If you’ve looked into getting veneers, you’ve probably read plenty about what they can do for people who aren’t the happiest about their smiles. They can completely transform how you look, covering up all kinds of imperfections.
You may have also heard that getting veneers involves removing a little bit of enamel from your teeth. If you want to know more about why that is and how much enamel needs to be removed, here’s some information that you may find useful.
Why Is It Necessary To Remove Enamel For Veneers?
Veneers are thin shards of porcelain that are layered onto the teeth. While veneers are thin, they’re just large enough that if you just layered them onto the teeth, they’d be noticeable. For that reason, it’s necessary to take off a little bit of the enamel on the front of your tooth in order to make room. That way, your dental work will be flush with the rest of your teeth.
How Much Enamel Will Be Removed For Veneers?
Thankfully, the amount of enamel necessary to remove for your veneers is minimal. It should only be a microscopic amount, just enough to make room for the dental work.
While this may make your teeth a little bit sensitive temporarily, the amount of enamel removed won’t damage the integrity of your tooth or expose you to any particular risk. Dentists are as interested as you are in protecting the overall integrity of the tooth, so they aren’t going to remove any more enamel than is completely necessary.
Will Removing Enamel Cause Sensitivity?
The enamel is typically responsible for protecting the sensitive interior of the tooth. With less of it, you could in theory wind up with more sensitive teeth than otherwise. Fortunately, the veneers will take the place of that enamel, protecting the teeth from the outside.
However, it’s worth pointing out that enamel doesn’t grow back. As a result, you’ll need to keep wearing veneers if you want to protect your teeth from sensitivity, and to replace them if they break.
About the Author
Dr. Javier Perez has a deep passion for providing his patients with incredible smiles that last. He’s been in dentistry for over 25 years, and he never gets tired of the feeling of seeing his patients’ attitudes change after he repairs their smiles. Dr. Perez initially practiced dentistry in Cuba before moving to the US, where he studied at UCLA.
If you have any questions about veneers, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (903) 534-8110.