If you’re looking to improve your smile, veneers may be a good option. Veneers can brighten & straighten your smile easily & require a bit of tooth preparation. Dentists can determine if you are a good candidate for veneers by evaluating your dental health.
Good Candidates for Veneers
While veneers are a great & easy option for improving your smile, dentists have to make sure you are a good candidate before the process can get started.
You Have Stained Teeth
If you have stained teeth & whitening options aren’t working for you, veneers can be a good solution. You can choose the color or shade of the veneers when consulting with your dentist to find one that makes you happy.
You Have Slight Misalignment or Imperfections
Slight imperfections can be easily covered up by veneers. Chips, cracks, or slight misalignments can be corrected & covered up without the need for extensive dental work or orthodontic treatment.
You Have Enough Tooth Enamel
When veneers are placed, dentists may have to shave down a small portion of your teeth in order to cement the veneer. If there is not enough tooth enamel, veneers may not be the best option for you.
Your Teeth & Gums are Healthy
While perfect oral health is not necessary for veneers, it is still a factor that could impact your candidacy for veneers. If there are dental issues like gum disease or cavities, your dentist will have to treat those issues before getting started.
You Don’t Have Bruxism (teeth grinding)
Bruxism involves grinding & clenching of the teeth. If you have bruxism, veneers are not a good option because they can cause the porcelain to crack or the cement to debond.
You Can Cover the Costs
Veneers are considered an elective cosmetic treatment therefore, most insurance will not cover the costs. The cost of veneers can vary from hundreds to thousands of dollars per tooth.
Alternatives to Veneers
If you are not a good candidate for veneers, there are other options that can be considered to get you the smile you want.
- Teeth whitening: Teeth whitening options can help reduce the look of stains & yellowing in the teeth. There are over-the-counter options as well as in-office options. Ask your dentist which whitening option is best for you.
- Crowns: Crowns are a permanent option to fix teeth with deeper cracks & cover the entire tooth as opposed to veneers.
- Bonding: Bonding can cover up small cracks & imperfections. This option is less costly & takes a fraction of the time. Be aware that bonding doesn’t last as long as veneers.
- Orthodontic treatment: If you’re looking to fix misalignment issues there are multiple orthodontic options like Invisalign® or metal braces. This will not improve the shape, size, or color of your teeth but will align your teeth in the best possible way.
Schedule a Veneer Consultation at Lakeview Dental Care
Schedule an appointment at Lakeview Dental Care to consult with a doctor about whether or not you are a good candidate for veneers. Your dentist will assess your oral health & provide options if you are not eligible. Give us a call or schedule at one of our conveniently located offices today!
