Can an overbite really keep me from getting porcelain veneers? I told my dentist I wanted a smile makeover and told my dentist I’d like to get porcelain veneers. He said because my top teeth cover my bottom teeth it’s not possible. Instead, he wants me to get six porcelain crowns. Does this sound right to you? Also, I need to do something to make my bottom teeth kind of match. I have tetracycline stains, so there’d be a huge difference in the two arches if I didn’t.
Madison E.
Dear Madison,
I have to admit of all the excuses that have been relayed to me which dentist’s give for not doing porcelain veneers, this is the first time I’ve heard someone’s bite being used as the reason. Whatever you do, do NOT listen to this dentist about cosmetic procedures. He obviously has no idea what he’s talking about.
Even logically, his solution is a disaster. Porcelain veneers will only cover the front of your teeth. They will have no impact on the lower arch that your front teeth cover. Crowns surround all sides of your teeth, meaning they’ll be bumping into your lower arch. Additionally, it will require grinding your teeth down to tiny nubs to make room.
The fact that he only mentioned getting six crowns also hints to me he doesn’t understand how cosmetic dentistry works. Most people’s smiles show eight teeth. Wide smiles can show as many as twelve teeth. Your crowns won’t match the rest of your teeth. With you having tetracycline stains it will be even more obvious and look absolutely ridiculous.
Here’s what I recommend. If you like your dentist for his general dentistry work, you can continue seeing him for that. Just let him know you’re going to have the cosmetic work done elsewhere. Because, you have tetracycline stains, your case requires someone with advanced knowledge of cosmetic dentistry. It’s a matter of creating porcelain veneers which have the light reflective translucency and beauty of natural teeth while simultaneously being opaque enough to cover the tetracycline stains. Very few dentists can do this.
You’ll need the best of the best. I’d go to a dentist who’s reached accreditation level with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Any dentist can be a member of the AACD. Accreditation requires passing stringent exams as well as demonstrating artistry on specific cases they’ve done on patients. An accredited dentist will be able to give you a stunning smile. In fact, most of them likely have a beautiful smile guarantee.
Regarding your bottom arch. Most dentist will just whiten the bottom arch to make it close to the veneered arch. Tetracycline stains are notoriously tricky to whiten. The Kör deep bleaching system has done the best at accomplishing this. But don’t worry, an expert cosmetic dentist would already know this.
I hope this helps.
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