Tooth Enamel and Porcelain Veneers
For porcelain veneers to sit flush with one another, a small amount of healthy enamel will be removed from your tooth. If you don’t have sufficient enamel, you may not be a good candidate for this cosmetic treatment.
At Artistic Expressions Dentistry, serving patients in Philadelphia, PA, Doylestown, PA, and other areas of Bucks County, Dr. Bruce Wilderman can determine if you are a good candidate for veneers. Here, we discuss how tooth enamel affects porcelain veneers candidacy.
Why Do Porcelain Veneers Require Enamel Removal?
If Dr. Wilderman did not remove a small amount of your natural tooth enamel, your veneer would stick out and look bulky. The good news for most patients is that only a relatively thin layer of enamel (around 1/2 mm) will be removed to prepare your teeth for treatment. This amount is about as thick as a fingernail.
For cases in which a tooth is misaligned, a larger amount of enamel may need to be removed to address the appearance of crooked teeth.
While there are no-prep veneer products on the market, they often deliver less-than-desirable cosmetic results. For a veneer to appear natural, the shell must lie flush with the surface of neighboring teeth. For most patients, this requires the removal of a small amount of enamel.
How Are the Teeth Prepared?
Your tooth will be prepared with your comfort in mind. Before your teeth are altered, Dr. Wilderman will use an advanced anesthesia delivery system called The Wand® to numb the treatment site without the need for an injection. Then he will gently and artfully remove conservative amounts of enamel. Once your teeth are prepped, you will be fitted with temporary veneers.
Are Some Patients Not Candidates for Veneers?
To be considered a good candidate for porcelain veneers, the patient must have sufficient enamel present. The veneers procedure does not involve the removal of the dentin, they structure below the tooth enamel. If the patient has insufficient enamel, an alternative treatment such as dental crown placement may be recommended.
In addition, patients should have healthy teeth. Veneers are supported by the natural tooth, so it must be free of decay or other dental problems before we proceed with treatment.
Unaddressed bruxism can also prevent an individual from gaining candidacy for porcelain veneers. Untreated teeth grinding can break and damage veneers. If you suffer from bruxism or other jaw-related problems, Dr. Wilderman can treat your condition.
What Are My Treatment Alternatives?
At Artistic Expressions Dentistry, we offer a wide range of treatment alternatives to porcelain veneers. If you are not a candidate for veneers, you may still be a candidate for other treatments like dental bonding and crowns. Bonding allows Dr. Wilderman to artfully mold tooth-colored composite resin over your tooth. This cosmetic procedure can completely reshape a malformed tooth. If your tooth has suffered from significant damage, a crown can completely encase your tooth in a porcelain cap.
Schedule Your Cosmetic Consultation Today
Most patients are good candidates for one or more veneers. Dr. Wilderman has a reputation for providing patients with a comfortable experience and excellent results.
If you are ready to learn more about the benefits of this life-changing cosmetic procedure, please contact our office online or call (215) 712-8345.
