One of the major risk factors for early failure of porcelain veneers is bruxism, or teeth clenching. Now, though, a new study shows that the use of an oral splint, a common form of TMJ treatment, can reduce the risk of early fracture of porcelain veneers.
Failure Rates for Bruxism and Functional Bite Patients
The porcelain veneer study, which was conducted in Italy, looked at 323 porcelain veneers placed on patients either with or without bruxism. 170 veneers were placed on 30 patients with bruxism, 15 of whom were being treated with an oral splint and 15 of whom weren’t. The remaining veneers were placed on 40 patients without bruxism.
There were a total of 42 porcelain veneer failures recorded, 13 fractures and 29 debondings. More than 70% of these failures, 8 of the fractures and 22 of the debondings, were in people with bruxism. It’s worth noting at this point that the researchers saw an abnormally large number of debondings. In most studies, debonding represents a trivial number of failures (usually less than 1%) so it’s possible there was some anomaly in their bonding technique or materials. It’s also possible that most studies don’t consider debonding a failure because the veneer can simply be replaced.
The majority of fractures (7 out of 8) in the bruxism group were in those who were not receiving treatment with an oral splint. This group had a fracture rate of 9%, compared to 1% for the group with a splint, and 3% for the group without bruxism.
Considering Veneers for Worn Teeth? See a Neuromuscular Dentist in Spokane
If you want porcelain veneers to restore front teeth that are worn, cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged, it’s important to see a neuromuscular dentist who can identify and treat possible bruxism. This condition that may be the cause of your initial tooth problems, will also simply lead to a higher fracture rate among your porcelain veneers.
To talk to a neuromuscular dentist about your smile, please contact Collins Dentistry & Aesthetics in Spokane or Spokane Valley today.
