Porcelain veneers are one of the more complex and
technical dental procedures there is. But because of the developing dental
technology over the past three decades, veneers have become more convenient
than ever before.
Dentists are now able to create same-day restorations that
closely resemble the natural shape and color of a patient’s teeth, thanks to
digital imaging systems. In addition, teeth bleaching, dental crowns and
other advanced treatments can now be combined with veneers to offer a
comprehensive cosmetic result.
That’s why more and more people are deciding to get porcelain
veneers every year. However, veneers are not the right choice for
everyone. When deciding whether or not dental veneers are ideal for you, there
are a few things to keep in mind.
Signs That Veneers May Be For You
- Your
teeth have some major discoloration issues.
- You have
teeth that are worn or chipped.
- Your
teeth have minor misalignment that you would want to correct without
having to get braces.
- You
have gaps between your teeth
- Your
teeth are shaped poorly.
- You
are self-conscious about your smile and the appearance of your teeth, so
much so that it affects your social interactions.
Signs That Veneers Are Not For You
Potential candidates for dental veneers must be free
from gum and teeth problems such as gum disease, tooth decay, and root
canal infection. Patients who have good periodontal and overall dental
health are usually the ones qualified for dental veneers. Once these dental
conditions have been treated, patients are typically cleared for cosmetic
dentistry.
If you are considering getting porcelain veneers,
you should remember that this treatment is permanent. Since a layer of enamel
is removed prior to attaching the porcelain, patients will eventually need to
replace them either with new ones or with an alternative restoration.
Hence,
you should not get dental veneers if you are not certain about them, and if you
do not have specific cosmetic goals.
Habitual teeth grinders are also disqualified from
getting dental veneers. If you clench your jaw and grind your teeth habitually,
this cosmetic procedure may not be the right choice.
Although veneers are quite
durable, the forces of clenching and grinding can place incredible strain on
them, resulting to the veneers breaking or entirely coming off.
It is also important that the patient has sufficient
amount of healthy enamel. As stated earlier, dentists remove a layer of enamel
before attaching the veneers, so without an adequate amount of it, your teeth
may potentially be exposed to more damage than protection.
Are Veneers a Really Good Choice?
For a person with generally healthy teeth, dental
veneers can be ideal. To fully determine that, scheduling a consultation with a
skilled dentist is a must. Your dentist should evaluate
your dental health history, as well as make sure you have sufficient amount of
tooth enamel before proceeding with the treatment.
If you do not qualify for a veneers treatment, your
dentist may advise you to consider alternative treatments that are more
suitable for your teeth.