Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of a natural tooth. They are a popular cosmetic solution for addressing discoloration, minor misalignment, or chipping. While the focus is often on aesthetics, the procedure permanently alters the underlying tooth structure. Understanding these changes is important because the health of the natural tooth remains the foundation for the veneer’s long-term success and durability.
The Tooth Preparation Process
The most significant change occurs during the preparation process, which involves careful contouring of the tooth’s front surface. This modification creates adequate space for the veneer material, ensuring the final restoration does not appear bulky or unnatural. A precise amount of the hard outer layer, the enamel, must be removed so the veneer sits flush with the gum line. For traditional porcelain veneers, preparation typically involves reducing 0.3 to 0.7 millimeters of enamel—roughly the thickness of a fingernail. Once this enamel is removed, the tooth structure is permanently altered and will always require a protective covering, making the procedure non-reversible.
Maintaining Tooth Health Post-Veneer Placement
The natural tooth tissue beneath the veneer remains alive and is susceptible to decay. The most vulnerable area is the margin, the precise border where the veneer meets the natural tooth structure, often at the gum line. If the cement seal is compromised, bacteria can penetrate underneath the restoration, leading to secondary caries. This decay progresses rapidly because the protective enamel layer has been thinned during preparation. Regular dental examinations and proper home care, including daily flossing and brushing, are necessary to monitor the margins and prevent underlying issues.
Sensitivity and Nerve Response
Increased tooth sensitivity is common following the preparation and bonding appointments. This sensation is primarily due to the reduction of the enamel layer, which temporarily exposes microscopic channels, known as dentinal tubules, to the oral environment. These channels lead directly to the pulp, causing sensitivity when exposed to hot or cold temperatures. For most patients, this sensitivity is transient and resolves naturally within a few days to a couple of weeks as the nerve adjusts. Sensitivity that is sharp, throbbing, or persists beyond a few weeks may indicate a deeper problem, such as a bonding issue or, in rare cases, inflammation of the pulp.
Addressing Veneer Failure or Removal
Although veneers are durable, they can occasionally fail due to chipping, fracture, or debonding. When a veneer separates, the underlying tooth surface is immediately exposed, revealing the roughened, prepared enamel or dentin. This exposed tooth looks visibly smaller, is cosmetically altered, and becomes extremely sensitive to air and temperature changes. The prepared tooth cannot be left unprotected and immediately requires a new restoration. If the veneer is intact, a dentist may re-bond it; otherwise, the tooth must be covered with a temporary veneer while a new custom restoration is fabricated.