If you’re about to get dental veneers, you have good reason to be excited. These ceramic layers will transform your smile’s looks in two dental visits! However, you may feel nervous about the treatment as well. After all, veneers require your dentist to remove some of your enamel — the protective layer that covers your teeth. You might wonder if the procedure will thus weaken your oral health. Well, your Virginia Beach dentist is here to put your worries to rest. Here’s how much enamel needs to be removed for veneers, including why the removal is necessary and safe.
Remind Me: How Does the Veneer Process Go?
Veneer treatment usually takes two appointments — a preparation visit and the final placement.
For the preparation visit, your dentist will remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth. They’ll then make a model of your mouth, which will be sent to a dental lab where permanent veneers are made.
During the final placement, some minor adjustments will be made. From there, your permanent veneers are attached to your teeth using special cement.
Why Do Veneers Need to Remove Enamel?
Veneers can only achieve lifelike results when the enamel is removed first. Otherwise, they’ll look bulky and “fake.” In other words, shaving bits of your teeth’s top layer creates space so the veneers look seamless and natural.
More importantly, removing some enamel helps the final veneers stay in place. In particular, it creates a surface where the ceramic layer can adhere. If your dentist didn’t get rid of some enamel bits, your veneers would eventually fall off.
How Much Enamel Do Veneers Remove?
Fortunately, dentists don’t take much from your teeth’s top layer. In most cases, veneers only require that they shave off 0.5 mm. Removing just this small part allows the ceramic to lay flat against its tooth and create a smooth, beautiful surface.
Also, your dentist wants to converse as much of your natural tooth structure as possible. Since enamel doesn’t grow back, they only want to remove its tiniest fraction. They’ll also ensure that the veneers compensate for the loss, as the prosthetics can protect sensitive teeth from harm.
Ultimately, enamel removal from veneer treatment won’t weaken your oral health. Not so long as you maintain proper dental care with your Virginia Beach dentist!
About the Author
Dr. Carol Morgan is a dentist based in Virginia Beach, VA, having earned her DDS from the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) School of Dentistry. Her specialties are preventive and cosmetic dentistry for families, as well as TMJ and sleep apnea therapies. She is also a member of the American Dental Association and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dr. Morgan currently practices at Hampton Roads Center for Cosmetic Dentistry and is reachable on her website and by phone at (757)-412-1400.