When getting veneers for the first time most patients will have enamel removed from the surface of the tooth and then the veneers which are thin shells of material will then be fitted to the surface of the tooth. What if veneers need replacing? Does enamel need to be removed from the tooth again?

Why does enamel need to be removed?

1. When the surface of the tooth is smooth then it’s difficult for the veneer to be attached. By removing some enamel and making the surface rough the veneer will fit much better and won’t become loose as easily.

2. If veneers were directly fitted to the teeth without removing any enamel the overall look would be very unnatural as the teeth would look very thick. In terms of aesthetics it would not be very attractive.

Can veneers be replaced when damaged? When getting veneers done of the second time does enamel need to be removed again?

Generally speaking regardless of composite or porcelain veneers that are damaged or have fallen off can all be replaced. When removing the damaged veneers, composite veneers can be removed more easily than porcelain veneers. Veneers need to be removed by professional dental clinics. Whether or not enamel needs to be removed for the second time will depend on the situation of the teeth and the veneer material chosen.

If the veneers has just fallen off recently then there is no need to remove enamel again, if the veneer has fallen off for a long time then there is the need to do some work on the tooth. The reason behind this is to make sure that the thickness and staying ability. For veneers that are used to cover discoloration then the veneer will have to be thicker to prevent the color from showing through. The thinner the veneer the less enamel needs to be removed. Even if enamel needs to be removed for the second time there is no need to worry as it’s only a small layer from the surface of the tooth.