12 February 2025

Considering Veneers? Here Are the Answers to Your Biggest Concerns

Have you ever thought you’d love to have that classic “Hollywood smile”? If so, you may have considered dental veneers.

Consisting of wafer-thin shells of porcelain or composite resin bonded to the front of the tooth enamel, dental veneers are a proven and popular way of improving the appearance of the smile. At the same time, they help protect the treated teeth from further damage.

However, you may understandably have a lot of questions about veneers. How do dental veneers work, for example? Do dental veneers stain the teeth? Are they even permanent?

Below, our clinicians at Knighton Dental address frequent queries like these.

How do dental veneers work?

A dental veneer treatment works as follows: a client consultation takes place, and then the planning stage, and the creation of 3D digital scans and photographs. This allows for the customised veneers to be created.

The tooth is prepared for the procedure with the removal of a small amount of enamel from the front surface. This makes room for the veneer, which is then carefully placed onto the tooth. A special adhesive cement is used to bond the veneer to the tooth, producing a beautiful result.

Are dental veneers permanent?

Dental veneers don’t last forever. Their typical longevity is around five to seven years for composite veneers, and approximately 10 to 15 years in the case of porcelain veneers. After this, the veneers will need to be replaced.

Various factors – such as the quality of the original treatment, and the patient’s oral hygiene practices and dietary habits – will affect how long the veneers last.

Do dental veneers stain?

The non-porous nature of porcelain veneers makes them highly resistant to staining.

Veneers made from composite resin, on the other hand, are more porous. This can lead to them absorbing pigments from coloured substances such as tea, coffee, and red wine. If, then, these are the veneers you have, you may need to arrange for more frequent polishing.

Is there a downside to veneers?

Dental veneers won’t be the right solution for every patient and situation. They can be expensive, particularly if you opt for porcelain veneers. They are also mainly a cosmetic treatment, so they might not be suitable if you have severe dental problems.

It is worth bearing in mind, too, that some patients experience greater tooth sensitivity after having veneers placed.

Can you go back to normal teeth after composite veneers?

Technically, you can have your veneers removed. However, because the enamel originally removed can’t regrow, your teeth won’t look the same as they did prior to having veneers placed. They may also be weaker and more sensitive than your original natural teeth.

However, if at any stage you wish to have your veneers removed, you do have the option of arranging for them to be replaced with new ones. You could also choose to undergo another type of dental treatment.

So, to answer the question, “can you go back to normal teeth after composite veneers?”, no you can’t – but you do have a lot of options.

To discover the treatment approach that makes most sense for you, whether you are considering dental veneers or an alternative procedure, please contact our clinic in Leicester via phone or email today.