Veneers are one of the most common and highly desirable procedures, giving you a beautiful, whiter, and straighter smile without looking like fake teeth. Despite this, many patients who come to us at Golden Mile Dental want to know whether veneers can be removed in the first place. This blog will introduce veneers, the process of getting them done, the advantages and disadvantages, and what one can expect while considering removing them.
What Are Dental Veneers?
These thin shields, often made from porcelain or composite resin, will give you a natural-looking smile and correct imperfections like lightening teeth stains to a whiter color and correcting chips or breaks in your tooth enamel. Veneers are personalized to replicate a tooth’s natural color and form, giving an almost perfect finish. With this fact, resin veneers are the best solution for frequent tooth imperfections and can improve tooth aesthetics significantly. Veneers are custom-made to be directly bonded on the tooth, and since very little enamel has been removed, you find that having an even teeth bite is achieved with as natural-looking results as possible.
The Veneer Application Process
- Consultation: The first step is to schedule a consultation at Golden Mile Dental so our oral health experts can assess whether you are an ideal candidate for veneers.
- Preparation: A skinny enamel layer is eliminated from the front surface area to accept the veneers. This part is critical to giving you the most natural-looking fit.
- Impression: A mold of your teeth will be taken to make exact veneer matches in shape and size.
- Bonding: Once the veneers are ready, they can be bonded to your teeth using a powerful glue. A special light shines to cure the adhesive rapidly and lock the veneers into position.
Longevity of Veneers
Properly cared veneers can last as long as 10 to 15 years. This is because porcelain dental veneers are complex, like tooth enamel, and resist staining, so your shine will last longer. In contrast, composite veneers are often as beautiful but are usually less durable, so maintaining the same standard of aesthetics requires more maintenance than what is necessary for porcelain. By having routine dental check-ups and looking after them by practicing good oral hygiene habits and avoiding any actions that might damage them in any way, like teeth grinding, your veneers could last you a lifetime.
Can Veneers Be Removed?
Yes, veneers are technically something that can be taken out, but the question of whether or not to remove them depends on several factors. The enamel removed during the preparatory process cannot be restored, meaning the teeth will be permanently damaged if the veneers are removed without replacement. Replace them with new veneers or another restorative procedure option like dental crowns. Finally, it is also critical to examine the health of your natural teeth and advise you on what can be done or what needs repair after removing them. All of these factors should be thoroughly weighed in partnership with your dentist to determine the ideal for your oral health:
- Permanent Alteration of Enamel: The enamel removal stage in the preparation process is permanent. Once you remove the enamel, it cannot grow back. This means that when veneers are removed, teeth will be unprotected and more liable to damage.
- Replacement Necessity: If your veneers are removed, which can also be necessary for your natural teeth to breathe, you will most certainly need a replacement. You can have a new dental laminate or some other aesthetic restorative solution like dental crowns, maintaining the aesthetics of artificial beauty.
- Condition of Teeth Post-Removal: Teeth must be evaluated if a veneer is ever removed. This evaluation makes sure that no damage or decomposition is made by the garbage. This way, any required treatments can be scheduled.
Reasons for Veneer Removal
While veneers are a long-term solution, you might need to have them removed in some situations. For example, over time, damage or wear will cause the veneers to need replacement, and you will need to look good. Furthermore, if decay occurs around or underneath the veneer, it will require removal to treat the tooth. Aesthetic alterations could likewise necessitate veneer removal as some patients might not like their teeth’ existing size, form, or color. Another consideration is eventual gum recession that would expose the edges of veneers, requiring removal and replacement.
Process of Veneer Removal
Removing the veneer is a crucial process involving several necessary steps. An evaluation begins with a complete dental examination of the veneers and underlying teeth. This ensures a thorough investigation of any concerns before continuing. To remove the veneers from your teeth, the dentist will use special dental instruments to efficiently and carefully remove them without damaging the tooth you can save. Detailed restorations help keep the natural teeth intact and ready for further treatment.
After removing the veneers, teeth are evaluated to assess additional treatment. If necessary, the dentist may replace old veneers or crowns and perform other restorative treatments to protect teeth’ health and aesthetics.
Alternatives to Veneer Removal
However, if you have only a minor cosmetic concern with your veneers, other options can provide equally satisfying results. One possibility is to remove and replace the old veneers with new ones if aesthetics or wear are your main worry. This helps keep a better aesthetic without the loss of your natural teeth. Therapeutic options are more accessible to crown teeth that have been broken or seriously weakened. Crowns are a complete covering solution that reinforces and beautifies every section of the tooth. If the staining is more widespread, you may be interested in professional teeth whitening and your healthy enamel and veneers. The method may well involve the non-surgical solution of a Lumibrite pearly white whitening system, which offers long-lasting results that make your smile look as good as or better than veneers.
Maintaining Your Veneers
You need to maintain the strength and longevity of veneers. Brushing and flossing will help prevent your picket fence from decaying around the veneers. Routine check-ups and cleanings can provide a healthy environment for your veneers at Golden Mile Dental. Also, avoid hard foods or habits that may break your veneers, such as opening pockets with your teeth. Composite veneers need you to avoid staining foods and substances such as coffee, tea, or red wine to keep them looking good.
Conclusion
In general, veneers function as a lovely, long-term smile, but remember you are committed to looking after them. This includes an assessment of your tooth, removal tools, and all the after-care that needs to be done post-extraction. Areas, where complete removal is not recommended, include replacing old veneers or finalizing the issue with a dental crown. On the other hand, the bonding resin veneers have a good track record for extended services, like many of those placed decades ago, and are still functioning well today. Still, it does not mean that it is forever the same as proper care and maintenance, which is regular scaling and oral hygiene training guidance by a dentist. Our priority is to provide the best dental care we can offer so you can enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile. Contact us for oral health care and tips.