If you are considering porcelain veneers–also called dental veneers–to improve the appearance of your smile, you want to understand all aspects of the procedure. You might wonder, for example, whether you can remove them if you don’t like the results.
Technically, veneers come in a range of options, some that are removable and replaceable, while others are permanent and irreversible. Veneers can be divided into three categories: removable, reversible, and permanent. With this range of options, you can choose styles of veneers that you can easily remove.
The truth is, however, that the more removable veneers are, the more likely you are to want to remove them. If you are looking for beautiful, long-lasting results from your porcelain veneers, you might have to accept that you can’t remove them. This means taking time to consider your options and working with a skilled and experienced cosmetic dentist Like Dr. Rod Strober at Country Club Dentistry.
Removable Veneers
Removable veneers are veneers that you can put on and take off whenever you want. This type of veneer is typically sold as a full set that slides over your natural teeth, concealing them. They have names that emphasize their removable nature, calling themselves snap-in, or slip-on, etc. These tend to be very low-quality, though they aren’t all the same low quality.
At the bottom end of this type of veneer, there are some that have a boil-and-bite base that you can potentially use to fit them over your smile at home. Others ask you to provide impressions that you mail in. Neither of these tend to work very well. The fit is generally poor, and the appearance is little better than the costume teeth you buy at a novelty store, if at all.
More expensive, and a little more effective are the removable veneers that a dentist might fit for you. These aren’t great, but they usually fit, at least.
The material used for this type of veneer tends to be a soft plastic. Even if these veneers do fit and look reasonable enough to go out in public with them on, they are not usually suitable for eating with.
This type of veneer does not provide the reliable quality results we want for our patients, so we do not offer them at Country Club Dentistry.
Reversible Veneers
A dentist can place reversible veneers and remove them. However, you can’t simply take off at any time.
There are two main types of reversible veneers: composite veneers and ceramic no-prep or low-prep veneers.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are made of an initially soft material that includes both plastic and ceramic. The plastic lets the material start as a shapeable, even flowable, material that can then harden. The ceramic adds strength and beauty. With composite veneers, a dentist shapes the material around your natural teeth. Other than a light acid etch to improve bonding, your teeth aren’t altered at all. This means that if you want, you can have the composite removed and reveal your natural smile again. After a polish, your teeth should look good as new.
BioClear is a high-quality form of composite veneer. The composite is heated so it can flow into a mold around your tooth. This helps the composite form a more solid mass that’s more stain-resistant, odor-resistant, and stronger than other types of composite veneers. The flowable composite also helps the veneers look natural, letting them fit around your teeth without adding extra bulk.
Composite veneers are a good way to get results without making a full commitment to veneers. Many people try composite veneers before deciding to get permanent veneers.
No-Prep or Low-Prep Veneers
No-Prep or Low-Prep veneers are ceramic veneers designed to fit over your natural teeth without “preparing” them, i.e. removing natural tooth material to make room for the veneers. These use advanced materials, and can be very expensive. In some cases, they can get reasonable results. And, if you had a truly no-prep procedure, a dentist can reverse these veneers, giving you back your old smile.
However, no-prep veneers have some inherent limitations.First, no matter how thin they are, this type of veneer will build up your natural teeth noticeably. This is not always a problem. If you have naturally small teeth, you might appreciate the additional bulk. However, if you have normal or large teeth, the increased size of your teeth makes them look (and often feel) bulky in your mouth. Plus, because these veneers are so thin, they have to be relatively opaque–light-stopping–to conceal discolored teeth. This can make them look fake because natural teeth are translucent–they let light penetrate.
This type of veneer does not provide the reliable quality results we want for our patients, so we choose not to offer them at Country Club Dentistry.
Permanent Veneers
Permanent veneers are designed to be worn for life. If you decide to or have to remove them, you should replace them with new veneers. These are typically what we mean when we talk about “porcelain veneers.”
Porcelain veneers are ceramic shells designed to fit over your natural teeth, giving an attractive appearance and functional bite. To make them look natural, they must be translucent, which means they have to be thick enough to keep discolored and otherwise unattractive teeth from showing through. To make room for their thickness, a dentist removes some of your natural tooth enamel. As a result, your teeth won’t look very attractive without the veneers.
However, this isn’t a big concern for most people, and the new attractive veneers give them the smile of their dreams. Veneers are also very durable, usually lasting more than 10 years, and sometimes up to 20 years. In our smile gallery, you can see the results we can achieve with porcelain veneers and understand why people don’t want to remove quality veneers.
Learn More about Veneers in Rancho Mirage
If you’re unhappy with your smile and you are looking to brighten and/or reshape your teeth, veneers are a great choice. If you aren’t sure you want to commit and want a reversible option, BioClear is a good alternative, but for longer-lasting quality results, choose permanent porcelain veneers.
Please call (760) 832-7915 today for an appointment with cosmetic dentist Dr. Rod Strober at Country Club Dentistry in Rancho Mirage.
