In the traditional procedure for placing veneers, the dentist gives you a shot of anesthesia, drills away a small portion of the teeth, and then bonds the veneers to the teeth. However, there is a relatively newer method known as no shots and no drilling. Just like the name suggests, the dentist doesn't need to drill your tooth, so there is no need for the shot.

Why it's Possible

The main reason for drilling your tooth before placing the porcelain veneers is so that your tooth doesn't become excessively large after the procedure. This is why the thickness of the enamel removed is likely to be the same as that of the veneer to be placed.

However, the no shots and no drilling technique uses ultra thin veneers. Such veneers will not increase your tooth's size significantly, so you don't need to have it drilled.

Further Advantages

The absence of drilling isn't the only advantage of no shots and no drilling veneer placement. A further advantage is a reduced risk of tooth sensitivity, which may occur if your tooth's enamel is drilled.  Tooth sensitivity is a risk with conventional veneers, which is why those who get the treatment usually have to wear temporary veneers. Apart from that, the dental bond formed when a veneer is placed directly on the tooth's enamel is extremely strong; the same may not be true if most of the enamel is removed.

Potential Problems

The placement of veneers without drilling or having anesthesia shots is a big advantage of ultra-thin veneers, but this doesn't mean that they are without their problems. Some of the concerns you may have with this method include:

• Opaqueness – ultra-thin veneers are opaque. This means they don't allow light to pass through and be reflected off the surface of your tooth. As a result, teeth with this treatment tend not to have the natural whiteness of teeth that most people love.
• Bulkiness – although these veneers are extremely thin, they still add some bulk to your teeth. Thus, there is a risk that your teeth may be bulky enough to interfere with your appearance or speech. The thinner your veneers are, the less this risk is.

Now you have a good overview of ultra-thin veneers, their advantages, and concerns. If you think that this is something you would prefer over conventional veneers, then talk to your dentist about it. Don't forget that you may not be a good candidate for the treatment if your teeth have multiple imperfections that have to be drilled away first.

To learn more, contact a dental clinic like Glendale Dental Group.