3 Things To Know When Considering Veneers

A full set of teeth is important for eating and chewing, but it also plays a role in your overall appearance and self-esteem. If you are dealing with severe stains, slight decay, or have lost one or more teeth due to a condition or injury, veneers may be right for you. These thin porcelain coverings are applied directly to the surface of your existing teeth, restoring your smile back to a functional and appealing state. However, proper understanding is key to ensure veneers are right for you. Here are a few things to consider before getting veneers.

Cavities, Decay, and Gum Disease

Many people choose veneers to restore smiles that have been affected by tooth decay or other issues affecting their oral health. Unfortunately, this is not wise because the veneers require a healthy surface to act as support. If you have numerous cavities, decay, or gum disease, your dentist should addressed these issues before restoring the look of your smile with veneers.

Once your oral health issues are treated, you should learn how to maintain clean and healthy teeth and gums. Brushing and flossing as recommended and visiting your dentist for regular checkups are crucial steps to maintain your oral health.

Bruxism

While surprising to learn, an estimated 30 to 40 million people in the United States suffer from bruxism. This condition causes a person to clench their jaw and grind their teeth at night while sleeping or while completing normal daily activities.

Tooth grinding can lead to many issues including worn enamel, risk of cavities, and discomfort in the mouth and jaw. If you wear veneers, the constant clenching and grinding will wear down the porcelain material.

Determining the cause of your bruxism is key before restoring your smile with veneers. In most cases, stress and anxiety disorders cause a person to clench and grind their teeth. Treating this emotional distress through exercise, counseling, and even mediations may be necessary to prevent bruxism.

Bite Misalignments

Veneers can improve the look of your smile by covering slight imperfections on your teeth. Unfortunately, veneers cannot cover misalignments in your bite that may need to be treated by an orthodontist.

Overbites, underbites, and crossbites affect the look of your smile, but they can also lead to other dental complications. These misaligned bites allow teeth to wear down other teeth, increasing the risk of eroded enamel, cavities, and decay.

Before you consider veneers, consult an orthodontist to determine if braces are necessary for repairing a misaligned bite.

Porcelain veneers are great options for improving your smile in an efficient manner, but they are not for everyone. If you have oral health issues, bruxism, or a misaligned bite, ask your dentist about treatment or alternatives in smile restoration.


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