Veneer Teeth: What Happens To Your Teeth Under Veneers?

If you are familiar with how veneers work, you should know that they are excellent choices for smile makeovers. One of the most common questions we receive at Dental Designs about this treatment is what happens to teeth under veneers made of porcelain — will they rot, be ruined or suffer damage?

Well, here's the scoop!

The good news is when fitted properly by an experienced dentist, teeth under veneers will not be harmed and will stay strong and healthy — although that largely hinges on your oral hygiene.

What should I expect for my teeth under veneers?

Veneers are designed to address common cosmetic issues such as discoloured, broken, gapped and misaligned teeth, which if unaddressed might cause dental issues in future. In order to effectively place them on your teeth, some of the tooth’s surface has to be partially removed as part of the tooth preparation process. Typically, about 0.5mm of the outermost layer (enamel) is shaved off.

At Dental Designs, we always prefer to take the most conservative option to achieve your aesthetic goals. Therefore, if your concerns are mostly about the colour of your teeth, teeth whitening alone might be sufficient to meet your goals. If you would like to improve the symmetry of your smile or change the shape of your teeth, dental veneers may be what you are looking for.

Once the tooth preparation is done, your custom-designed porcelain veneers are adhered to the tooth’s surface with a bonding cement. Patients do not have to worry about the adhesive material used for bonding with the teeth under veneers as it is not harmful.

Are the natural teeth under veneers compromised?

When done properly, do not compromise the health of your natural teeth under veneers. However, there are some important considerations to keep in mind-

1. Tooth Preparation: Often, a small amount of enamel has to be removed from the front of your teeth for proper fit. This process is minimal but irreversible since enamel doesn't grow back.

2. Maintenance: They require the same care as natural teeth, including regular brushing, flossing and dental check-ups. They’re durable but can chip or come loose if not properly maintained.

3. Longevity: These can last many years but they may eventually need to be replaced. The longevity of this treatment depends on the quality of the materials used, the skill of the dentist and how well you care for them.

4. Potential Risks: Poorly fitting or bonding can increase the risk of decay or damage to the teeth under veneers. It's important to have the procedure done by a skilled and experienced dentist.

Overall, these are a safe and effective way to enhance the appearance of your teeth when done correctly. Be sure to discuss the details with your dentist to understand the procedure and its impact on your dental health. Want to protect your teeth under veneers? Dental Designs clinic can help!

Related Articles

• Are Veneers Permanent? Understanding Their Longevity In 2024
• Do Veneers Ruin Your Teeth?
• A Dentist's Guide To Teeth Veneers Singapore (2025)

What steps can I take to save my teeth under veneers?

Maintain good oral hygiene: Practising good oral hygiene is imperative. Brush and floss at least twice everyday — many patients neglect to floss regularly but not doing so can actually cause decay to build up between the teeth under veneers. Once this happens, the decay attacks the natural tooth enamel at the ends of the attachment and causes a cavity.

As cavities under cosmetic restorations often go unnoticed, most patients do not realise they have one until they experience discomfort. At this stage, the cavity will threaten the long term health of your teeth under veneers and potentially shorten the longevity of your treatment.

Regular dental check-ups: It is also recommended to see your dentist every six months for dental checkups and cleanings to ensure overall oral health and longevity of your treatment.

Use fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash: This helps to strengthen tooth enamel and protect against decay. 

Wear a mouth guard: If you grind your teeth at night, consider wearing a mouth guard to protect both your natural teeth under veneers and the treatment.

If you are considering porcelain ones to treat any physical and/or aesthetic issues with your teeth, our experienced dentists can help. To learn more about Dental Veneers, click here.

Any questions? Just ask us and we'll be glad to assist!

References

1. Beier, U. S., Kapferer, I., Burtscher, D., & Dumfahrt, H. (2012). Clinical performance of porcelain laminate veneers for up to 20 years. The International journal of prosthodontics, 25(1), 79–85.
2. Layton, D. M., & Clarke, M. (2013). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the survival of non-feldspathic porcelain veneers over 5 and 10 years. The International journal of prosthodontics, 26(2), 111–124. https://doi.org/10.11607/ijp.3202