Do veneers ruin your teeth?

This is one of the most commonly asked questions about Cosmetic Dentistry. 
The answer is, in short, porcelain veneers do not ruin your teeth. In fact, with porcelain veneers, we have the opportunity to solve aesthetic problems like shape and colour issues without damaging the natural teeth structure. 

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So, how are porcelain veneers done?

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At the beginning of every treatment, we take diagnostic documentation like pictures, videos, and impressions, then carefully analyse the patient’s facial and dental structures. Next, we plan the treatment by using Digital Smile Design protocols and create a custom-made prototype smile. After that, we place the model into the patients' mouth to assess the final outcome. The thickness of veneers is between 0.5  and 1mm, so once the patient approves the design of their new smile, we prepare the teeth for the veneers to sit correctly. We do that with the prototype in the mouth in order to prevent unnecessary reduction of the enamel tissue. Tooth preparation is minimally invasive for a very good reason. Let me explain why. Teeth are covered in a hard substance called enamel. Under the enamel there is the dentin, which is much softer. To ensure adhesion strength, we need to make sure we attach the veneers to the hardest tissue of the tooth: the enamel. That's why we need to preserve the valuable enamel tissue rather than ruining it. In other words, less tooth preparation means healthier and more durable veneers, and this is what digital smile design aims for. Finally, I would like to finish by ensuring you that veneers are one of the least invasive dental procedures.