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Dental Diminishing: How Much Enamel Is Removed for Veneers?

May 6, 2025

Filed under: Uncategorized — whiteclayteam @ 5:19 pm
Closeup of cement being applied to veneer placed on thinned enamel

One of the first things people notice about you is the quality of your smile, and if yours is riddled with flaws, you might worry about being judged. Issues like stubborn stains, chips and cracks, small gaps, or even mild misalignments can make you feel self-conscious about your appearance.

Fortunately, your dentist can place porcelain veneers to mask one or more aesthetic concerns in your grin. However, for them to fit correctly, your dentist must remove a small amount of enamel. Continue reading to learn why and how much is removed so you know what to expect!

What Are Veneers?

Veneers are thin shells made from resilient ceramic that are cemented to the front surfaces of your teeth to hide unsightly imperfections. They’re a versatile solution that can mask one or several concerns at the same time.

Not only that, but these durable covers can be customized to be just the right hue, shape, and size for seamless results once they’re bonded in place. Plus, they’re less porous than your enamel, and therefore better able to resist chips, cracks, and additional discoloration.

Why Are Teeth Prepped for Veneers?

Many patients don’t realize that a small amount of enamel must be removed for veneers to fit correctly. Although they’re considered quite thin, they do have a width of about 0.5 mm. If your dentist were to cement them over your tooth as-is, it will look bulky and awkward next to neighboring teeth.

Also, removing enamel creates texture that gives the bonding material extra hold to increase the likelihood of a successful procedure.

How Much Enamel is Removed for Veneers?

Enamel is the hardest substance in the human body and safeguards your smile by preventing cavities, injuries, and disease. Also, once it’s thinned, it doesn’t regenerate. That means getting veneers necessitates an irreversible change to the structure of your teeth that leaves them somewhat more vulnerable to oral issues. Rest assured, your dentist will conserve as much of your tooth as possible and will likely only remove about 0.2 to 0.5 mm of enamel from the surface area.

Many patients don’t mind this permanent change because their restorations are strong enough to protect the underlying teeth from potential harm. Plus, veneers often last anywhere from 10 to 20+ years if cared for correctly, making them an excellent long-term investment that can simultaneously improve your appearance while safeguarding your smile!

If you’re eager to enhance your smile and are unsure whether veneers are right for you, scheduling a cosmetic consultation with your dentist is the best way to find out!

About the Practice

The team at White Clay Dental Associates has been helping families in Newark build and maintain happy, healthy smiles for over 50 years. Today, Dr. Bond and Dr Ganfield collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages, including cosmetics, like porcelain veneers. They take the time to get to know you and your unique concerns, then they utilize state-of-the-art equipment to deliver personalized treatment plans. If you want to upgrade your grin with veneers, you can request an appointment on the website or call (302) 731-4225.