Veneers and Worn Down Teeth
Since the beginning of cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers have been the go to solution to beautify a smile and restore damaged teeth. Application of veneers is a much more conservative treatment than applying crowns. Usually the procedure only requires minimal preparation and can be completed in one or two visits. Because installing crowns requires filing down affected teeth, veneers are often a better choice for patients with less severe tooth damage.
The most common materials for veneers are porcelain or composite. A dentist will custom make a shell of one of these materials and bond it to damaged teeth. The entire procedure can generally be done in a few visits and the benefits will last for years.
Before dental veneers can be applied, the dentist will need to take x-rays and then physically examine the patient. This will determine if there are any other underlying problems, such as cavities or infected or diseased teeth. These problems will need to be addressed first, as applying a cap to unhealthy teeth will only allow the decay or infection to spread with no way to properly treat them.
Other structural issues will need treatment before teeth can be veneered. When there are large gaps between the teeth, orthodontic treatment, braces, may be necessary to reduce the form of the veneers to an aesthetically pleasing size. Conversely, if the upper jaw is too narrow, there is usually not enough room for all of the teeth. A mouth with crowded teeth will need braces to straighten and align the teeth. Without orthodontia, teeth may need to be filed down to accommodate the veneers, which will weaken the teeth or possibly expose the nerve.
If the teeth are too worn down, other methods may be necessary to restore them before veneers are applied. If a patient has been suffering from chronic bruxism, grinding the teeth, the affected area may be too far eroded for veneers to help, as the lack of natural support for the shell-like veneers allows the jaw to exert too strong pressure while biting or chewing. When teeth are significantly eroded, crowns are usually the better choice for repairing the damage as they are structurally much stronger.
Veneers are an excellent solution to worn down or aged teeth when certain conditions in the mouth are present. The teeth must be aligned correctly, with no crowding in the mouth. Only slight to moderate wear may be present with any internal damage already repaired. Healthy gums are also a must, any periodontal disease must be eradicated before veneering. The upper arch must also be wide enough to accommodate the additional material.
Veneers are one and have been of the most common treatments and are a great cosmetic and structural solution for moderately worn down teeth. It is important to have a healthy mouth before undergoing veneering in order to avoid the complications of having a gum infection or tooth decay spread underneath the covering. A qualified dental professional will be able to assess the problems which require veneers and determine what steps need to be taken in order to successfully apply them.