Introduction
Getting dental veneers is a popular cosmetic treatment that can dramatically improve the look of your smile. Veneers are thin shells, usually made of porcelain, that are bonded to the front surfaces of your teeth. They can mask chips, cracks, discoloration, and other flaws. Before veneers are placed, your dentist may recommend reshaping or “shaving” down your natural teeth. This is done to remove a small amount of enamel so the veneers can be made thinner. Thinner veneers look more natural and last longer. Let’s take a closer look at why tooth shaving is often done before veneers.
What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers are custom-made covers that are bonded to the front of teeth. They are made from porcelain, composite resin, or other materials. Veneers improve the color, shape, size, and overall look of front teeth that are chipped, stained, misaligned, uneven, or poorly shaped. The veneer covers the entire visible surface of the tooth. Veneers provide an instant smile makeover that can dramatically improve your appearance.
Why are teeth shaved for veneers?
There are several reasons why a small amount of enamel is removed from the teeth before placing veneers:
- To make room for the added thickness of the veneer
- To prevent the veneers from looking bulky or oversized
- To achieve a uniform thickness for improved aesthetics
- To gain retention for stronger bonding
Let’s look at each of these reasons in more detail.
Making room for veneer thickness
Veneers add thickness to the front surfaces of your teeth. The typical veneer is about 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm thick. If your dentist doesn’t make room for this added thickness by removing some enamel, it can make your teeth look bulky and unnatural. Shaving the teeth allows the dentist to add veneers that look smooth, even, and natural.
Preventing a bulky appearance
Applying veneers over unprepared teeth often results in a bulky, squared off appearance. This is because the thickness is added only to the front of the teeth and not the sides. To prevent this, a procedure called “reduction” is done to conservatively contour and slim the teeth so veneers appear seamless.
Achieving uniform thickness
Enamel is shaved to create a uniform thickness for the veneers. A consistent thickness of 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm provides the best aesthetics and also prevents the veneers from fracturing or detaching. Uneven veneer thickness can lead to problems.
Improving bonding
Shaving the enamel gives the veneers a better surface to “grip” onto. Roughening the surface helps the dental cement adhere and prevents veneers from lifting or falling off later on. Proper tooth reduction before placement is key for long-lasting veneers.
How much enamel is removed?
Enamel removal, also called tooth reduction, is minimized to conserve as much natural tooth structure as possible. On average, only about 0.5 mm to 0.7 mm of outer enamel is reduced. This small amount of reduction allows veneers to be made very thin, typically between 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm. Leaving more enamel also strengthens the teeth.
Does it hurt to shave down teeth?
Having your teeth shaved by a high speed dental drill may sound painful, but most patients report very little if any discomfort. That’s because:
- Only enamel is removed. Enamel does not have nerve endings and cannot sense pain.
- A local anesthetic is used to numb the teeth so no pain is felt.
- The dentist removes enamel very slowly and carefully.
- Cool water spray keeps the teeth comfortable.
If any sensitivity is felt, more anesthetic can be given before proceeding. Using a dental drill to conservatively shape the teeth is painless when done properly.
The tooth shaving process
Here is an overview of how tooth shaving is done before placing veneers:
- Numbing – The teeth and gums are numbed with a local anesthetic so no pain will be felt during the procedure.
- Isolation – The area is isolated using cheek retractors, cotton rolls, tongue guards, and a dental dam to keep the field clean and dry.
- Reduction – Using a specialized dental drill with a fine burr, a small amount of enamel is reduced to make room for veneers. Cool water keeps teeth comfortable.
- Impressions – Impressions are taken of the newly contoured teeth so veneers can be fabricated to match precisely.
- Temporaries – Temporary veneers may be placed to protect the teeth for the 1-2 weeks it takes to make the permanent veneers.
- Placement – Once fabricated, the veneers are tried in, adjusted, and permanently bonded into place with dental cement.
Proper tooth reduction by a skilled dentist is critical for achieving beautiful, natural looking veneers that feel comfortable and last a long time.
What to expect after teeth shaving
Patients usually have no pain or discomfort after having their teeth conservatively shaved in preparation for veneers. But here are some things you may experience:
- Sensitivity – Your teeth may be sensitive to hot and cold temperatures for a few days. This is normal and should subside.
- Rough spots – You may feel tiny rough areas or grooves on your teeth. The veneers will smooth over these.
- Appearance – Your shaved teeth may look smaller, thinner or paler. This is temporary until you get your veneers.
- Biting – Due to reduced thickness, you may notice a difference when biting down. Be gentle, especially with temporaries in place.
These are common, temporary effects of conservative enamel reduction. Once your veneers are placed, your teeth will look and feel natural again.
Advantages of tooth shaving for veneers
Although reshaping teeth before veneers sounds invasive, it actually offers many benefits:
- Allows veneers to be made ultra-thin for a natural appearance
- Prevents a bulky, squared off look from added thickness only on the front surface
- Removes stains and flaws so less veneer material is needed
- Provides stronger bonding between veneer and tooth
- Conserves more healthy enamel
- Results in veneers that are less likely to fracture or fall off
With careful treatment planning and technique, reducing teeth for veneers preserves tooth structure while allowing an exquisite, natural looking smile transformation.
Risks and disadvantages
While tooth shaving for veneers is generally safe when performed by a skilled dentist, there are some disadvantages to consider:
- Permanent removal of enamel that cannot be reversed
- Risk of excessive reduction that can damage the teeth and nerves
- Removal of some natural tooth structure
- Potential tooth sensitivity, especially to cold
- Higher cost when more extensive reshaping is needed
- Need to replace veneers eventually, requiring reduction again
These cons can be minimized by choosing an experienced cosmetic dentist who knows how to be as conservative as possible when reducing teeth. Proper case selection and planning are also key.
Who should not get their teeth shaved?
Tooth shaving is not recommended for every veneers patient. Those who should avoid reduction include:
- Patients with severely worn, fractured or decayed teeth
- Those with very thin enamel to begin with
- Individuals who grind their teeth
- Patients with a deep bite or insufficient space between top and bottom teeth
- Those wanting to avoid any removal of natural tooth structure
- Individuals who will not commit to good oral hygiene to prevent decay under veneers
In select cases, veneers can be placed over unprepared teeth, but may appear bulky as a result. Patients not suitable for shaving may benefit from other cosmetic options like dental bonding or orthodontics.
Consult an expert
The decision to reshape teeth for veneers should be carefully considered between you and your dentist. Make sure to select a highly skilled cosmetic dentist who can provide experienced, conservative treatment planning to achieve your goals while preserving natural tooth structure. With proper technique, you can have stunning veneers that look and feel completely natural.
Conclusion
Most patients do get a small amount of enamel gently removed before dental veneers are placed. This tooth “shaving” or reduction is done to allow for the thickness of the veneer, prevent a bulky appearance, create uniform thickness, and improve bonding. A skilled cosmetic dentist will be as conservative as possible when reducing your natural enamel. While reshaping teeth is generally safe and recommended for veneers, it may not be the best option for everyone. Talk to your dentist to see if you are a good candidate for tooth shaving prior to veneers. With careful planning, veneers can be designed ultra-thin for a flawless and natural looking smile you will love.
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