Just about the biggest veneer prep myth out there is that these tooth coverings require the teeth to be ground down to nubs. We consistently have clients ask us if their teeth will be ground away to add veneers when they're considering the procedure. Because we want our clients to be informed, we're here to debunk this myth - hopefully once and for all.
As "one of the best dental offices for veneers in Staten Island", we take the procedure seriously. That includes ensuring that people understand what the procedure is, what is done during the procedure, and what isn't done. So let's talk about how veneers work.
Veneers are thin shells of porcelain that are layered onto each tooth. This porcelain covering both improves the aesthetic of the smile as well as protects the teeth. Unlike tooth whitening which has to be done every 6 months to a year, veneers are a permanent cosmetic procedure designed to remain in place for the rest of the patient's life, and they can't be reversed.
Veneers are often recommended to clients who have cosmetic issues that can't be corrected with whitening, filling, or other such methods. In general, veneers are used to correct spacing between the teeth, alignment issues, changing the shape of the teeth, and covering severely stained teeth and cracked teeth.
A reputable dentist will often offer other corrective methods that are available and viable before moving to veneers as they aren't reversible. Once the procedure is done, it's done. That's why it's used to correct things that aren't able to be corrected by any other means.
Veneer prep involves reshaping the tooth surface by shaving off a thin layer of the tooth exterior that is as equal as possible to the thickness of the veneer. It only takes a very thin layer to make space for the veneer surface. Once the surface is prepped, an adhesive is added and the veneer is set into place and bonded to the tooth.
As "one of the best dental offices for veneers in Staten Island" this is the myth that we most want to debunk - prepping for veneers in no way grinds away your teeth. This myth is most likely the result of people confusing veneer prep with crown or bridge prep, and has been an extremely popular debate on social media platforms such as TikTok. Yes, in some cases you may need to shave down a little more if the tooth is badly damaged, but grinding them down to nubs or "toothpicks" is a tad bit aggressive and we try to avoid unnecessary shaving down of the teeth at all costs. In fact, the porcelain veneer will adhere better to a tooth with more surface area than not.
So all in all, preparing your teeth for veneers absolutely does not require your teeth to be ground down drastically. It is 100% unnecessary in most cases and is rarely done (at least at our office). That type of grinding is used for some crowns and for preparing teeth to receive a bridge.
If you have questions about veneer prep, when veneers are the right choice, or any other questions about this procedure, we'd love to help you navigate the process and decide if it's right for you. Give us a call and schedule a consultation. We'd love to hear from you.
