Can veneers be shaved down from the side? Front veneer is covering the tooth next to it making my tooth look way too big.(photo)

Question

I severely chipped my two top front teeth. I just had permanent veneers put on both teeth. The front left veneer covers much of the tooth next to it which was not the case when I had my temporary veneers. This makes my tooth look way too big. Is it possible to shave down the veneer (on the side) so its not covering the tooth next to it? Possibly shave the veneer then add bonding?

Sarah Thompson, DMD · Answer

I have no idea how your teeth looked prior to your veneers, so I can not say for certain that your dentist did a botched job.  I would say that you may want to get your veneers redone, considering they appear not match your other teeth enough.  I would not recommend shaving them; I would just replace them.  Good luck and I hope this helps. Follow me if you have more questions.Sarah Thompson, DMDSt. Louis, MO area (O'Fallon, IL)Real Self 100

David C. Geen, DDS · Answer

While it is possible to re-contour
porcelain restorations once they are cemented, there is a certain risk of
damage to the porcelain occurring and even with great care this can potentially
result.  The use of high speed rotary diamond instruments can be used to
recontour porcelain and these in conjunction with various slow speed polishers can bring a
certain amount of the luster back, but it isn't truly the same as the glaze
covering the surface which you will be removing (that glaze is the final
addition when the porcelain restoration was fired in the oven at well over 1000
degrees Fahrenheit and so can't be replaced in the mouth).  Areas of porcelain that do not have
glaze, or which are not highly polished, will be more likely to pick up stain.

One of the risks is that the
porcelain restoration can potentially develop a crack or fracture, and in many
cases that would ultimately lead to it needing replacement, and with that the
challenges of remaking one restoration to match another (it is much easier when
multiple teeth are fabricated simultaneously).  Also, without being able to measure how thick the
restoration is in the area you are adjusting (and this really is not possible
once the restoration has been cemented unless you have access to the original
working models that the restorations were made from), there would be a greater risk of perforating the restoration if
a substantial change was being made (and so creating a hole in the porcelain in
which tooth or cement shows through).

From a practicality point of view, it
is very difficult, and then at some point not possible, to get these polishing
instruments in between the teeth as you approach the area where one tooth
touches the neighboring adjacent tooth (we call this area the facial
embrasure).  So there are limits to what can be done unless someone
willingly opens up space between the porcelain restoration and the adjacent
tooth which, as you alluded to, would then require adding some sort of
restorative material to the adjacent tooth if it is a natural tooth.

Ultimately the decision to be made by
you is whether the potential for improvement to the shape is worth taking on
the risk of damaging the restoration. 
Perhaps it is if you really are not happy.

I hope this information helps in your
decision-making.  Best of luck!  Dr. Geen

Leonard Tau, DMD · Answer

Sorry to hear about your concerns for the veneers that you had placed.  There is room for improving these veneers esthetically. The veneers need to be removed and remade. In my office we do a lot of planning for the veneers with a waxup from the laboratory so you know what the teeth look like.  I would also suggest making sure you are happy with the results that you have before they are permanently bonded into place. Veneers are done to make your smile esthetically pleasing, unfortunately these do not and need to be remade.  Good luck and if I can be of any assistance being in Philadelphia myself please call my office

Vicki Borowski, DDS · Answer

I agree with you. There is room for improving these veneers esthetically. The veneers need to be removed and remade. Next time  I would also suggest looking at them before they are bonded. It is much easier to make corrections to veneers before they are bonded. Veneers should blend with all of your other teeth, not call your attention to them. They are meant to enhance your smile. These do not.

Gary Braunstein, DDS · Answer

Your two front teeth look too large due to several design problems with the veneers covering them.  They are definitely too wide and too bulky, as you have noticed.  They are also too white in relation to your other teeth.  This contrast will always make the whiter teeth appear larger than the darker shades teeth. The veneers also appear over contoured and bulky.  The best way to correct these problems is to remove and remake the veneers properly.  You should discuss your concerns and dissatisfaction with the dentist that placed the veneers, giving him a chance to correct the problems and give you the smile you thought you were going to get.  You should definitely discuss color.  If you want your teeth as white as the original veneers, you should consider doing all the upper teeth that show when you smile.  This is usually 8 or 10 teeth.  If this is out of your budget, consider a shade that better matches your other teeth.   This will give you a much more and indiscernible looking veneer and natural looking smile.  Veneers should look look good and last a long time.  This is what you paid for and this is what you should get.  Don't settle for a compromise of shaving down the existing veneers...I don't  think you will ever be happy with the results if done in this way. Dr. Gary BraunsteinEncinitas/Carlsbad California

Lance Timmerman, DMD, MAGD - Account Suspended · Answer

The best treatment is to remake the veneers. Bonding composite on after the porcelain is shaved down will not last very long at all, so when these get remade, have a diagnostic wax up created.  This allows the lab to design the case and let you see it before you start.  Not all labs are the same, so it may take some homework from your dentist to find a lab capable.You are right, these could be better.

German Arzate, DDS - Account Suspended · Answer

you will need to get new veneers, its complicated to make changes over glued veneers, next time you make them, let the doctor, glue them temporary before getting permanent veneers . the 2 front teeth are the most complex teeth to restore aesthetically.

Can veneers be shaved down from the side? Front veneer is covering the tooth next to it making my tooth look way too big.(photo)

Answers (7)

More Porcelain Veneers Questions

Porcelain veneers have hairline cracks on them a week after placement. Any suggestions? (photos)

I am TOTALLY confused as to whether I should go with LAVA Plus or E-MAX veneers? Please opinions! (photos)

Replacing veneer & stain/discolor of veneer (Photo)

8 upper porcelain veneers 10 wks ago, cant bite anything with front teeth, so painful and sensitive, what can i do?

Can veneers fix my smile (missing lateral incisors)? (Photo)

My Dentist used white cement as my veneers came out darker than asked for. Is this okay? They appear shiny?

WE SEND PRETTY
EMAILS