Am I a Candidate for Veneers?

Everyone wants a beautiful, healthy smile they can be proud of. But unfortunately, those picture-perfect smiles that seem to flourish on social media almost never happen naturally. In fact, many celebrities and social media stars have veneers to thank for their flawless teeth.

Made of super-thin, tooth-colored porcelain, veneers attach to the surface of teeth using strong medical adhesives. Each veneer is custom-made to match the contours and tint of your natural teeth, so they blend in beautifully and help your smile look its best. 

At Dentist at Rock Creek, our board-certified providers, KimCuc Vo, DDS, and Sandra Raouf, DDS, help patients in Cypress, Texas, improve all sorts of cosmetic concerns with durable, natural-looking veneers, typically in just a couple of office visits. 

In this post, you’ll learn some of the characteristics that could make you the ideal candidate for these state-of-the-art restorations.

Healthy teeth

Veneers can correct lots of issues, but they’re not designed to treat oral health problems like decay or gum disease. If you have a decayed tooth or if you have gum disease, we need to address those problems before we apply veneers.

Not a habitual grinder

Nearly 9% of people grind their teeth while they sleep, subjecting their teeth to lots of excess wear and strain. Not surprisingly, grinding (also called bruxism) takes a toll on your teeth over time — and veneers, too. 

If you have bruxism, you might not be a good candidate for veneers unless you take steps to prevent damage. We can fit you with a night guard to relieve strain on your teeth and veneers while you sleep.

Good enamel layer

Veneers adhere to your tooth enamel. Before placing a veneer, we need to remove a tiny amount of enamel to make room for the veneer thickness. If you have very thin enamel, dental crowns might be a better option. Crowns go around your entire tooth, so even if your enamel is thin, your tooth is protected.

Commitment to good oral health

You can’t get a cavity in a veneer, but you can certainly get one in the tooth that’s supporting it. To keep your veneers looking their best, brush and floss regularly and visit our office for regular checkups and cleanings. 

You should also avoid biting or chewing hard substances, including your nails, to prevent chips.

You have teeth with deep stains

Teeth with superficial stains usually respond very well to topical whitening treatments that use special penetrating gels and, sometimes, light or lasers to enhance their effects. 

But if you have very deep stains from trauma, large fillings, or other causes, whitening treatments may not be effective. In these instances, veneers can be a perfect solution to help you get the flawless, healthy-looking smile you crave.

You have other cosmetic concerns

Veneers can’t improve your tooth alignment or correct bite problems, nor are they appropriate for teeth that are decayed or badly broken. But they can be a good choice for issues like: 

• Cracked or chipped teeth
• Teeth with uneven or worn edges
• Unusually small teeth
• A gummy smile
• Teeth that are slightly crooked
• A smile that looks asymmetrical or unbalanced

You can have one or several veneers placed at the same time, making these restorations a good choice for minor corrections or complete smile makeovers.

Restore your smile and your confidence

With lots of applications, veneers are a custom solution that can help just about anyone enjoy a more beautiful smile. To learn how they can help you, call us or book an appointment online with our team at Dentist at Rock Creek today.