Veneers have become one of the most desired cosmetic dental treatments in recent years. Everyone, from busy professionals to Hollywood celebrities, is turning to porcelain veneers to perfect their smiles. With their ability to mask imperfections like chips, stains, and minor misalignments, veneers can provide a truly transformative effect. If you’re considering veneers and wonder what actually happens to your natural teeth after they’re placed, this blog can help you understand the process, what happens to your natural tooth structure, and how to care for your veneers.
Table of Contents
- What Are Dental Veneers, Exactly?
- What Happens to Your Teeth During the Veneer Process?
- What Are One-Day Dental Veneers?
- Can You Still Get Cavities with Veneers?
- How to Care for Your Teeth and Veneers
- Are Porcelain Veneers Right for You?
- Interested in Dental Veneers in San Diego, CA?
What Are Dental Veneers, Exactly?
Porcelain veneers are ultra-thin, personalized shells, usually crafted from high-quality ceramic materials. They cover the front surfaces of your teeth to conceal flaws and create a more uniform, bright, and aesthetically pleasing look.
Porcelain veneers are so popular because they are stain-resistant, look natural, and mimic the light-reflecting qualities of natural teeth. They are often used to correct:
- Dental stains that don’t respond to whitening treatments
- Small chips or cracks
- Minor gaps between teeth
- Mildly crooked or uneven teeth
- Worn-down enamel
While veneers offer incredible cosmetic benefits, they usually involve some alteration to your teeth. However, one exception is the no-prep option. No-prep veneers are not permanent and can be removed without damaging the patient’s natural teeth.
What Happens to Your Teeth During the Veneer Process?
Preparation is an essential part of the dental veneer process. For a good fit and natural look, a small amount of enamel must be removed before veneers are placed. Here’s a breakdown of what typically happens:
Enamel Reduction
Before your veneers can be placed, your dentist will carefully shave a tiny portion of the enamel from the front surface of each tooth that will receive a veneer. This is usually about 0.3 to 0.5 millimeters, about the thickness of a fingernail. This ensures that the veneers sit flush with the rest of your teeth and don’t look bulky or unnatural.
Without this step, teeth would be too thick to accommodate veneers, and your smile could look artificial. Removing some enamel also helps the veneers adhere securely to your teeth.
Important:
Once enamel is removed, it does not grow back, meaning veneers are typically considered an irreversible procedure. You’ll always need to have some type of restoration on those teeth, whether it’s new porcelain veneers, dental bonding, or crowns.
Taking Impressions
After the enamel has been reduced, your dentist will take detailed impressions of your teeth. These molds are used to fabricate veneers that fit perfectly and blend with your smile seamlessly for a natural look and feel.
Temporary Veneers
Because enamel has been removed, your teeth can feel more sensitive. Temporary veneers may be placed while your permanent restorations are being crafted in the dental lab.
Bonding the Veneers
When your permanent veneers are ready to be placed, the dentist will bond them securely to your teeth using a strong dental adhesive. Any minor adjustments that are needed are then made to ensure a perfect fit, bite, and overall appearance.
What Are One-Day Dental Veneers?
Composite veneers can be completed in only one visit, as the dentist simply prepares the natural teeth, color-matches the composite resin, applies and contours it for a natural appearance, and cures it with a special light.
Some cosmetic dentists with advanced restoration capabilities also offer one-day porcelain veneers.
Can You Still Get Cavities with Veneers?
One misconception about veneers is that they “protect” your teeth from future dental problems. While veneers do cover the front surface of your teeth, they do not make your teeth invincible.
The reality is that:
- Your natural teeth remain underneath the veneers, and they are still vulnerable to decay, especially along the margins where the veneer meets your natural tooth.
- Gum disease can still occur if you don’t practice good oral hygiene, potentially leading to gum recession that can expose the edges of veneers or even cause them to fail.
- Proper care is essential. To maintain your veneers and natural teeth in the long term, you’ll need to brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist for regular exams and professional cleanings.
How to Care for Your Teeth and Veneers
Fortunately, taking care of veneers isn’t much different from caring for natural teeth. Here’s what you should do:
- Brush gently twice daily with a non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss carefully around each tooth every day.
- Limit your consumption of foods or drinks like coffee, red wine, and berries—even though porcelain resists stains, your natural teeth and composite veneers can still become discolored.
- Wear a nightguard while you sleep if you grind your teeth.
- Visit your dentist every six months for dental cleanings and exams.
- Avoid using your teeth as tools (for example, opening packages), as this can chip veneers or damage natural teeth.
With vigilant care, porcelain veneers can last from 10 to 15 years or even longer.
Are Porcelain Veneers Right for You?
While veneers can create dramatic improvements, they are not the best option for everyone. Your dentist will evaluate your oral health, tooth structure, bite, and cosmetic goals to determine if porcelain veneers are your ideal solution.
For example, patients with active gum disease, significant tooth decay, or insufficient enamel may need to address those issues first before becoming candidates for veneers.
Sometimes, alternatives like dental bonding, teeth whitening, or orthodontic treatment may be recommended instead.
Interested in Dental Veneers in San Diego, CA?
Dr. Kohani is a respected San Diego cosmetic dentist providing a wide range of dental veneer options. These include porcelain, composite, and no-prep veneers, which require no enamel removal.
Call La Jolla Cosmetic Dentistry & Orthodontics today at 858-295-0603 or fill out the online contact form to learn more about achieving your ideal smile!
