Nothing lasts forever — not even your veneers. If you’re noticing signs that yours are nearing the end of the road, you’re probably wondering about the next steps. What happens when they’re removed, and is getting new veneers optional?
You’ve got questions, and we’ve got answers. Below are all the details you need as you gear up for dental veneer removal.
Table of Contents
How Are Teeth Prepped for Veneers?
Veneers are wafer-thin shells custom made for individual teeth. While all veneers fit this definition, not all are the same. Their materials vary, and so does their impact on your teeth. The first step in knowing what happens after veneer removal is understanding what happened to your enamel before they were ever applied.
When talking about veneers, “enamel prep” refers to any alterations made to the outermost layer of the tooth. This can be as simple as texturing it or as significant as shaving off 0.5 millimeters.
Either way, enamel prep serves an important purpose. When used to texture, it gives the dental cement a better grip for bonding the veneer to the tooth. When reducing the overall enamel on the front of a tooth, it lets the veneer sit flush with the other teeth. Dentists can also use it to alter the tooth’s shape along the edges for a better look and fit.
Any enamel alteration is permanent. Your body can’t regenerate it, so once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. However, not all veneer types require enamel removal.
Direct Composite Veneers
The dentist can form these resin veneers directly on the teeth. This gives them fine-tuned control over all aspects of the design, including thickness. As a result, they can make the veneera extra thin, negating the need for enamel removal in most cases. The exception is when they’re used to cover stains, since thickness is necessary to hide them completely.
Indirect Composite Veneers
Like their direct counterparts, these are made from dental resin. However, your dentist won’t form them directly on the teeth; instead, they’re made in a dental lab. They’re often stronger than direct composite veneers but also thicker, so they typically require around 0.3 millimeters of enamel removal.
Ceramic and Porcelain Veneers
While all porcelain is ceramic, not all ceramic is porcelain. Ceramic veneers are slightly thinner, so they can get away with less enamel removal, though not by much — usually around 0.4–0.45 millimeters. Porcelain veneers are the thickest option, and your dentist will need to remove about 0.5 millimeters of enamel to get the right fit.
No-Prep Veneers
Lumineers, Vivaneers, and DURAthin are all well-known brands of no-prep veneers. Your dentist can place them directly on your natural teeth without removing enamel except to shape the edges, if necessary. They’re extra thin, so they don’t stand out from the teeth like traditional veneers. And despite that thinness, they’re still strong enough to have roughly the same lifespan as traditional porcelain veneers.
What Is the Impact of Enamel Removal?
At this point, you’re likely wondering if enamel removal is harmful. As long as your veneers are in good shape, you shouldn’t suffer any effects from enamel prep. Of course, what we’re looking at here is what happens when you get your veneers removed.
If you immediately replace your old veneers with new veneers or another solution (such as bonding or crowns), you shouldn’t experience any ill effects. However, if you wait to get a new appliance after having them removed, you leave your teeth vulnerable to numerous side effects, such as:
- Increased tooth sensitivity
- Cracks
- Chips
- Discoloration
- Indentations
- Rough edges
- Zinger-type pains
- Erosion of the remaining enamel
- Tooth decay
- Tooth loss
Remember that the longer you leave your teeth unprotected, the higher the risk. Your best option is to replace veneers immediately, but if that isn’t possible, the sooner you act, the better your results.
Signs You Need to Remove Your Veneers
Veneers that are well made, placed correctly, and properly cared for can last a lifetime — in theory, at least. In practice, you’ll probably need to replace them every 7–20 years, depending on the material. All things age and change over time, including your teeth, jawbone, gums, and dental cement. Any of these changes could cause issues with your veneers.
There is no guarantee on how long veneers will last. You have to keep an eye on them, see your dentist regularly, and seek help if you suspect something is wrong. If you notice any of the following, you’ll likely need to have your veneers removed:
- Stains on or around the veneers
- Gum recession around the teeth with veneers
- Visible definition between the veneer and the tooth
- Rough edges on the veneers
- Cracks or chips in the veneer
- Loose or uncomfortable veneers
- Changes in tooth alignment
- Tooth decay in the teeth with veneers
How Does the Veneer Removal Process Work?
If your veneers are damaged, old, or don’t fit anymore, it’s time to remove them. The process is pretty straightforward, though there can be some variations based on what’s best in your unique case.
First, your dentist will likely test the dental adhesive to see if it has weakened enough to pop the veneer off. Otherwise, they’ll use a grinding tool to wear down the veneer until they can scrape off the remains. In some cases, dentists will use mechanical crown-bridge removers for veneers, but this isn’t the best practice.
Veneer grinding is a delicate process and can take some time. The lack of color contrast between the tooth, dental adhesive, and veneer means a dentist can easily go too far, so they have to take it slow. Grinding the veneer around the gum line also comes with the risk of gingival damage. That’s why it’s essential to work with an experienced professional.
An alternative to traditional grinding is the use of laser technology. Laser debonding started as a gentler way to remove braces brackets but has since been used to weaken bonding for cosmetic and restorative prosthetics, including crowns and veneers. Laser energy degrades dental bonding via thermal softening, thermal ablation, and photo-ablation, depending on which is best for a particular situation.
What To Do After Getting Your Veneers Off
Unless you got no-prep veneers, you must protect your teeth after getting your veneers off. If you aren’t sold on getting veneers again, you have a few other options. Below are some of the best choices for replacing old or damaged dental veneers.
New Veneers
The obvious choice for replacing old veneers is getting new ones. However, this will depend on your experience. If you didn’t enjoy having veneers or ended up with issues like tooth decay, they might not be the right fit. Keep in mind that there are different types of veneers and you might find that another material is better for you the second time around.
Bonding
When replacing direct composite veneers, a very similar alternative is dental bonding. It uses the same materials, and the dentist shapes it right on your teeth. Bonding is typically thinner and can go on all surfaces of your teeth. So if you have cracks that run around to the backs of your teeth, bonding might be better for you than veneers.
Crowns
Crowns are restorative, prosthetic caps that fully cover damaged teeth. This lets them cover up aesthetic issues while also restoring function. In most cases, dentists won’t want to move from a veneer to a crown unless the tooth has sustained damage — for example, a cavity forming underneath a veneer that has slightly pulled away from the tooth. It’s a good option if you have lost quite a bit of your natural tooth, though.
Final Thoughts
If you have veneers, removal is pretty much inevitable. How this happens and your options after will vary between dentists and based on the type of veneers you had.
Keep in mind that you must replace any veneers that require enamel prep. Otherwise, you’ll end up with tooth decay and eventual tooth loss. But with so many options out there, including various veneer types, you’re sure to find a great fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the risks of not replacing veneers after removing them?
Your enamel is the protective layer of your teeth. Even partial removal makes it easier for bacteria to reach the inner dental tissues — the dentin and the pulp — causing cavities and decay. Additionally, the enamel gives the teeth strength and color, so you can expect your teeth to chip and stain. Many people also experience significant sensitivity, since it’s easier for foods and drinks to overstimulate the nerve.
Is the veneer removal process painful?
It can be. Anyone with sensitive teeth and gums will likely need local anesthetic. Also, if you have decay, it can make the process extremely uncomfortable. Laser removal is usually less painful than more traditional methods, so if your dentist uses it and your teeth are healthy, you might experience nothing more than slight discomfort.
Should I look for a dentist who does laser removal?
This is a matter of personal preference. If getting laser veneer removal is important to you, then you should seek out a doctor who offers it. Ultimately, this might be a struggle, depending on where you live, as this is a newer approach to veneer removal.
Can my teeth break when my veneers are removed?
Potentially, yes. If your teeth are healthy, this risk is minimal. However, many people don’t seek veneer removal until they have problems with their teeth. If you have gum disease or tooth decay, you run a much higher risk.
Are snap-on veneers a good replacement for traditional veneers?
It depends on your circumstances. If you’ve had enamel removed, they are not a good replacement since they hold bacteria against the teeth. If you haven’t, they cover up everything traditional veneers do and more.
Can I switch veneer types after removal?
Yes. The main thing to remember is how the thickness changes. If you go from porcelain to a thinner material, your dentist will need to see if the lab can make them thicker to accommodate previous enamel removal. However, if you go with thinner veneers, you’ll probably need more enamel removed.
My veneer feels loose; can I pop it off myself?
Veneers can pop right off the teeth on their own — usually when they’re pretty old and the wearer bites into hard food. But that doesn’t mean you should attempt to remove them on your own. This could cause tooth breakage and gum injury, both of which will require a trip to the dentist. Even if you have no-prep veneers, you should get them professionally removed.
If I don’t like my veneers, can I get them removed early?
Yes, but be aware that if you had enamel removed, you’ll need to transition to another solution. Only people with no-prep veneers can get them removed without another treatment in place.
If my veneers seem fine even after 20 years, do I still need to remove them?
No, but consult a professional. Sometimes, veneers seem fine to those of us without specialized training, but a dentist can spot all sorts of issues. Let their expert opinion guide your decision on veneer replacement.
What can I do to extend the lifespan of my veneers?
Start by taking good care of your overall oral health. Brush and floss twice a day and see your dentist twice a year. Don’t use your teeth as tools and stop bad habits like nail biting. Eat a healthy diet, stay hydrated to promote good overall health, and be careful about biting into hard foods.
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