QUOTE
Is it possible to remove a veneer with any of the hard tissue lasers or other lasers? If possible, will the porcelain be ruined or can the porcelain be reused?
A laser salesman was pushing this idea to my partner.
Matt
Matt:
While I’ve never done this, I’ve seen some cases presented and believe it is possible to remove ceramic veneers with erbium lasers.
I do not believe current erbium lasers can cut porcelain as none of my bench tests showed any effect. However, both of my erbium lasers cut modern day composite like butter. My theory is erbium wavelength can partially transmit through thin ceramic veneers and be readily absorbed by the underlying composite cement. Microfractures then propagate througout the composite cement and the veneer is dislodged.
Not sure why we would want to reuse the veneer but in theory I think it might be possible to remove a veneer without damaging the porcelain. Actually, now that I’m thinking, occasionally one gets a veneer stuck on in the wrong position so perhaps this would be an indication.
Hope this helped,
Al