Removing Enamel: How Much is Required for Veneers?

Transforming your smile with veneers can be one of the best investments you can make when looking to improve your appearance. Their ability to conceal all types of blemishes makes them a popular option if you prefer a longer-lasting, uniform aesthetic. But did you know they require a small bit of enamel to be removed from the surfaces of treated teeth? If you’re wondering what denotes a “small amount,” you’re not alone. Many patients want to know the same thing, especially since this top layer cannot regenerate. Read on to learn the truth about enamel removal and what it means for your smile.

What is Required for Veneer Placement?

Receiving veneers requires you to meet with your cosmetic dentist to discuss your eligibility for treatment. If cleared, you will then have a small portion of tooth enamel shaved off the surfaces of teeth that will receive veneers. Your dentist will then take impressions of your smile so that lab technicians can fabricate your custom restorations, ensuring they align with the desired specifications.

In between appointments, you will wear temporary veneers to not only protect your smile but also experience a trial run, so you can get an idea of what living with these restorations will be like.

After a few weeks, you will have the temporary veneers removed so that the permanent ones can be bonded into place, creating a cohesive, beautifully aligned smile.

Why Must Enamel Be Removed for Veneer Placement?

The reason tooth enamel must be removed before receiving custom veneers is that it not only ensures the restoration will properly adhere to your tooth with the help of a professional bonding agent, but it also prevents the veneers from appearing bulky once they’re put in place.

These restorations must lie flat if they are to look completely lifelike. If too much enamel remains on the teeth, they will slightly protrude, creating an unnatural and “fake” smile.

How Much Enamel is Removed?

The moment a cosmetic dentist mentions enamel removal, you may begin to backpedal on your decision to pursue veneers. However, before you do, you should know that the amount taken off is only about half a millimeter. This number can vary based on the shape of the tooth, its alignment, and how many visible imperfections exist, but generally, it is no more than 0.5 mm.

While it’s true that tooth enamel cannot grow back on its own, the amount removed from your teeth is minimal. However, you’ll want to make sure you are okay with maintaining your veneers over time, as this is a semi-permanent form of cosmetic treatment – one that requires replacements but continues to deliver stunning results at the same time.

About the Author
Dr. Ulysses L. Marable is a cosmetic dentist in Fort Valley, GA, who opened his practice in 2007. Following in the footsteps of his uncle, he became a dentist and attended the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry in Augusta. Earning his DMD, he completed a General Practice Residency at the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center in Bronx, New York. Providing top-tier cosmetic services, he can transform smiles using custom-made veneers that conceal flaws and reveal beautiful results. If you want to trade your imperfect teeth for ones that look pristine and uniform, contact us at (478) 825-3000.