 | |
 |
|
|
|
 |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
porcelain veneers / dental veneers / cosmetic dentistry |
|
What are the disadvantages of porcelain veneers?A) Porcelain veneers have the potential to break or come off.One of the more significant disadvantages associated with porcelain veneers (porcelain laminates) is the fact that they do have the potential for coming off or breaking, and of course this will no doubt occur at the most inopportune of times. If a porcelain veneer has broken there is no way for your dentist to repair it, their only option will be to make you a new one. This means that you will have to endure the cost of having the new veneer made, as well as endure the time it takes for the new veneer to be fabricated and ultimately bonded into place. If a porcelain veneer has simply come off there is a chance that your dentist will be able to reattach it to your tooth. |
B) Having porcelain veneers placed is not a reversible process.Another disadvantage of porcelain veneers this the fact that this technique is not a reversible process. Although minimal, a noticeable amount of tooth enamel is trimmed from the front side of a tooth when a porcelain veneer is made. This means that once a tooth has been veneered its appearance and shape will never be correct unless the veneer remains in place (or else some other replacement dental work has been created for the tooth). For the most part this second disadvantage is only a concern if you feel that the cosmetic dentistry you desire is optional. If you strongly feel that you must have a tooth's appearance changed, and your situation makes you a good candidate for this process, then porcelain veneers are more than likely the best approach. |
Porcelain Veneer Pages:
|
When might porcelain veneers not be appropriate treatment?There are some situations where a dentist might conclude that certain teeth, or even certain people, are not good candidates for porcelain veneers. Some of these situations are: |
A) Unhealthy teeth.Porcelain veneers cannot be placed on teeth where there is decay or active periodontal disease (gum disease). These conditions must be treated by your dentist before a porcelain veneer can be successfully fabricated and placed. |
B) Weakened teeth.
If a significant amount of tooth structure has been lost as a result of decay or fracture, or else already replaced by a dental filling, the tooth may not be a good candidate for a porcelain veneer.
Porcelain veneers do not significantly strengthen the teeth on which they are placed. Teeth that have, or have had, a history of a loss of a significant amount of tooth structure are usually better treated by placing a dental crown on them, not a porcelain veneer. |
C) An inadequate amount of enamel exists on the tooth.A porcelain veneer can only be successfully bonded onto tooth enamel. Some teeth, as a result of excessive wear or previous attempts at dental bonding, may have little or no enamel remaining on their front side. These teeth do not make good candidates for porcelain veneers. |
D) The person clenches or grinds their teeth.Persons who clench and grind their teeth can make poor candidates for porcelain veneers. The forces created by these activities, termed bruxism by dentists, can easily chip or break porcelain veneers.Possibly a person can successfully control their bruxing habits during their waking hours, but during sleep a bruxer has essentially no control over this activity. If a person who bruxes does have veneers placed, they must be committed to wearing a plastic dental nightguard when they sleep so to minimize the amount of stress placed on their veneers. |