Veneers are the quickest route to a Hollywood smile. Just look at your favorite celebrity’s teeth. Veneers are very thin porcelain shells that are bonded to the front of the tooth to hide anything from hairline cracks to ugly stains. Veneers can even make your teeth look straight—without braces. If your teeth are otherwise healthy, veneers can make them look brighter and more uniform.

Like teeth whitening, veneers are one of the most popular cosmetic dental procedures. But don’t run to your cosmetic dentist just yet. Make sure to learn the pros and cons and what’s involved with treatment. A good dentist won’t recommend veneers without a complete evaluation of your teeth, gums, and bite. It makes no sense to improve your teeth’s appearance if you have extensive decay, bite problems, and other issues. Some people may need only professional cleaning to transform their smiles, while others may need many other procedures.

Veneer Candidates

Veneers can correct several problems: teeth discoloration that does not respond to regular bleaching, gaps between teeth, chips and cracks, too-short teeth, long teeth, and misshapen teeth. However, it still depends on the condition of your mouth and your preferences. You may not be a good candidate for veneers if you have:

  • Serious tooth decay
  • Gingivitis or gum disease
  • Very thin enamel
  • Poor tooth alignment

The bottom line: veneers cannot be placed on unhealthy teeth. Your dentist must first correct these problems before cosmetic treatments can be performed. If your teeth are healthy and are just mildly crooked and discolored, an alternative option is short-term orthodontics like Invisalign and professional teeth bleaching. Veneers can still be placed on very crowded teeth, but the procedure requires heavy enamel reduction.

If you have questions about veneers, visit our Lincroft dental clinic or call 732-352-3903 to make an appointment.