ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the influence of dental prophylaxis cleaning procedures and artificial aging on veneers in human teeth. The external marginal and internal tooth veneer as well as the restoration surfaces were examined.Material and methodsThirty-two extracted premolars were restored with resin-based composite (RBC) and polymer-infiltrated ceramic network (PICN) veneers. Artificial aging by alternating thermocycling and subsequent prophylaxis procedure (glycine-based powder air polishing or ultrasonic scaling) was conducted for five consecutive cycles. The external marginal interface was examined by height profile measurements and the internal interface was investigated using micro X-ray computed tomography. In addition, the surface texture of the veneer surface was analyzed using confocal laser scanning microscopy.ResultsThe application of both prophylaxis procedures resulted in a deepening of the marginal interface (10 µm ± 8 µm) for materials. Furthermore, the internal interface of PICN restorations showed marginal gaps after both treatments and artificial aging (16 µm ± 3 µm). In contrast to the RBC specimens, a significant increase in surface roughness was identified for PICN veneers after ultrasonic scaling.ConclusionsThe marginal and internal interface regions in veneers fabricated from PICN and RBC were affected by prophylaxis procedures. Furthermore, it may result in increased veneer surface roughness, especially in PICN and after ultrasonic scaling, which might affect bioadhesion and longevity.Clinical relevanceAfter dental prophylaxis procedures, examination of the marginal and the internal interface as well as the veneer surface provides a precise insight into damage mechanisms and offers an assessment of longevity.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00784-022-04816-z.