Second Opinion: Veneers
Veneers can be beautiful for decades. When they are not, the cause is usually at the edges, in the gums or in the bite. This chapter sets out what goes wrong, and when replacing them needs more than one specialist.
Which one of these is it?
One veneer or twenty. Choose what you are noticing.
My gums are red, swollen or receding
Poorly fitting margins, excess cement, overhanging or rough edges, or veneers placed too deep into the gum (biological width invasion) all irritate the gum. The result is inflammation and, over time, recession.
Worth a look. Gum problems around veneers do not settle on their own.
Should I do veneers, or shouldn't I?
Veneers are one answer among several. Some smiles are better served by whitening, bonding or orthodontics first; some by fewer veneers than proposed; some by veneers after the gums are corrected. A second opinion before you start sets out the options, including the conservative ones.
When veneers have to be replaced.
These are all reasons why veneers may not work and need to be replaced. Often, when veneers come off, it takes a combination of specialists: the gums are corrected and made healthy again first, and then the veneers are replaced, sometimes with a different type of restoration.
It may be worth seeing a prosthodontist to decide the right course of action, to get you back on track and put the dental treatment behind you.
If something is not right, ask.
Dentistry is always challenging, and most dentists do the best they can. Some things are part of settling in and are fixed with small tweaks. If something is worryingly off, if you want reassurance that you are on the right path, or if you want to change provider, Dr. Reshad is here for that.
See a prosthodontist. Contact us to get your second opinion.
Frequently Asked Questions
The usual causes are at the edge of the veneer: a margin that does not fit, excess cement left under the gum, an overhang, a rough edge, or a veneer placed too deep into the gum. Each traps plaque or irritates the tissue. They do not settle on their own and are worth a second opinion.
A veneer that comes off once can sometimes be re-bonded. Veneers that keep coming off usually point to the surface they were bonded to or to the bite, and re-bonding without fixing the cause tends to fail again.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Mamaly Reshad, BDS (Lond), MSc (Lond), Cert Pros (USC), Prosthodontist — Last reviewed July 2026
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