Veneers: A Simple Solution to Many Smile Flaws

You probably know that Invisalign® can straighten crooked teeth, and fillings can repair cavities. You may even be aware that dental implants, dentures, and bridges can replace missing teeth. Each of these treatments addresses specific problems and delivers excellent results.

But if you have multiple smile flaws, you need to know about the ultimate dental multitasker — veneers.

At Los Gatos Family Dental in Los Gatos, California, Dr. Sara Ghasemi offers cutting-edge cosmetic dental services to solve every possible smile wrecker. Here, they explain the many ways that veneers can solve several problems at once.

The versatility of veneers

Think of veneers as a hard shell cover for your teeth. We apply these wafer-thin porcelain shields to the front side of one or several of your problem teeth and hide the flaws under the perfect veneer.

The best thing about veneers is that they’re not just a one-trick pony. They can solve a variety of smile flaws, including the following:

Crooked teeth

If you have crooked teeth, you may think that braces or Invisalign are your only options. And that may be true if you have severe misalignment problems.

But if you have minor twists or odd angles, veneers act like “instant orthodontics” by hiding the problem and making your teeth appear straighter. Keep in mind, though, that veneers don’t change the position of your crooked teeth; they only create an illusion of a perfect smile. So, if your misalignment issue causes bite or hygiene problems, you may need a more assertive treatment like Invisalign.

Gapped teeth

If you can sip soup through your two front teeth, you have diastema, an abnormal space that can occur between any two (or more) teeth. Most cases of diastema are genetic. If your teeth are too small for the size of your jaw bone, you end up with extra space.

These gaps can also stem from an overgrowth of gum tissue or development of gum disease. Thumbsucking and a swallowing disorder can also push your teeth apart and cause a gap.  

Fortunately, veneers can effectively enlarge your teeth and close the gaps.

Misshapen teeth

Most adults have teeth that are relatively the same size and proportionate to one another. But if you have one tiny tooth that looks like a holdover from your childhood, a veneer can give it a grown-up look.

Or you may have a tooth that’s too pointy, too boxy, or too angular. Veneers can reshape oddly formed teeth to give your smile a uniform appearance.

Chips and cracks

A walnut shell, an ice cube, or even a blow to the face can leave you with a cracked or chipped tooth that ruins your smile. But this damage isn’t only cosmetic. These breaches in your enamel allow bacteria to penetrate your tooth and enter the interior where they set up shop and infect your tooth from within.

Veneers cover the cracks and chips and protect your teeth from decay.

Discolored teeth

For most food and drink stains caused by coffee, tea, berries, wine, tobacco and the like, our professional teeth whitening system works wonders.

But some intrinsic discoloration that stems from deep within your enamel — perhaps caused by medications or genetics — may not respond to whitening efforts. 

And if you’ve worn down your teeth by grinding them often, you may be noticing the brownish-yellow dentin showing through the thin enamel. 

In these cases, veneers, not teeth whitening, is the better bet.

Are veneers right for you?

Veneers can solve multiple different smile problems and even more than one at a time, but how do you know if you need veneers or some other treatment?

Fortunately, you can rely on Dr. Ghasemi to guide you through your options. After a professional exam in our office, we explain exactly what’s happening with your teeth and overall oral health so you can make an informed decision that’s best for you and your smile. 

To schedule a consultation, call or click to get in touch with our friendly staff. We’re here to answer all your questions and get you started toward a brighter, more confident smile.