Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic solution that offer stunning improvements to your smile in just one dental visit. But our clients often ask: Can veneers be removed? In this article, we provide a detailed answer to this question and discuss alternative cosmetic options to dental veneers.
Can Veneers Be Removed?
Dental veneers are thin shells typically made of porcelain or resin composite. A veneer covers the entire front side of a tooth. Dental veneers are commonly used to solve the following cosmetic issues:
- Stains and discoloration on the teeth
- Unevenly shaped teeth
- Minor gaps between the teeth
- Chipped or cracked teeth
Dental veneers can be removed only when you replace them with a new set or with dental crowns, but they cannot be permanently removed. The reason for this is that before veneers are placed, your teeth are filed down: some portion of the enamel is removed so that your veneers have enough room to fit among the other teeth in your mouth.
Once enamel is filed down, it cannot grow back, and our teeth cannot survive without it. Veneers act as a protective layer instead of natural tooth enamel. If they are permanently removed, acid and bacteria will quickly erode your teeth, leading to decay and tooth loss.
That is why, if you are considering dental veneers, it is important to consider if you are prepared to wear them or their alternative for the rest of your life, getting a new set every 10 to 15 years.
Alternatives to Dental Veneers
There are several cosmetic and orthodontic solutions that can achieve results similar to dental veneers. You might consider combining several of these procedures to achieve desirable results without a lifelong commitment to dental veneers.
Teeth Whitening
If your main concern is tooth staining or discoloration, we recommend considering a teeth whitening procedure. When performed by a responsible dentist, teeth whitening does not cause permanent damage to your teeth and can make them up to 8 shades whiter in just one dental visit.
Lumeneers
Lumeneers are very similar to veneers, but they are much thinner, allowing minimal to no tooth preparation before placement. Thus, lumineers can often be permanently taken off. However, we recommend consulting your cosmetic dentist to determine if this option is possible for you and will produce the desired cosmetic benefits.
Dental Bonding
Dental bonding is often used to address issues similar to those addressed by dental veneers. However, little to no enamel is removed to apply dental bonding. Also, bonding does not cover the entire front surface of the tooth but only problematic areas, thus being more conservative than veneers.
Orthodontic Treatments
An orthodontic treatment does not produce instant results like dental veneers. Still, it offers lifelong benefits not only for your smile’s appearance but also for your oral and overall health. We recommend orthodontic treatment if your main concerns are crooked or spaced teeth, as resolving the issue is always better than masking it with dental veneers. On top of that, an orthodontic treatment is typically less expensive than dental veneers.
Make an Appointment with a Cosmetic Dentist at Shodhan Yucaipa
If you want to boost the appearance of your smile, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced cosmetic dentist at Shodhan Yucaipa today. Our specialists will examine your case and take your goals and preferences into account to help you achieve the desired results. We are looking forward to your visit.