Albertville, AL
Veneers have become an increasingly popular choice among people who want to correct imperfections in their teeth, whether that be discoloration, chips, cracks or slightly crooked or gapped teeth. Veneers are wafer-thin porcelain or composite-resin shells that are custom-made to adhere to the tooth’s surface to hide imperfections. Because of how veneers work, many patients who have teeth that aren’t perfectly straight are curious if their teeth should first be straightened to provide a better foundation for the veneers to adhere to. And while, yes, this might be the case sometimes, our cosmetic dentist in Albertville explains in today’s blog why it’s not always necessary. Let’s take a look!
When deciding if teeth should be straightened before applying veneers, our dentist considers the following:
Severity of misalignment
If teeth misalignment is minor — if they’re just slightly overlapped or have small gaps between them — veneers are often a suitable solution. In fact, our Gadsden cosmetic dentist often elects to use veneers to correct minor crookedness or gaps. But if the misalignment is significant, straightening the teeth through orthodontic treatment like braces or clear aligners like Invisalign may be necessary to achieve optimal results.
Bite alignment
Misaligned teeth can sometimes indicate underlying issues with the bite, such as an overbite, underbite or crossbite.
Let’s look at what each of those are:
- Overbite — a dental condition where the upper front teeth overlap significantly with the lower front teeth when the mouth is closed. In other words, the upper front teeth protrude over the lower front teeth vertically, covering a portion of the lower teeth.
- Underbite — a dental condition where the lower front teeth protrude forward beyond the upper front teeth when the mouth is closed. In other words, the lower jaw is positioned further forward than the upper jaw, causing the lower teeth to sit in front of the upper teeth when biting down.
- Crossbite — A type of dental misalignment where some of the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. In a healthy bite, the upper teeth should slightly overlap the lower teeth, but in cases of crossbite, this overlap is reversed or non-existent, causing the upper teeth to sit inside or behind the lower teeth.
Long-term oral health and stability depend on you addressing a bite problem as soon as you recognize you may have one. And in such cases, orthodontic treatment may be recommended before considering veneers.
Tooth preservation
Veneers are considered a permanent restoration treatment because they require a small amount of enamel to be removed from the tooth’s surface to ensure a proper fit and natural appearance. If teeth are severely misaligned, more enamel than usual may need to be removed, which can compromise the tooth’s structure. Orthodontic treatment, on the other hand, preserves the natural teeth by gradually moving them into the correct position. So if removing enamel would compromise the tooth, our Albertville Invisalign dentist may suggest orthodontics first.
What’s the goal?
Whether you choose to straighten your teeth before veneer application depends largely on your goals.
- Cosmetic enhancement — If your goal is cosmetic enhancement — to correct imperfections or straighten a minor misalignment — then you can trust our skilled cosmetic dentists in Gadsden to use veneers to camouflage minor imperfections on or in your teeth and/or tailor the shape and size of veneers to create the illusion of straighter teeth; veneers can address minor irregularities in tooth alignment without the need for orthodontics.
- Orthodontic treatment — In cases where teeth misalignment is more severe or affects the bite, our Albertville Invisalign dentist, before considering veneers, may recommend treatment with clear aligners. Orthodontic treatment like Invisalign can address underlying issues with tooth alignment, ensuring a stable foundation for veneers and optimizing long-term oral health.
Dental veneers and Invisalign in Albertville, Alabama
Veneers can mask minor dental imperfections, including slight misalignments, but it’s best to begin with a thorough exam at our Wall Street Dentistry practice. We can determine the overall alignment and health of your teeth and discuss a course of action for treatment that will address your concerns. In cases of significant misalignment or bite issues, straightening the teeth through orthodontic treatment may be necessary before applying veneers. Ultimately, prioritizing the long-term health and aesthetics of your smile is key to achieving optimal results. Give our office a call at (256) 400-2783, or contact us online to schedule a consultation today.
