Should Dental Veneers Be Used On Healthy Teeth?

12 / 07 / 2019

Should Dental Veneers Be Used On Healthy Teeth?

Our Ipswich Dental Team Takes A Look

Dental veneers were first used by the Hollywood industry to produce nicer-looking teeth when actors were filmed close up and were designed to last only for a short while whilst the film was being made.

They are now much more widely used, not only by actors and celebrities but increasingly by the general public too.

Moreover, modern veneers can now last for around ten years or more with appropriate care.

We use veneers for a number of purposes at the Lighthouse Dental Practice in Ipswich. They can be used to whiten teeth, where staining or discolouration is too far advanced for a teeth whitening procedure to be successful. They can also be used to cover up minor defects such as cosmetic chips and cracks in the teeth. Finally, they can also be used to protect a tooth that has suffered enamel erosion and occasionally can also be used to close a diastema (gap in the front teeth).

A Possible Dilemma

Above, we have listed the problems that porcelain dental veneers can be used for. The question that both dentists and patients need to jointly decide is whether they should be used for these purposes i.e what are the pros and cons for each individual circumstance?

We take a look at some of the typical decision points below.

Whiter Teeth

Preventative dental care is the best way to keep your teeth looking whiter for as long as possible, where diligent brushing and avoiding staining food and drinks will help to keep your teeth nice and bright. Eventually, though, your teeth will gradually darken as they age and a teeth whitening procedure should be the first consideration as it is quite straightforward and also non-invasive. However, you could also consider our porcelain veneers where staining is more advanced, but this will require invasive dental treatment to prepare the teeth before the veneers are fitted.

So there is a balance here. Generally speaking, dentists prefer not to do any invasive work on a healthy natural tooth unless it is essential. On the other hand, badly discoloured teeth are unsightly and can have a negative effect on your confidence and general well being. There are no right or wrong answers here, and the best thing that you can do it to arrange a consultation with one of our Ipswich cosmetic dentists to discuss the options open to you.

Chipped Or Cracked Teeth

A similar discussion can be had about chipped and cracked teeth too, for similar reasons to the above. Where a tooth is chipped though, it may have weakened the enamel and further damage could happen to the tooth in the future. A veneer used for this purpose could help to protect the tooth and save it from future problems as well as improving its aesthetic appeal.

Enamel Erosion

This is a case where having veneers fitted can be a really good idea. Eroded surface enamel may well erode further, especially if you don’t change the habits which may have contributed to it in the first place. As erosion continues, tooth decay becomes an increasing possibility and at a certain stage, patients may start to experience tooth sensitivity as well. This can range from mildly inconvenient to very painful. A dental veneer used for this purpose will help to protect the tooth and also enable the patient to eat with greater comfort by helping eliminate the sensitivity.

Ultimately, there are no right or wrong answers to the questions posed, and whilst dentists will take ethical issues into consideration and advise as we feel appropriate, we will also take your requirements into consideration and how you feel you will benefit from this type of treatment.

In order to make an informed choice, it is important that patients are fully aware of the pros and cons of using this procedure for their own particular case. A full examination and a discussion between dentist and patient is the best way to come to the most beneficial decision.

If you have been considering having veneers or any other procedure that we offer, we recommend that you book in for a consultation at our Ipswich dental surgery. You can arrange a convenient appointment by calling the Lighthouse Dental Practice on 01473 257 379.

We are here to help you.
If you would like to speak to a member of our friendly team about any of the issues in this article please visit our contact page or call us on 01473 257379.