If you have crooked or misaligned teeth, you may be considering porcelain veneers to improve the appearance of your smile. But do you need straight teeth for veneers? Can they be used to correct severely misaligned or overlapping teeth? This article will explore the answers to these questions and more.
The Tooth Structure Is Important
When it comes to veneers, the tooth structure is just as important as the alignment of your teeth. Porcelain veneers are used to improve the appearance of your natural teeth, not to straighten them.
However, if your teeth are extremely crooked or misaligned, a cosmetic dentist may recommend that you undergo orthodontic treatment (e.g., traditional braces or invisalign) before applying veneers. This will help ensure that the porcelain veneers fit properly and look natural when in place.
It’s important to remember that composite veneers are not as durable or long-lasting as porcelain ones and will need to be replaced more often—typically every five years or so.
Thus, it’s important to discuss all of your options with your dentist before deciding which type of treatment is best for you.
What Are Veneers?
Veneers are thin shells made from either porcelain or composite materials designed to fit over the front surface of your teeth and improve their appearance. They can fix crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, and other misalignment issues. Veneers can also be used to whiten severely stained teeth or to give you a brighter smile overall. Unlike traditional braces or lingual braces, which involve wearing metal fixtures for extended periods to straighten your teeth, veneers provide an instant fix by covering up minor imperfections in your tooth structure and giving you straight, even-looking teeth in just one visit.
Procedure for Getting Veneers
Getting veneers is a relatively straightforward process. First, you will have an initial consultation with your cosmetic dentist to discuss the different treatment options available for achieving the desired results for your smile makeover. After deciding on the best course of action—whether it’s porcelain veneers or composite veneers—the dentist will take impressions of your mouth to create custom-fitted shells that perfectly match your natural teeth in colour and shape. During this appointment, they may also prepare severely misaligned teeth by removing some of their enamel layers so that the shells fit properly when placed over them. Once the veneers have been fabricated at a dental laboratory and returned to the office, you’ll return for another appointment. They’ll be bonded onto each tooth with a special adhesive before being polished and buffed until they look natural next to your other teeth.
Cost of Veneers
The cost of veneers generally starts at around $1,200 per tooth. It varies greatly depending on several factors such as location, type (porcelain vs composite), number needed (do you need just one or multiple?), severity (are your teeth slightly crooked or do they overlap?), etc. In addition to these variables related specifically to veneer placement costs, additional fees may be associated with the preparation process, such as X-rays and any other treatments required, such as orthodontic care if needed. That being said, most people find that getting veneers is still cheaper than traditional braces when looking at an overall cost since there is no need for long-term follow-up visits as there would be with orthodontic treatment options such as conventional braces or lingual braces.
What Are the Benefits of Veneers?
Improved Appearance of Teeth
Veneers are recommended for people with slightly crooked, misaligned, overlapping or severely discoloured teeth. They provide an aesthetically pleasing solution that can drastically improve the appearance of your smile in just a few visits to the dentist. Whether you want slightly straighter teeth or must completely reshape your smile, veneers are an excellent choice for many people seeking cosmetic treatments.
Durability and Longevity
Veneers are also extremely durable and long-lasting if they’re properly cared for. Porcelain veneers typically last ten years or more before needing replacement, while composite veneers generally last 5-7 years. That means if you invest in veneers now, you won’t have to worry about replacing them for many years!
Resistant To Stains
Another advantage of choosing veneers is that they’re resistant to stains from coffee, tea, red wine and other common teeth staining sources. This means that your beautiful new smile will stay white and bright for many years with minimal effort on your part! This is an important advantage over traditional braces, which require regular cleanings and extra care to maintain their whiteness.
Minimally Invasive
Compared to other cosmetic dental procedures, placing veneers involves minimal removal of tooth structure. The procedure generally involves removing only a small amount of tooth enamel to make room for the veneers. This makes veneers a great option for patients who are looking for a minimally invasive cosmetic solution. Not only does this make the procedure less painful, but it also reduces the risk of complications and the need for dental work in the future. Overall, veneers offer a minimally invasive way to achieve a flawless, natural-looking smile without compromising the health and integrity of your teeth.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen in this article, people with slightly crooked or misaligned teeth can get porcelain veneers without needing to straighten them first; however, those with severely misaligned or overlapping teeth may want to consider composite veneers instead. No matter what type of cosmetic dentistry treatment option you choose, it’s important that you consult with a qualified cosmetic dentist who can help guide you through the process and ensure that any potential treatments don’t compromise your natural oral health. At Beyond Infinity Dental, we have proudly crafted countless beautiful smiles with our InfinityVeneers™. Contact us today on (02) 8806 3799 to achieve a beautiful new smile!
References
A systematic review and meta-analysis of the survival of non-feldspathic porcelain veneers over 5 and 10 years
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23476903/
Porcelain for veneers
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9893514/
Veneers
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/veneers
