4 Problems Veneers Won’t Fix

Although porcelain veneers can correct several problems with the same treatment, they are not always the most ideal solution. At River Edge Dental in River Edge, New Jersey, we offer porcelain veneers as a cosmetic treatment for our patients in addition to lots of other treatments. If you think porcelain veneers are a good solution, make sure you don’t have one of the problems porcelain veneers won’t fix before you decide it’s the treatment for you. We will evaluate your smile during your consultation with us to determine if veneers are indeed the best treatment for your problems.

1. Crowded Teeth

Solution: Orthodontics

One of the first problems porcelain veneers can’t address is overcrowded teeth. Veneers can cover up slightly crooked teeth or gapped teeth with no problem, but overcrowded teeth are much different. Oftentimes, patients with overcrowded teeth also suffer from oral hygiene problems and bite problems. For the sake of your oral health, we do not recommend porcelain veneers to cover crowded teeth, instead, we recommend an orthodontic treatment like Invisalign to correct the crowding. If you’re still unhappy with your smile following orthodontics, porcelain veneers might become a good solution.

2. Tooth Decay

Solution: Fillings

Veneers can’t cover up tooth decay. In fact, we won’t apply veneers to any teeth that have signs of tooth decay. Instead, we will need to remove the decay and ensure your teeth are healthy first. Leaving tooth decay untreated can result in a tooth infection and more severe problems down the line, If you have tooth decay, please visit us for a filling instead. Our tooth-colored fillings match your tooth color so you don’t have to worry that anyone will notice.

3. Missing Teeth

Solution: Dental Implants, Bridges, Partial Dentures

If you’re missing one or several teeth, porcelain veneers can’t help. Veneers can only be applied to existing teeth, not missing teeth. However, if you are missing teeth that you would like to replace, we offer several solutions including dental implants, dental bridges, dentures, and partial dentures.

4. Bruxism

Solution: TMJ Treatment

Patients who clench or grind their teeth at night are usually not good candidates for porcelain veneers. This is because the subconscious nighttime habit can harm the veneers. If your clenching or grinding is due to TMJ, we will recommend TMJ treatment to solve your bruxism problem.

Are porcelain veneers the right cosmetic treatment for you or do you need an alternative treatment? Please contact our cosmetic dentists at River Edge Dental today to schedule a consultation to find the right treatment for your problems.