Are You A Good Candidate For Veneers?
Having an attractive smile can be a simple way to boost your confidence. If you wish that your smile were more appealing, you may be considering a cosmetic dental procedure to help improve the appearance of your teeth. Veneers provide a simple solution for many alignment and discoloration problems.
Here are three questions to ask yourself to help determine if veneers are an option to treat your cosmetic dental problems.
1. Do I have tooth decay?
When your dentist applies veneers to your teeth, he or she is simply putting an overlay on the top of your existing tooth structure. This means that the integrity of the natural tooth must be assured before the veneer is applied. If you have cavities or other forms of tooth decay, then you may not be a candidate for veneers.
Decay can weaken the natural tooth, causing the veneer to fall off over time. If you are free from tooth decay (or have had all signs of cavities addressed by your dentist), then veneers are a great option. Otherwise, you may want to consider investing in more permanent crowns or implants instead.
2. Do I have gum disease?
Gum disease, which is caused by plaque buildup near the gum line, can dramatically affect the appearance of your smile. As gum disease progresses, the gums can pull away from the surface of the teeth. This leaves pockets where bacteria can accumulate, further contributing to the progression of gum disease.
Adding veneers when you have gum disease can make inflammation and bacteria accumulation worse. Work with your dentist to address the infection, then you can invest in veneers without worrying about any potential negative oral health side effects,
3. Do I grind my teeth?
Bruxism, a condition where patients grind their teeth regularly, can pose a problem when it comes to dental veneers. Since veneers are made from porcelain materials that might crack when placed under extreme pressure, regular teeth grinding could compromise the integrity of your veneers. Ask your dentist if your bruxism precludes you from being a good candidate for dental veneers.
Your dentist may be able to use bite splint to protect your veneers. One study showed a veneer failure rate of about 1.1% among bruxism patients who wore a bite splint, suggesting that these splints could give you the ability to protect your veneers from the pressures of regular teeth grinding.
Determining whether you are a good candidate for dental veneers is often the first step toward improving the appearance of your smile. For more information, contact a dentist like Leo Uicker DDS.
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