Many patients aspire to attain their dream smile. And to do that, a good option is cosmetic treatments such as dental veneers. Veneers are a quick and easy fix to minor teeth imperfections that create an instant and more appealing smile.
One of the questions we often get asked about veneers is, “Can you get veneers with crooked teeth?” Today, we’ll answer that to let you know if veneers would suit you.
Firstly, what are veneers, and who can get them?
Dental veneers are ultra-thin shells of tooth-coloured porcelain that cover dental flaws and improve appearance. They can alter the tooth’s size, shape, length, and position. Additionally, this procedure can perfect your smile by customising the veneers to complement your features.
Candidates for veneers are those with minor issues involving:
- Patchy and stained teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Gapped or crooked smile
- Crowding
- Uneven smile
So, can you get veneers with crooked teeth?
The short answer is yes. If you have crooked teeth, you can undergo cosmetic dental veneers and have a smile in which you can be confident. But this generally depends on how far out of alignment your teeth are.
Typically, minor alignment issues with minimal bite problems are generally suited to dental veneers treatments. Good oral health and excellent hygiene are also necessary to ensure newly veneered teeth can be easily maintained.
At Sydney Laser Dental Care, we create natural-looking porcelain veneers in just one appointment using the advancement of CEREC digital technology. This allows us to design and mill your veneers in-house so you can have a fantastic smile on the same day.
What about limitations to veneers for crooked teeth?
As alluded to earlier, treating crooked teeth with dental veneers comes with reservations. Some of the things you have to take note of are:
Sometimes, teeth are too crooked…
Dental veneers are not an ideal fix for moderate to severely crooked teeth. With veneers, there will be some amount of tooth preparation involved. So with severely crooked teeth, significant tooth reduction may be needed to “straighten” your smile. This may result in unnecessary damage to the teeth, which negates the conservative treatment of veneers.
Bite problems cannot be fixed
Patients with a severe crossbite, underbite or open bite may be deferred treatment with dental veneers until their teeth are realigned with braces. It’s important to note that veneers are not an orthodontics solution. Also, the bite is essential for eating and chewing. You would need to have a strong restoration to make your teeth functional, and this is not a property that ultra-thin veneers have, so they are likely to fracture.
It is not advised for those with severe decay
Crooked teeth that are also decayed would mean the removal of a large chunk of the decayed tooth before a veneer is fitted. Inevitably, because veneers are designed to be ultra-thin, the teeth would no longer be able to house dental veneers and, therefore, cannot support normal functions. Instead, our dentists advise getting fillings first, then having the teeth aligned to make them look more pleasing and improve oral health.
Gum disease may affect treatment
This is another problem concerning oral health. Crooked teeth are likely to cause plaque retention compared to straight teeth. This is because they are harder to access and, therefore, to clean and floss. Because of this, they can also be prone to gum disease.
If you have crooked teeth and gum disease, you can have dental veneers, but only if you have minor misalignment and the gums can be restored to optimal health. Otherwise, you may need to consider other options that provide better long-term results.
Oral health plays a significant role
Lastly, our dentist will also assess your oral health and hygiene practices to determine if you can get veneers. And whether you’re well-positioned to maintain them for years to come.
Keep in mind that under the veneers are still natural teeth. If they get damaged or decayed, your veneers will also be affected.
So whether you have crowded teeth or not, the condition of your mouth structures is a factor to consider when it comes to veneers and other cosmetic dentistry treatments.
Can You Get Veneers With Crooked Teeth? – The Takeaway
Remember that dental veneers are not an orthodontic treatment, so they will not change the tooth’s position. While your teeth will look straight with the customised veneers on top of it, the teeth underneath will still be out of alignment
This is why those with crooked teeth can only have veneers if the misalignment is not too severe. In other cases, you will need to explore other orthodontic treatments, such as fixed braces or clear Invisalign aligners.
Are you considering getting porcelain veneers?
To know if veneers are suitable for your smile, consult with our cosmetic dentist today for expert advice. Call us in one of our clinics so we can schedule you for your veneer appointment. We have CEREC same-day services available for porcelain veneers to help you achieve your dream smile in just one day.
Pyrmont: (02) 9158 6213
Illawong: (02) 9158 6756
Sylvania Waters: (02) 9159 6083
References
Colgate – What Is CEREC in Dentistry?
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/dental-visits/what-is-cerec-in-dentistry
Healthline – What Is a Crossbite and How Is It Corrected?
https://www.healthline.com/health/crossbite
Healthline – Everything You Need to Know About Treating an Underbite
https://www.healthline.com/health/underbite
Healthline – Open Bite
https://www.healthline.com/health/open-bite
WebMD – Can Gum Disease Cause Your Teeth To Become Crowded, Crooked?
https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/teeth-straightening/gum-disease-and-crooked-teeth-and-teeth-crowding#:~:text=Crowded%20teeth%20can%20predispose%20you,tooth%20decay%2C%E2%80%9D%20Tomsic%20says
