How much (in millimeters) can veneers be shortened?

Question

If I already had veneers placed, how much can they be shortened? Obviously a minimal amount, but would it be less than a millimeter? Half of a millimeter? I would like a ball park idea so I know whether I should ask to have them shortened, or entirely remade. I would be happy with a subtle change though, one millimeter shorter or less.

Sarah Thompson, DMD · Answer

I would suggest that you visit the office of a cosmetic dentist and explain to him/her that you would like to shorten your veneers.  He/she will likely take an x-ray to determine the amount, if any, can be taken off of the tips of them.  In general, it is likely that they can be shortened by 0.5 mm or less without a problem, but the bigger question is will you notice the change?  Veneers are what I do, so "Follow" me if you have more questions about them.Sarah Thompson, DMD

Michael Tam, BDS · Answer

Very tiny adjustments
can usually be made, depending on how and where the teeth bite together. If
your adjustments are less than a mm, then it should be no problem to have your
dentist make the alterations. If not, they can let you know right away why not.

David May, DDS · Answer

Your veneers will usually be at least 1mm longer than the tooth underneath.  If they were made because you had shorter teeth to begin with, then there should be even more that could be shortened.  Your dentist should know this and if you are seeing someone new, they should be able to tell with an xray.

Norman Huefner, DDS · Answer

A lot depends on how short the teeth were to begin with and how much they were prepared (drilled to shape that accepts veneers).  The dentist who did the veneers might have models of how long your teeth were to begin with and also models of how they were prepared that the lab used to make your veneers.So, I don't think an answer could be given without knowing those two things or else seeing your veneers in person.  Remember, the shorter the veneers are shortened, the weaker the edges may be and then more prone to breakage.  Also, by shortening too much the edge will be thicker and it may destroy the overall shape.I'm not saying that you can't have them shortened, just that there a lot to be considered.

Donald L. Wilcox, DDS · Answer

The simple answer is yes they can be shortened.  How much they can be shortened would be dependent upon how much porcelain is on the biting edge of your veneers. Hopefully enough porcelain is present to accomplish your appearance goals and not require a remake.

Scott Greenhalgh, DDS · Answer

Yes, once veneers are bonded to your tooth they are very strong and can tolerate being shortened. However, you may have a different issue-right now it sounds like you think your new veneers are too long.Before you have anything done to your veneers, there are a few ways that an experienced cosmetic dentist can help you preview that before removing porcelain.A great cosmetic dentist can take a photo and then photoshop the edges of your teeth to give a shorter look. You can compare the before and afters in the photos to see if that is close to the result you are aiming for.Another way to preview a change is that the cosmetic dentist can use a dark marker to "blackout" some length. This creates the optical illusion that they are shorter.I'd spend some time in the evaluation, preview and communication phase BEFORE having any grinding off of the porcelain. Once it is gone-that's it.

Soheyla Marzvaan, DDS (retired) · Answer

It all depends on the thickness of the porcelain veneers that you start with. If your teeth  were perfectly healthy but short, if your bite allows, you can reduce about .5 mm-1 mm and still be OK. However, if you had bite issues, lack of what we call "freeway space" where your teeth need to have a initial opening distance and angle when biting,  then it will not be a good idea to shorten the veneer as they get thin and fracture.

Lance Timmerman, DMD, MAGD - Account Suspended · Answer

Normally, 0.5 to 1.0 mm is not a big deal, but if the veneers are very thin this adjustment makes them even thinner, perhaps even prone to fracture.  Some of the ceramist's characterizations that are placed in the veneers (incisal translucency) will be removed by making veneers shorter, so be careful.

How much (in millimeters) can veneers be shortened?

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