Many patients face a wide range of cosmetic dental problems and porcelain veneers are a great solution to fixing several of them. Whether that’s making your teeth look whiter, straighter, more even and/or more attractive, veneers fit the bill perfectly.
That said, unfortunately not every patient is a candidate, so to help you out we’ve listed below some of the criteria that dentists look for in patients seeking veneers.
Multiple dental issues
We’ve already said that veneers can fix a multitude of issues, and while ingrained staining can be problematic using conventional teeth whitening methods, veneers can make them appear instantly whiter; in addition, crooked teeth can be made to look straighter.
Gappy teeth, chipped teeth, misshapen teeth and unevenly sized teeth can also be restored easily and effectively using porcelain veneers. So for those with multiple dental issues, veneers may well be considered as the preferred ‘quick fix‘ option of choice.
Healthy teeth
Porcelain veneers need to be attached to healthy teeth – period! It isn’t advisable to place veneers on teeth that are showing signs of serious decay, or in mouths that are showing signs of gum disease. In these cases your dentist will advise that you need to fix these problems first before fitting veneers.
Absence of bruxism
Bruxism or teeth grinding/clenching is a common problem which many people knowingly or unknowingly suffer with. The problem is that although veneers are pretty durable, they aren’t as strong as our natural teeth. As a result the types of force exerted when a person grinds or clenches their teeth can easily damage a veneer. In many cases, bruxism can be dealt with by using a combination of night guards and relaxation techniques. If this is the case, your dentist may recommend treatment first.
Healthy tooth enamel
To fit veneers, they need to adhere to the enamel on the surface of the tooth. If the patient has lost a significant amount of tooth structure or the outer enamel has worn away, then the veneers have nothing to bond to. In this instance veneers probably aren’t the best option.
Good tooth alignment
While veneers can fix teeth that are unevenly spaced or slightly crooked, they are not beneficial for those with severely misaligned teeth.
The reason?
The positioning of the jaw in those with misaligned teeth means that when they bite down excessive pressure is put on the veneers. In many cases it can crack, chip, or break them. Misalignments are usually corrected by orthodontic procedures such as braces, but patients should be aware that this can be a time consuming process.
A desire for a great looking smile
Veneers are arguably the fastest and easiest way to create your perfect smile. Unlike other dental procedures that take place over a series of months and/or visits, veneers can be fitted in just one sitting. Veneers are ideal for those who aren’t entirely happy with aspects of their smile and as such are a great way to give a patient the smile they’ve always dreamed of fast.
If you’re not happy with your current smile and you believe that you’re a good candidate for porcelain veneers, then why not come and talk to usl. Our Doctors have been providing preventative, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry services to the people of Stamford for many years and our highly skilled team will provide you with the very best care possible.
If you’d like a consultation contact us today and take the first steps towards restoring your smile.
Chris B.