Can Porcelain Veneers Be Reshaped?
Porcelain veneers conceal cosmetic blemishes to improve the appearance of the smile. They can enhance a smile marred by discoloration, dental stains, chips, cracks, fractures, and minor misalignment problems. Porcelain veneers can be customized by size, color, and shape, depending on each patient’s unique needs.
Porcelain veneers must be shaped properly so that they blend in with untreated teeth and complement a person’s facial features. At his Kansas City, MO, dental practice, Dr. John Goodman is sometimes asked about reshaping porcelain veneers. Here, Dr. Goodman explains how he gets the right shape for porcelain veneers, and what can be done if patients are dissatisfied with the shape of their veneers.
Getting the Right Shape for Your Porcelain Veneers
Dr. Goodman uses experience and artistic skill to design veneers that look natural and attractive for his patients. He takes many factors into consideration when selecting the shape, size, and color of a patient’s veneers. Considerations include the appearance of adjacent teeth, facial proportions, and facial symmetry.
During the planning phase of porcelain veneers treatment, photos and lab-fabricated diagnostic wax-ups are used to demonstrate how completed veneers will look on the teeth. This thorough planning process allows Dr. Goodman to create veneers that are shaped appropriately for each patient so that the need for reshaping is rare.
Reshaping Before Veneers Placement
After the planning phase of treatment, design specifications are sent to a dental laboratory where the veneers are fabricated. Patients return for veneer placement when their permanent veneers are complete.
Dr. Goodman tests the shape and fit of porcelain veneers before permanently bonding them to a patient’s teeth. In most cases, completed veneers fit properly and meet aesthetic expectations. If veneers require reshaping, it is best to do so before they are bonded to the teeth. Prior to placement, Dr. Goodman can add or remove porcelain to the veneers, as necessary, to achieve the desired shape. Reshaping can also be done to smooth out the edge of veneers or give the veneers a more rounded or square appearance.
Reshaping After Veneers Placement
In very rare cases, patients come to our Kansas City dental practice asking about reshaping porcelain veneers that have already been bonded to the teeth. In some cases, it is possible to make minor alterations to the shape of placed porcelain veneers. It may be possible to file the edge of the veneers slightly to remove a small amount of length or to alter the corners of the veneers a bit. However, generally speaking, porcelain veneers cannot be reshaped after treatment is complete.
If reshaping is desired after porcelain veneers have been permanently bonded, it is often necessary to remove the veneers and replace them with new ones. The procedure for replacing veneers is very similar to the initial treatment process and can usually be completed in two dental appointments.
Contact Us
Porcelain veneers address a wide range of cosmetic imperfections to give you the smile you have always wanted. If you are interested in learning more about porcelain veneers treatment, send us a message online or call our Kansas City dental practice at (816) 842-8585.
