Along with those who already have veneers, many more want them to improve their appearance. These people have many inquiries about the dental process. One question is what happens to the teeth underneath the veneers. Fortunately, this knowledge provides a straightforward response.

Understanding what veneers are

For starters, it's helpful to understand how veneers operate. The two most commonly used materials by dentists are porcelain and composite resin. Porcelain veneers consist of a wafer-like shell on the front surface of a patient's teeth. In contrast, a dentist applies composite resin to the tooth to produce an artificial surface that appears natural.

Preparing the teeth for veneers

The preparation of veneers varies slightly depending on the material utilized. Begin with porcelain. In this scenario, the dentist creates a mold or imprint of the patient's tooth or teeth. This is then delivered to a lab that makes the veneers. When finished, the lab returns the personalized shells to the dentist.

The application process for porcelain veneers

When the dentist has completed the veneers, the patient returns to have them glued. To guarantee a secure and pleasant fit, the dentist uses a tool to remove as little enamel as feasible. Following some fine-tuning, the dentist applies a specific dental glue to the tooth surface. The dentist next installs the veneers.

Getting veneers made of composite resin

The preparation differs because this substance forms over a patient's tooth. In this scenario, the dentist must remove more enamel than what porcelain veneers require. Afterward, the dentist molds and shapes the composite material to the tooth or teeth before cleaning and polishing it. Just like porcelain, the veneers appear natural.

The underlying teeth

Nothing negative occurs to the tooth or teeth that are underneath. A dentist never touches nerves and roots because just a small portion of the enamel needs to be removed. The patient's natural teeth are preserved with the veneers in place. The new veneers merely rest on top of the natural teeth.

The dentist’s goal

Every dentist's goal is to keep a patient's natural teeth as much as possible. That's a major factor in why many dentists recommend veneers to their patients. This procedure does not damage a patient's natural teeth. But it also greatly affects how well they bite and sometimes even smile.

Maintaining oral health

Dental veneers typically last for ten years before breaking down or needing to be replaced. With regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene, the coatings can shield the teeth for several years. Patients who neglect their dental health, though, run the danger of jeopardizing both the veneers and the natural tooth structure.

For example, if you don't floss frequently, bacteria that cause decay can grow in the spaces between your teeth. If this occurs, the germs will attack the natural tooth enamel underneath the veneer. The tooth behind the veneer is susceptible to decay even though the veneer itself is not. The germs will cause decay as they eat away at the enamel. Often, cavities or decay behind cosmetic dental restorations go undiagnosed, so patients may not even be aware of their condition until they experience tooth discomfort.

Too much time spent with a cavity might cause the tooth to get so sick that a root canal is necessary to save it. In certain cases, the tooth may be irreparable and need extraction. A dental implant or another type of tooth replacement may be necessary to restore the smile.

A procedure with great results

Because of veneers, you no longer need to be self-conscious about your teeth. It also makes sense to proceed since this is a dental solution that is both painless and efficient. You are also aware that your natural teeth are unharmed. In general, veneers are a fantastic method to restore your smile.