The Top Concern Patients Have About Dental Veneers

If you’re in the habit of hiding your smile because of crooked, broken, or stained teeth, then veneers probably seem like the answer to all your dental woes. But are veneers really, truly worth the expense, and will veneers damage your teeth?

The truth is, according to Medical News Today, you’ll be just fine. Veneers don’t cause any real damage to your teeth, though there are a few things you should know before you commit to a lifetime of them. Advanced Family Dentistry is your oral hygiene ally, ready to arm you with the details you need to make the best dental decisions for your smile.

Although they do not ruin your teeth, here’s what you should know about dental veneers:

• Your dentist will remove some enamel. Veneers are bonded onto the front of the teeth with a resin adhesive.
• The procedure is irreversible. There’s no changing your mind once you’ve committed to veneers because some reshaping of the natural teeth will be required.
• Veneers form a protective barrier for your teeth. Veneers are like adding armor to your smile. The porcelain used to make veneers are much stronger than your natural teeth.

Let’s dig into the details of the procedure to learn the truth about veneers and debunk the misinformation that leads patients to worry that the procedure will ruin their teeth.

Your dentist will remove some enamel.

Your dentist will have to remove a little bit of the enamel from your teeth to bond the veneer. This is the part that confuses patients because they know that enamel is the tooth’s protection. No protection, no tooth, right? What they forget is that the veneer will be applied—that’s the tooth’s new protective layer. Your dentist will not shave your teeth down to the roots or completely remove the enamel, they will simply apply a cover to replace what was removed.

The procedure is irreversible.

There’s no going back from veneer bonding because your dentist will also have to reshape your teeth. Patients think of this as “ruining” the teeth but think about it: You’re already trying to cover the teeth because there’s something about them that bothers you. Maybe they have chips, cracks, or unsightly spacing—that’s why you’re considering veneers. Just like with a facelift procedure, some of the original structure requires adjustment to make more pleasing shapes.

Veneers form a protective barrier for your teeth.

Veneers take over shield duties for your tooth enamel and do a better job of it. Generally constructed of porcelain, veneers are more resilient materials than your natural teeth. They are also much less porous, meaning that they can resist staining. It’s important to note that your veneers can’t be whitened. If the shade of your teeth is bothersome to you, consider a whitening treatment before your veneers are applied.

Schedule a veneer consultation.

So, are veneers right for you? The best way to decide is to schedule a consultation appointment with Dr. Asadi. Call our Tucson office at 520- 353-3002 or send us a message to get started. Veneers are a big decision, but you can be assured that once you’re armed with the dental advice you need, your new, beautiful smile will thank you as it lights up the room.