enamel remains, no cavity | Cavity or crack present |
| Cause | Clear trauma | Bite, teeth grinding, or bonding problem |
The question “It broke — do I have to have my tooth drilled again?” often comes with it. If enamel remains and the tooth doesn't stick out, a new one can be placed without drilling. If the tooth has already been drilled a lot and there is no surface left to place it on, I go with a front tooth crown that covers the whole tooth.
Why do veneers come off or break?
| Current state | What to check first |
|---|---|
| Broken or came off | Whether one tooth makes contact first, whether the bonding surface is dentin |
| The edge is lifting or turning yellow | Whether water and bacteria have gotten into the gap |
| The gums have receded and the line is visible | The gums and alveolar bone |
| Repeatedly breaks in the same spot | The bite and teeth grinding |
I also look at habits. If you have habits like biting hard things or tearing open packaging with your front teeth, or clenching your teeth, a new porcelain piece will break in the same spot again. I don't just replace the porcelain and leave the cause. I summarized the overall process of removing and redoing veneers in Redoing porcelain veneers.
How is the color matched when making a new one?
I'm also often asked, “Since we're redoing it anyway, can you make it brighter?” The final color comes from the color of the tooth underneath, the thickness and translucency of the porcelain, and the color of the bonding cement together. I adjust the masking ability and translucency together so that the yellow underneath is hidden without becoming an opaque white, and I check in the mouth while switching between several cement colors. Even when redoing just one, I compare its brightness and translucency with the neighboring teeth. With front teeth, even small differences are noticeable.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
A wall that has been drilled once more doesn't come back, so I go slowly, starting with the removal. If a new one can be placed without drilling, I talk about Brinate (Basic 0.3mm same day, Build-up 0.1mm about 1 week, Platinum 0.1mm about 2 weeks), and if the tooth sticks out or there is a skeletal protruding mouth, I don't place a new one on top. If something can't be done, I say so.
Brinate is ₩330,000–₩990,000 per tooth (including VAT), a ceramic crown for a front tooth is ₩800,000, and if teeth grinding is the cause, a night guard is ₩500,000 (as of September 2026). All items are in the full fee list.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change to a brighter color than before?
Yes. If the color of the tooth underneath shows through a lot, I adjust the masking ability and translucency together. However, if it's too bright it stands out from the neighboring teeth, so I check under several kinds of light before choosing.
If I redo just one, will the color match the others?
It can be matched. With front teeth even small differences show, so I compare the brightness and translucency of the neighboring teeth and test the cement color too. If the neighboring porcelain is old and has changed color, it can sometimes look more natural to replace them together rather than match just one.
Is it okay to go to work with it off?
No major problem will happen right away, but the exposed surface may be sensitive or get stained. Bringing the piece and coming in as soon as possible improves the chances of rebonding it.
How long does a rebonded veneer last?
There is no set period. If the cause of it coming off was found and fixed, it can be used like the first time, but if it's rebonded with the cause left in place, it will come off in the same spot again. That's why, even on the day of rebonding, I look at the bite and habits as well.
