If you’ve ever dreamed of having a brighter, straighter, more balanced smile, porcelain veneers could be the solution you’re looking for. Placed over your front tooth surfaces, these thin, custom-made tooth covers are designed to correct a variety of cosmetic issues for a beautifully natural-looking result.
While veneers are versatile, they’re not the right choice for everyone or every goal. In this post, Abir Faraj, DDS, helps her patients at Novi Family Dentistry in Novi, Michigan, determine if porcelain veneers are the best option for their goals or if another restoration might be a better choice.
While porcelain veneers are versatile, they’re not designed to correct every issue. One of the first steps in determining if you’re a good candidate for veneers is understanding what problems they can address.
Veneers adhere to the front surface of visible teeth. They’re not used to address problems with your back teeth (molars). If you have an issue involving a back tooth, crowns, inlays, or onlays are better options.
That said, veneers can be an ideal choice for correcting any of these issues involving the visible teeth at or near the front of your mouth:
In general, veneers can be a good solution to help you achieve a more balanced, even, healthier-looking smile. And because veneers use state-of-the-art materials tinted and shaped for your unique smile, they look completely natural.
While veneers can help correct the appearance of crooked teeth, they’re not the same as aligners or braces — they don’t address underlying bite issues, for instance.
While the intended uses of veneers are an important consideration, other factors can help determine if they’re right for you. Since veneers are applied to existing teeth, we need to be sure the tooth supporting the veneer is healthy.
In some instances, a filling or other restoration needs to be completed before applying your veneer, but if your tooth is badly damaged, a crown might be a better choice. Likewise, if you have gum disease, you need to have that treated before getting veneers to ensure your supporting tooth stays healthy.
If you grind or clench your teeth, you probably need to wear a night guard while you sleep. These guards provide a cushion between your teeth, reducing pressure and strain that could damage your veneers.
Grinding and clenching damage natural teeth, too, so if you have these habits, a night guard is a good idea regardless of whether or not you choose veneers.
Veneers might not be a good choice if you smoke or if you’re not ready to commit to a good oral health routine. Smoking and inadequate oral care significantly increase your risk of gum disease, which in turn can lead to tooth loss — and the loss of your veneer.
You also need to consider that veneers are permanent. Before applying a veneer, Dr. Faraj removes some of your tooth’s surface so the veneer can rest level with your neighboring teeth. This means your tooth is permanently altered. If you decide you don’t want veneers in the future, you’ll need other restorations — like crowns — to protect your teeth.
The best way to find out for sure if veneers are a good option for you is to schedule an evaluation with Dr. Faraj. She’ll examine your teeth and gums and review your goals and other factors to help you make the best decision for your beautiful smile.
To schedule your evaluation, book an appointment with our team by calling 313-646-7903 or scheduling online today.
