Can Veneers Be Removed? Pros, Cons, Costs and FAQs

Can Veneers Be Removed?

Veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin that are bonded to the front of teeth. Getting veneers is a cosmetic procedure done to improve the appearance of teeth that are discolored, chipped, crooked or have gaps between them. While veneers are long-lasting, you may eventually want to have them removed and replaced. So can veneers be removed? The answer is yes, veneers can be removed, but it's not quite as simple as just peeling them off.

Why You May Want Your Veneers Removed

There are several reasons you may need or want to have your veneers taken off:

- Your veneers have become stained or discolored over time. While porcelain veneers resist stains well, some discoloration can still occur after years of use.

- You have veneer damage or cracking. Small cracks in veneers can worsen over time. Heavily damaged veneers likely need to be replaced.

- Your veneers no longer fit properly. As you age, your teeth may shift, causing veneers to become loose or not fit correctly.

- You want to change your veneers. After wearing veneers for many years, you may want to update their size, shape or color.

- You need a dental procedure. Certain dental procedures like teeth whitening can't be performed directly on veneered teeth. The veneers need to be removed first.

- Your veneers are old. Veneers typically last 7-15 years before needing replacement. Older veneers are more likely to stain, chip or develop gaps at the edges.

What to Expect When Getting Veneers Removed

Removing veneers is usually quick and straightforward:

- Your dentist will first examine your veneers to determine what needs to be done. They may take x-rays to evaluate underlying tooth structure.

- Local anesthesia is applied to numb the area before removal. This helps make the process comfortable.

- To remove the veneer, the dentist uses a dental drill to gently roughen the surface of the veneer and underlying cement. This weakens the bond.

- They then use dental tools like a probe and scaler to gradually work the veneer off of the tooth surface and lift it away.

- Once the veneers have been removed, the dentist cleans and polishes the teeth underneath. This gets rid of any remaining cement.

- If you're getting replacement veneers, your dentist will prepare your teeth as needed before taking impressions for the new veneers. Temporary veneers may be placed in the meantime.

- The entire veneer removal and replacement process is usually done over two or three dental visits.

What Happens to Your Teeth Underneath?

You may be wondering what your teeth look like underneath your veneers after they are removed. This depends on how much enamel was present originally versus how much tooth structure was removed to place the veneers.

- Teeth with little removal of original enamel will likely appear minimally affected when veneers are taken off.

- Teeth that had more substantial reshaping before veneering may look somewhat different after veneer removal, such as shorter, smaller, thinner or more rounded.

- In some cases, teeth may be more discolored or have visible cracks or gaps after veneer removal.

- If significant tooth structure loss occurred with veneering, the teeth could be hypersensitive once exposed.

Your dentist will let you know if your teeth have adequate enamel to get replacement veneers or if other options like dental crowns would be better once your veneers are removed.

Possible Complications During Veneer Removal

Removing veneers is generally safe, but minor complications can sometimes occur:

- Tooth sensitivity. Your teeth may be temperature sensitive after veneer removal.

- Enamel loss or cracking. Additional enamel could get removed during the process of taking off veneers.

- Tooth damage. Dental drill contact could lead to pulp irritation or tooth fracture in some cases.

- Residual cement. Leftover cement can irritate gum tissue and require additional cleaning.

- Aesthetic concerns. Teeth may look different after veneers are removed until replacement veneers are done.

Your dentist will be cautious during the removal process and follow up with you afterwards about any issues. Most potential problems are minor and treatable.

Alternatives to Removing Veneers

Instead of taking veneers off entirely, there are some alternative options to consider:

Repairing Cracked or Damaged Veneers

Small cracks, chips or fractures in veneers can sometimes be repaired:

- Your dentist will clean and roughen the damaged spot, then use bonding material to seal the cracked area.

- Composite resin in a matching color is layered onto the damaged veneer and hardened with a curing light.

- The repaired section is then smoothed and polished to match the rest of the veneer.

Veneer repair can extend their lifespan, but heavily damaged veneers still usually need to be replaced fully.

Rebonding Loose Veneers

If you have a veneer that feels loose, it may just need to be rebonded:

- Your dentist will thoroughly clean the veneer and underlying tooth.

- They use an etching solution and dental adhesive to roughen and prepare the surface.

- The veneer is then carefully placed back onto the prepared tooth.

- Excess cement is removed before it fully hardens, and the occlusion is checked.

Rebonding can often secure a loose veneer temporarily, but a replacement veneer likely offers better long-term stability.

Getting Veneers Recolored

Over time, veneers can become stained or discolored. Professional recoloring provides an alternative to removal:

- A powerful peroxide gel is applied to the veneer surface to bleach away discoloration.

- For more significant staining, porcelain veneers can be drilled to remove outer enamel then professionally polished.

- Your dentist can also apply new tinted resin coating to refresh the color of stained veneers.

Recoloring can camouflage mild to moderate veneer discoloration, but may not fully brighten very darkened or yellowed veneers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does It Take to Remove Veneers?

It usually takes around 30-60 minutes to remove a single veneer or several veneers in one dental visit. The procedure is faster if your veneers are only cemented lightly versus being bonded more extensively.

Is It Painful to Get Veneers Taken Off?

Having your veneers removed should not be painful thanks to effective local anesthesia. You may have some temperature sensitivity for a short time afterwards from the underlying enamel being exposed.

Do Your Natural Teeth Get Damaged When Removing Veneers?

With careful removal by an experienced dentist, there's minimal risk of damage to your natural teeth. Enamel loss or cracking is possible but unlikely if proper technique is used during the veneer removal process.

Can You Whiten Your Teeth After Removing Veneers?

Yes, once your veneers are removed you can undergo professional teeth whitening if desired before getting replacement veneers. This helps lighten any discoloration for the best color match with new veneers.

Is It Worth It to Remove and Replace Old Veneers?

If your veneers are still in good condition without damage or decay, keeps them and save the cost of new veneers. But with cracked, worn or poorly matched veneers, removal and replacement gives you the opportunity to restore a beautiful smile.

The Takeaway

While durable, veneers don't last forever. If your veneers are damaged or you want

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.