If your teeth are crooked, it can affect your dental health as well as the way you feel about your smile. Many children, teens, and adults who come to Fort Bend Dental experience malocclusion and want to speak with our dentists about the right treatment for their needs.
Rather than getting orthodontic care, our Missouri City, Richmond, TX, and Fort Bend County dentists sometimes recommend porcelain veneers, a versatile cosmetic dentistry treatment. Let’s consider why someone may get porcelain veneers for crooked teeth, and whether or not that is the right option for your needs.
How Porcelain Veneers Work
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell of tooth-colored ceramic material. It fits over the front of a tooth, hiding cosmetic imperfections from view. It may be helpful to think of a porcelain veneer as a kind of mask worn by a tooth.
In order to place a porcelain veneer, a small amount of tooth enamel is removed. An impression is then taken so the veneer can be custom crafted at an off-site dental lab. When the finished veneer arrives, it is securely adhered in place.
Can Veneers Really Fix Crooked Teeth?
Yes. When a patient has slightly crooked or misaligned teeth, porcelain veneers can greatly enhance the look of their smile.
Porcelain veneers are used to correct the following issues with tooth alignment:
- Tooth gaps
- Twisted teeth
- Misshaped teeth
- Uneven tooth size
- Smile asymmetry
The Results of Porcelain Veneer Treatment
Individuals with slightly crooked teeth who get veneers can have a straight, symmetrical, and properly aligned smile. The veneer material blends in seamlessly with natural tooth structure, which means the results look totally realistic.
Porcelain Veneers vs. Orthodontics
Porcelain veneers have a number of advantages over traditional orthodontics. These benefits include:
- Faster Treatment Times – If you need braces, you can expect to wear them for several months to more than a year. When it comes to porcelain veneers, results are achieved in roughly two weeks.
- Less Discomfort – The brackets, wires, bands, and appliances associated with orthodontic care can be a source of discomfort and irritation. With porcelain veneers, that discomfort is minimal since the treatment time is so brief.
- Fewer Inconveniences – It can be challenging to brush and floss with braces, and there are many follow-up visits with orthodontists during the months-long treatment process. With porcelain veneers, patients only need to deal with temporary veneers for two weeks. The hassles are minimal.
When Is Orthodontic Care a Better Option?
While porcelain veneers have compelling advantages over braces, some patients with crooked teeth will still require orthodontic care.
Generally speaking, orthodontics is recommended when a patient’s malocclusion affects overall dental health and long-term wellness. Additionally, orthodontics can treat the position of the teeth as well as the dental arch, palate, and jaw. By contrast, porcelain veneers can only treat minor misalignment of the teeth that are cosmetic in nature.
During your consultation with our dentists, we will assess your situation and develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your needs.
Contact Fort Bend Dental
For more information about porcelain veneers and other effective ways to straighten crooked teeth, we encourage you to speak with our team of dentists. You can schedule a consultation online or call our practice at (281) 499-3541 .
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