Laser dental veneer removal is possible

Laser dental veneer removal with a laser is a possibility with the right tools and some luck. In my hands it takes too long and the possible benefits are too small. We can safely remove dental veneers without a laser but this is certainly a nice trick to have in your pocket.

Research on laser dental veneer removal

When it comes to laser veneer removal Hornbrook has a lot of information.  If you have an Erbium:YAG (VersaWave, DEKA, Fotona Lightwalker, AdvErl Evo) or Chromium:YAG (Bilase – Waterlase, IPlus) laser, or know someone close to you who does, you can probably remove a veneer without damage. Erbium:YAG is the same as Er:YAG and Chromium:YAG is the same as Er:CrYSGG. When a veneer is partially loose, you can usually get them off easily.  If for some reason you are trying to take it off because shade of cement was wrong or you didn’t get it down all the way, just beware that there is a 30% fracture rate. A comprehensive review by Kellesarian in 2018 has all the studies.

Video on the technique of laser dental veneer removal.

Here is a video on laser veneer removal youtube.com. However, that video shows a veneer that was likely close to coming off on it’s own. As Dr. Hornbrook states the tooth shows signs of leakage and bonding failure all along the margin. The black areas on the teeth are dead giveaways that things are leaking. Youtube video showing one of the major complications, veneer cracking and breaking.

There are also examples where the laser doesn’t work at all, which is more in line with our experience.

Research on laser removal of a dental veneer

Er:YAG Morford Study 2011

Source One mistake in box is thickness veneer should be .7mm not .07mm

Er,Cr:YSGG or Er:YAG
6W with water and 1.5W without water

Er,Cr:YSGG (Waterlase) laser crown removal lithium disilicate

Technique for removal of the veneer with a dental laser.

• 3.5-4.5W
• 30-60 seconds
• buccal, lingual, occulsal, and if can get to mesial or distal
• 1.5mm thick
• Gurney JPD 2016

Er,Cr:YSGG (Waterlase) laser zirconia maryland bridge removal

This was not a complete success but may work well enough to break the bridge off and be able to reuse.

3W, 20 Hz, 50% air and 50% water with a turbo handpiece and MX7 tip (700 μm diameter). 8 cycles for 60 seconds per cycle side to side at 3-5mm distance. Barros AGD 2021

The three videos

J = W × s

1. Er:YAG 10Hz and 100 mj no water 40 seconds facial 10 seconds lingual (emax)
2. Set Er:YAG at 30Hz and 200 mj fine water spray 30 seconds facial 10 seconds lingual
3. Er:YAG  30Hz and 175 mj (5.25W) 30-60 seconds Hornbrook
4. Er:YAG 30 Hz and 200 mj (6W) with air/water spray 60 seconds facial and lingual (emax)