Dental veneers are a popular, sought-after way to improve the appearance of teeth. Yet, not everybody knows what happens to teeth under veneers. The application process for these dental coverings will change natural teeth, but how?
As a trusted family dentist in New Orleans who helps brighten smiles with dental veneers, our Dental Arts of New Orleans team is well-versed in veneer tooth impacts. Here’s what our experts have to say about what happens to teeth with veneers.
Veneer Preparation and Its Effect on Teeth
To fully understand what happens to natural teeth under veneers, it helps to know what the dental service is and why people get it. Dental veneers are wafer-thin shells that dentists apply to the outer surface of teeth to change how they look. The shells can be either a sturdy porcelain or a natural-looking composite resin material.
Many get this treatment to improve their smiles, which veneers can accomplish in several ways. They can address problems like:
- Teeth misalignment
- Chipped or broken teeth
- Deep stains or teeth discoloration
- Teeth gaps
The number of teeth coverings needed depends on the problems you want to fix. For instance, one person may get veneers to cover their entire upper row to address discoloration, while another uses a single veneer to cover a chipped tooth.
Consult the information below to learn more about teeth structure and veneers and what happens to teeth under veneers.
Tooth Preparation for Veneers
The purpose of veneers is to give teeth a natural appearance despite their cosmetic issues. The shells have to bond to the enamel of teeth to improve their appearance. However, adding anything to the surface of any tooth will cause it to feel bulky and unnatural.
Dentists address this issue by removing a layer of enamel from each tooth to accommodate the space needed for the porcelain shells. After preparation of the teeth, a mold or scan is taken of the patients’ teeth and is then sent to a laboratory to create the veneers. Once the veneers are ready, the patient returns to the dentist who then bonds the shells to each affected tooth using dental cement and a curing light.
Porcelain veneers require more enamel shaving than their composite resin variety. With resin, the dentist will mold the material to each tooth and shape it to match neighboring teeth before cleaning and polishing everything. Both composite resin and porcelain veneers produce natural-looking results.
What Teeth Underneath Veneers Look Like
What happens to teeth under veneers? Since dental professionals shave roughly 0.5mm of enamel, the appearance of natural teeth under veneers might not be too drastic. The veneers and the adhesive cause no damage to the teeth. In fact, adding a porcelain or composite resin covering to a weak tooth can improve its stability and retain its structure.
The Importance of Dental Health with Veneers
Having dental veneers doesn’t change the fact that dental hygiene is essential for preserving your smile and oral health. In most cases, these cosmetic dental coverings last for up to ten years before needing replacement. Failing to brush and floss your teeth regularly and missing routine dental appointments can prematurely degrade them and put your natural teeth at risk.
Composite resin and porcelain aren’t susceptible to decay, but the natural teeth beneath them are. Bacteria can still accumulate between teeth, eat away the enamel, and cause decay. Unfortunately, it’s challenging to know if you have cavities and dental decay underneath cosmetic dental restorations like veneers, so you must maintain a good oral hygiene practice.
Let Our Dental Professionals in New Orleans Improve Your Smile with Veneers
Are you ready to enhance your smile now that you know the answer to “What happens to teeth under veneers?” At Dental Arts of New Orleans, we strive to provide the best dental and orthodontic services in and around New Orleans in a relaxed, welcoming environment. We believe in a patient-focused approach to dentistry, so our seasoned team tailors services to accommodate each patient’s needs. Our family-owned and operated company is ready to provide the services you seek. Contact us today at (504) 394-5330 or reach out online to request a consultation.
