Veneers and Worn Down Teeth
Porcelain veneers have been popular among celebrities for decades, and they’re the first thing many people think of when they think of cosmetic dentistry and imagine those Hollywood smiles. What people may not realize, though, is that porcelain veneers can do more than simply provide that long-toothed, lustrous, prized smile. Porcelain veneers can also help restore dental structure when the teeth are moderately worn down or broken, in addition to covering up visible imperfections like stains, cracks, and discoloration. Dental veneers are very thin shells of custom-crafted luminous material, similar to the thin layers of nacre inside a shiny seashell, that are bonded onto the fronts of the anterior teeth. The dental veneer procedure requires minimal preparation of the teeth and is one of the more conservative methods of preserving tooth structure. Though dental veneers can be made of other materials, the optimal choice is porcelain, which provides excellent aesthetics while also being durable. Porcelain veneers can restore mildly or moderately worn down teeth to their ideal state; in many cases, porcelain veneers can even help a person’s smile appear better than it ever did.
The first step in determining whether a patient with worn down teeth is a good candidate for dental veneers is an initial examination and consultation that includes a panoramic x-ray. This examination will assess the patient’s oral health and detect any pathologies that may be present, like gum disease or dental abscess, which must be treated before veneers can be placed. Your dentist will also assess the positioning of the teeth and determine whether the worn down teeth are too damaged to support veneers, in which case you will discuss your other options. If the teeth are crowded or positioned improperly and this malocclusion would adversely affect the placement of porcelain veneers, your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist for corrective treatment. When there is a gap between two teeth, this gap may need to be closed or reduced before veneers are placed so that the veneers don’t need to be comically large to cover the gaps themselves. Once the teeth are properly positioned and the oral cavity is healthy, your dentist will prepare the teeth and then apply the porcelain veneers, bonding the thin sheets into place. This procedure usually requires two office visits and can be performed with a local anesthetic.
Significantly worn down teeth may lack sufficient structure to support dental veneers, which rely on the existing tooth for support. If the teeth are very worn down because of grinding, the bite may have closed, which means that veneers placed on these teeth would break very rapidly; the porcelain sheets are not substantial enough to do the work of biting and chewing on their own. In order to effectively use veneers on the front teeth, the back teeth must first be built back up so that the bite reopens, which often means that dental crowns are a more appropriate overall option. Sometimes, the appearance of mildly worn down teeth can be improved with a surgical procedure that lifts the gums and creates the appearance of longer teeth. If you’re thinking about restoring your worn down teeth, and you want to know if porcelain veneers will work for you, see your dentist for a consultation and examination. Remember that you’ll also need to address the cause of your worn down teeth, and make sure to review this information carefully with your dentist. With some new habits, you could maintain your newly restored, beautiful smile for a while.
Early treatment for worn down teeth is important to avoid extraction. Reach out today if you believe your teeth are worn down.