Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you—so if you’re hoping to enhance yours with cosmetic dentistry, one of the best options at your disposal is porcelain veneers. Many patients have turned to them due to their remarkable results coupled with their outstanding longevity. That said, you should know that for veneers to work as intended, a small amount of enamel needs to be removed beforehand. Here’s more about why this is necessary and how it ultimately ensures the success of your treatment!
What’s The Purpose of Removing Enamel for Veneers?
Veneers are thin sheets of dental porcelain that are bonded to the outer surfaces of teeth that need treatment. They can be used to deal with all kinds of minor aesthetic issues such as chipped or cracked teeth, staining and discoloration, gaps between teeth, and more—but in order to do this, a small layer of the enamel needs to be removed from the affected teeth.
There is an important reason for this; it helps your veneers to lay flush against your natural teeth and mimic them perfectly; if they were simply placed without any prep work, they would still appear bulky and unnatural. This also ensures a stronger, lasting bond once the veneers have been planted.
How Much Enamel Is Generally Removed?
It might sound scary to hear that a little enamel will need to be removed for you to receive veneers. However, you need to remember that your dentist will always take a conservative approach and only remove what’s necessary, which is usually around half a millimeter (roughly the thickness of your fingernail).
After your teeth have been prepped, the rest of the process is relatively straightforward; impressions are taken of your mouth and then used in the construction of your veneers. You’ll also be given temporary veneers to wear in order to protect your treated teeth while your permanent veneers are being made. These also serve as a “test drive” for your new smile. Once your permanent solutions are finished, when bonded, you’ll enjoy all of their awesome benefits for many years to come.
Porcelain veneers will completely change your smile and life—and having a small amount of enamel removed to ensure their beauty and effectiveness is a considerably small price to pay for everything they can offer.
About the Practice
Summit Family Dentistry is honored to serve patients and families in the Waterford, PA area under the leadership of Dr. Dinesh Patel. His practice offers a wide range of preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental services including options like veneers! If you have any questions about veneers or would like to schedule a visit for you or a loved one, feel free to contact Summit Family Dentistry through their website or over the phone for further assistance: (814) 529-7257.