Bulky Veneers, I Just Want my Old Smile Back, is This Possible?

Question

Hello, About 5 years ago after a accent I had 6 veneers fitted to my teeth. I've been self conscious about them since, I really don't like the look, they're bulky and bigger than my old teeth. Would it be possible to have the old veneers replaced and new ones made that look like the old teeth? I've read you really need 8 or 10 veneers for a smile. I don't want to get into anymore tooth destruction, so if I stuck with just replacing the 6, would it be possible to get them looking like old?

Norman Huefner, DDS · Answer

One of the reasons that so many dentists place bulky veneers is that they didn't do enough tooth preparation.  In most cases, if the dentists do no or very little drilling (tooth preparation) the veneers will end up way to thick.

	The answer is "yes", your old veneers can be removed and new veneers placed.  This is easy to do.  Don't be afraid, the dentist isn't going to pull or hammer them off!  Just a little gentle novocain and the old veneers will drill off very easily and the process of removing them will not damage your underlying teeth.

	There is a relatively new porcelain material that we are using now that is extremely strong, very natural looking, and yet can be made very thin.  It is called Emax porcelain and I would highly recommend Emax.  My guess is that your dentist used an older type of porcelain, called feldspathic, and possibly no or minimal prep Lumineers, which oftentimes end up looking too bulky.  Don't believe me?  Do a google search under images and see how many porcelain veneers look too thick and don't look very natural.  Most of the time those were no-prep or minimal prep veneers.

	Regarding the number of teeth, it depends on how many teeth you show and what color you want them?  If you only show the six front teeth from the side, then you could just have the six veneers placed.  If you show the side teeth, and like their color, then again, you could just have six veneers placed.  However, most people show 8, 10 or even sometimes 12 of their upper teeth and most commonly don't like the color of the side teeth they show and want whiter teeth.  Thus, most patients who want whiter teeth and a natural, good looking, naturally proportioned smile makeover will ultimaely choose to do at least eight porcelain veneers.

Ali Shojania, DDS · Answer

DEfinately change them to thin veneers like lumineers; also if the look big, it might be because you chose a whiter shade which make them look bigger; go half to whole shade yellower. they can not make it bigger horizontally; but they can make it longer vertically; which it can easily be grinded and polished to desired size. Good luck :-)

Bulky Veneers, I Just Want my Old Smile Back, is This Possible?

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Bulky Veneers, I Just Want my Old Smile Back, is This Possible?

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Everything you need to know about Porcelain Veneers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.