Veneers and Worn Down Teeth
If you have ever been interested in changing your smile, you have already heard of dental veneers. These can change the color, shape, size, and placement of your teeth with a thin layer of porcelain on the front of the tooth. People have been able to make dramatic changes to their smile without braces or invasive surgery. But veneers can offer another layer of protection to teeth that shows signs of wear. Veneers have been used for decades in cosmetic dentistry as well as restorative dentistry to give people the smile they have always wanted or to restore a smile they used to have.
Porcelain veneers are custom made for each person and the specific tooth they are restoring. It’s almost like a thin shell to cover the front of the tooth unlike a dental crown which covers the entire tooth like a sock on a foot. Typically dentists use porcelain for veneers but they can also use composite resin. Porcelain offers the most natural look compared the rest of your teeth and leaving other people unsure which tooth is natural and which one has the veneer. Additionally, porcelain is more durable and a stronger material than the composite so it should be longer lasting.
For most cases where a person visits the dentist to start the veneer process, the dentist will need to take an x-ray of the teeth to ensure that the damage or problems are extended below the gumline and requiring alternative treatments. This may be a typical x-ray or the dentist may prefer to use a panoramic x-ray for a more comprehensive look. Next, the dentist will need to examine the teeth along the gum line to be sure there are no areas of gum disease that need to be treated. Signs of red, swollen, bleeding gums will need to be addressed before the veneers can move forward successfully.
If the teeth are too worn down, then the dentist will not be able to use veneers to restore the tooth. These cases are typically the result of excessive teeth grinding. Teeth that are very short compared to their original length will not provide a strong enough base for the veneer. People who have an over closed bite towards the front of their mouth from the wear of teeth grinding on their teeth towards the back of their mouth are not good candidates for veneers. The thin porcelain material will not be strong enough to withstand the pressure from biting. The dentist will first need to build the back teeth back up before working on the front teeth.
Millions of people have used veneers to change their smiles to whiter, bigger, straighter, more proportional versions of the one they used to have. You may have thought that veneers are only for people who want a Hollywood smile, but they can be for people who want stronger, longer lasting, and more protected teeth. Be sure to talk to the dentist about the signs of wear that concern you; veneers may be the best option for you.