Veneer Teeth: What Happens To Your Teeth Under Veneers?

If you are familiar with how veneers work, you should know that they are excellent choices for smile makeovers. One of the most common questions we receive at Dental Designs about veneers is what happens to teeth under porcelain veneers — will they rot, be ruined or suffer damage?

Well, here's the scoop!

The good news is when fitted properly by an experienced dentist, veneers will not harm your teeth and your teeth will stay strong and healthy — although that largely hinges on your oral hygiene.

What should I expect when getting dental veneers?

Veneers are designed to address common cosmetic issues such as discoloured, broken, gapped and misaligned teeth, which if unaddressed might cause dental issues in future. In order to effectively place veneers on your teeth, some of the tooth’s surface has to be partially removed as part of the tooth preparation process. Typically, about 0.5mm of the outermost layer (enamel) is shaved off.

At Dental Designs, we always prefer to take the most conservative option to achieve your aesthetic goals. Therefore, if your concerns are mostly about the colour of your teeth, teeth whitening alone might be sufficient to meet your goals. If you would like to improve the symmetry of your smile or change the shape of your teeth, dental veneers may be what you are looking for.

Once the tooth preparation for veneers is done, your custom-designed porcelain veneers are adhered to the tooth’s surface with a bonding cement. Patients do not have to worry about the adhesive material used to bond veneers to teeth as it is not harmful.

Do dental veneers compromise natural teeth?

Dental veneers, when done properly, do not compromise the health of your natural teeth. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind-

1. Tooth Preparation: Often, a small amount of enamel has to be removed from the front of your teeth to fit the veneers. This process is minimal but irreversible since enamel doesn't grow back.

2. Maintenance: Veneers require the same care as natural teeth, including regular brushing, flossing and dental check-ups. They’re durable but can chip or come loose if not properly maintained.

3. Longevity: Veneers can last many years but they may eventually need to be replaced. The longevity of veneers depends on the quality of the materials used, the skill of the dentist and how well you care for them.

4. Potential Risks: Poorly fitted or bonded veneers can increase the risk of decay or damage to the tooth underneath. It's important to have the procedure done by a skilled and experienced dentist.

Overall, veneers are a safe and effective way to enhance the appearance of your teeth when done correctly. Be sure to discuss the details with your dentist to understand the procedure and its impact on your dental health.

Related Articles

• Are Veneers Permanent? Understanding Their Longevity In 2024
• Do Veneers Ruin Your Teeth?

What steps can I take to prevent tooth decay under my veneers?

Maintain good oral hygiene: Practising good oral hygiene is imperative. Brush and floss at least twice everyday — many patients neglect to floss regularly but not doing so can actually cause decay to build up between the teeth. Once this happens, the decay attacks the natural tooth enamel at the ends of the veneer and causes a cavity.

As cavities under cosmetic restorations often go unnoticed, most patients do not realise they have one until they experience discomfort. At this stage, the cavity will threaten the long term health of your teeth and potentially shorten the lifespan of your veneer.

Regular dental check-ups: It is also recommended to see your dentist every six months for dental checkups and cleanings to ensure that your veneers are in healthy condition.

Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash: This helps to strengthen tooth enamel and protect against decay. 

Wear a mouth guard: If you grind your teeth at night, consider wearing a mouth guard to protect both your veneers and natural teeth.

If you are considering porcelain veneers to treat any physical and/or aesthetic issues with your teeth, our experienced dentists can help. To learn more about Dental Veneers, click here.

Any questions? Just ask us and we'll be glad to assist!

References

1. Beier, U. S., Kapferer, I., Burtscher, D., & Dumfahrt, H. (2012). Clinical performance of porcelain laminate veneers for up to 20 years. The International journal of prosthodontics, 25(1), 79–85.
2. Layton, D. M., & Clarke, M. (2013). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the survival of non-feldspathic porcelain veneers over 5 and 10 years. The International journal of prosthodontics, 26(2), 111–124. https://doi.org/10.11607/ijp.3202