As with all dental procedures, veneers/crowns may not be successful in every case as the presenting oral condition in each individual is unique. Please refer to the list of possible complications that include, but are not limited to:
- Adverse reactions to the anaesthesia, drugs, medications
- Reduction or roughening of tooth structure: In making preparation of teeth for the reception of porcelain veneers, it is necessary to slightly reduce or roughen the surface of the tooth to which the veneer(s) may be bonded. This preparation will be done as conservatively as possible. If the veneer covering breaks or comes off, the uncovered tooth may become more decay susceptible. The tooth may require replacement with another veneer or crown.
- Sensitivity: Some patients may feel soreness or sensitivity around the gums or teeth over the next couple days and may notice minor swelling, tenderness, sensitivity, joint pain or prolonged numbness from the anaesthesia. This is common and should settle over the next couple of days (the exact duration of these complications may differ between individuals). Please inform the clinic if such conditions persist.
- Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction may occur due to changes in the bite following your treatment. This can usually be corrected, but in very rare occasions may cause symptoms requiring extensive treatment. Soreness, swelling, bruising, and restricted mouth and/or damage to the jaw joints (TMJ).
- Roughness: After your dentist prepares your teeth and you are waiting for the fitting of the veneers/crowns the teeth will feel rough and strange due to the exposed and buffed surfaces.
- Loss/Breakage of Temporary Veneers: Temporary veneers are not as sturdy as permanent ones, and are not intended for long-term use. Thus they can be more prone to chipping or dislodgement. Please contact our dental office immediately for its timely replacement.
- Alteration in speech: Since the veneers may be wider and/or longer than the natural teeth they are covering, a difference in speech may be evident. Many times the patient will adapt to the change and speech returns to normal very shortly after placement. The veneers may need to be adjusted in order to alleviate problems with speech.
- Decay: As with any natural tooth, decay can occur. The natural tooth is still present beneath the veneer/crown which can decay due to poor diet or hygiene. If decay is left without timely treatment and is extensive, it can result in the loss of the prosthesis or tooth. There might be a need to redo restorations, carry out root canal therapy or in the worst case scenario, we might have to remove the tooth and plan to replace the space with other methods.
- Gum recession: Gum recession may occur due to aging or lifestyle habits and may affect aesthetics. With all procedures, there is possibility of gum infection or disease thereafter. The gums or soft tissues of the mouth may also be inflamed, swollen or painful/sore after the procedure.
- Colour change: Overtime, natural teeth that do not have veneers/crowns can change slightly in colour due to aging or lifestyle factors causing them to stain. This may warrant patients to consider bleaching the natural teeth in order to match the porcelain work which will remain a permanent shade.
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Wear, chipping, breaking, loosening of Final veneers due to chewing of hard materials; changes in occlusal (biting) forces; traumatic blows to the mouth; break down of the bonding agents; and other such conditions over which the dentist has no control over. Your dentist may recommend using a mouthguard to protect the veneer/crown when you grind your teeth in sleep or during sports.
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Esthetics and appearance: Every effort possible will be made to match and coordinate both the form and shade of veneers which will be placed in order to be cosmetically pleasing to the patient. However, there are some differences which may exist between the natural dentition and the materials which are artificial, making it impossible to have the shade and/or form perfectly match your natural dentition. Once veneers are bonded to place on the teeth, should the patient desire any changes later a fee may be assessed to cover any extensive adjustments or remakes.
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Longevity: it is impossible to place any specific time criteria on the length of time that veneers should last for. These time periods may vary from a very short time to a very long time depending upon many conditions existing from patient to patient, and/or upon each patient’s individual habits or circumstances, which may be either internal, external or both.
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Replacements in the Future: In preparing the teeth for the reception of cosmetic veneers/crowns, it may be necessary to reduce or roughen the surface of the tooth to which the veneer(s) may be bonded. This preparation will be done as conservatively as possible, but once this is done, the patient is committed to veneers or crowns for the duration of life.