By EKalman April 24, 2023 - 1:15am

Along with those who already have veneers, there are many more who would like to have them to improve their appearance. No wonder, these people have a lot of questions about this dental procedure. One particular concern is what happens to the teeth beneath the veneers. Read on to find out more about dental veneers.

What are the veneers?
For starters, veneers are made of different materials, but porcelain and composite resin are the most popular among them.

Porcelain veneers are wafer-like shells placed on the front surface of a patient's tooth. The veneer of composite resin material molds onto the tooth to produce a fake surface that appears natural.

Preparation and application
Before putting a veneer, your cosmetic dentist will need to prepare your tooth's surface to create a smooth, natural-looking smile with no unattractive protrusions.

In most circumstances, around half a millimeter of the tooth's surface will be shaved before your veneer treatment. This is a simple, outpatient procedure that does not jeopardize the integrity of your tooth or raise your risk of dental decay.

After the tooth heals, the veneers adheres to the surface with a strong bonding glue that hardens under a specific light. The bonding glue attaches to the tooth enamel, filling any spaces where germs could penetrate and damage the tooth.

Usually, your natural teeth should never deteriorate beneath your veneers once they are put. However, you must select a trustworthy cosmetic dentist to apply them appropriately, and then you must take good care of your veneers on a daily basis.

The underlying teeth
You should know that nothing terrible happens to the underlying tooth or teeth. A dentist simply needs to remove a small piece of enamel, so nerves and roots are not affected. The person's natural teeth merely serve as a base for the new veneers.

Can you put veneers on a bad tooth?
Veneers cannot be applied to rotten or deteriorating teeth. Veneers are purely cosmetic restorations used to improve the appearance of healthy teeth. Cavities and other forms of tooth decay must be treated initially, or the disease will worsen.

If you want to improve the appearance of a damaged or weak tooth, a crown is a better choice. It gives the desired appearance while providing structural strength for the tooth. In addition, the all-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns match the natural color of the teeth far better than other crowns and seem incredibly natural.

If the tooth cannot be salvaged, your dentist may propose a full extraction followed by a dental implant to replace the missing tooth. Each case is unique, and your dentist can assist you in determining the best course of action.

How to detect teeth deterioration beneath veneers
The veneer just protects the front of the tooth. Tartar and plaque can still accumulate on the rest of the tooth, which leads to rotting and cavities.

There are a few signs of possible rotting teeth under veneers. You may feel the loosening of your tooth or veneer, and sensitivity to hot, cold, or pressure. The feeling of a sore tooth, and sore, sensitive, or infected gums can also be the signs of a rotting tooth under the veneer. If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your dentist immediately.

If the tooth is decaying, the veneer will usually need to be removed so that the decay may be treated by the dentist. If the tooth can be saved, the veneer can be replaced. If the tooth structure cannot be fixed, the dentist will advise you on other options for restoring your smile.

The results
Any dentist will do all that is possible to save a person's natural teeth. That is one of the reasons why so many dentists recommend veneers to their patients. This technique does not harm a person's natural teeth. However, it can improve your smile and, in some cases, your bite.

You no longer have to be self-conscious about your teeth, thanks to veneers. This is a painless and effective dental remedy.