What Happens to the Teeth Underneath Veneers?

Our goal is to help our patients achieve the healthy smiles they’ve always wanted. While every patient’s needs are different, we most often recommend some common cosmetic dental treatments.

Dental veneers are one of the most affordable and effective ways to improve your smile. However, some patients worry about what happens to their teeth once veneers are applied.

Here we explain all about veneers, how they are applied and how having veneers affects your teeth.

What are veneers?

Veneers are used to hide your tooth’s imperfections. They consist of a thin shell of porcelain or a regular composite material crafted to provide perfectly formed teeth. The veneers are bonded to the front of the teeth, providing a tough and durable layer that looks fantastic and helps protect the surfaces of your teeth.

As a cosmetic dental restoration treatment, they offer an excellent solution for a long list of smile woes, from staining to gaps and misshapen teeth to uneven gum lines. They are entirely customizable, allowing us to match your natural teeth’ colour and appearance or craft them to improve the appearance of common tooth imperfections.

What is the difference between porcelain and composite veneers?

Composite veneers are made of resin and offer a fast solution as a cosmetic treatment. Porcelain veneers take longer as they must be made in a dental lab. They usually require two appointments, one to shape and prep the teeth and the second to apply the veneers. While some people feel porcelain looks more natural, composite can be matched to any colour and moulded to the desired shape.

Porcelain lasts longer overall, but composite veneers are also very strong. If the composite is chipped, it can be repaired, whereas porcelain veneers must be replaced. The type of veneer you choose is based on many factors, including your budget, how quickly you wish to see results, and which look you prefer.

How do veneers affect my teeth?

Because your teeth have a smooth surface, it has to be “roughened up” to ensure the best possible fit. Before your veneer application, we have to prepare the tooth by removing about 0.5 millimetres of the tooth’s surface.

This is a consideration when choosing a cosmetic treatment, as once this process is complete, you must maintain your veneers. They become necessary as your teeth need protection since the natural enamel has been removed.

Porcelain veneers provide the same protection keeping bacteria away and tooth decay at bay. So despite the removal of some of the tooth surface, veneers help preserve your tooth structure. We also apply a mild acid to provide extra adhesion for the bonding material used to attach the veneers. The bonding material helps seal the tooth below the veneer.

Can veneers ruin my teeth?

No, this is a misconception some patients have about porcelain veneers. As mentioned above, they protect your teeth and improve their appearance. The bonding material used to affix your veneers provides a tight fit that makes it very difficult for bacteria to penetrate. They help strengthen your teeth as once the bonding material hardens, it becomes rigid and durable.

Why choose veneers?

Porcelain veneers offer a cosmetic dental solution for many issues, including:

• Tooth enamel discoloration not removable by whitening
• Chips or fractures
• Gaps
• Uneven surfaces
• Worn-down teeth
• Crooked teeth
• “Long” teeth
• Damaged or weakened teeth (in some cases)

They look natural and offer an affordable, long-lasting solution for these smile imperfections.

Will veneers work for anyone?

No. There are some scenarios where we won’t recommend veneers, including:

• If you have gum disease, weak teeth, or other underlying dental issues
• If your budget does not allow for it, we will recommend composite resin instead
• If you grind your teeth, you can damage your veneers

However, we will find a solution that will be ideal for your needs and budget. We can also correct underlying issues such as gum disease, so your gums are healthy, and you can proceed with your dental veneer restoration.

How do I care for veneers?

By merely practicing your usual oral hygiene regime, your veneers can last up to 20 years. Composite can last up to eight years. However, if you fail to maintain good oral health, you can see your veneers and overall dental health issues. Since your veneers cover your tooth surface, if you do not brush and floss regularly, bacteria can affix to the edges of the tooth and cause decay that goes behind the veneer.

Benefits of Porcelain Veneers

Here are some of the top benefits of porcelain veneers:

1. Teeth appear white and stay white

   Your natural teeth become discoloured over time from the foods you eat and the beverages you drink. Other behaviour, such as smoking, can also contribute to staining. With porcelain veneers, your tooth colour is chosen to look white and natural and stay that way. Since porcelain tends to repel stains, your teeth will not require whitening treatments and will keep their perfect colour.

2. Your smile is perfect

   If you’ve lived trying to hide your smile, your new porcelain veneers provide a new lease on life. You can smile with confidence knowing those imperfections are corrected with discolouration, crooked teeth and gaps are gone.

3. Ideal restoration for damaged tooth enamel

   If you have experienced damage and erosion to your tooth enamel, veneers can provide a barrier to protect teeth from bacteria that causes tooth decay.

4. They’re permanent

   Your veneers offer a permanent cosmetic dental restoration solution, which means you can enjoy your perfect smile for a lifetime as long as you continue to practice excellent oral hygiene.

If you are unhappy with the appearance of your smile, porcelain veneers could be the perfect solution.

To learn more about our porcelain veneers and what happens to the teeth underneath veneers, call Bristol Dental in Mississauga at 905-712-3409 or contact us here.