What are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are thin shells made of porcelain or composite resin that adhere to the front surface of teeth. They are custom-made for each patient and bonded permanently in place. Veneers allow dentists to reshape, resize, and recolor your teeth non-invasively.
Patients choose veneers to fix:
- Chipped, broken, or worn teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Crooked or misshapen teeth
- Stained or discolored teeth
Veneers provide an alternative to crowns that is less invasive to natural tooth structure. However, they do require shaving down the teeth before placement.
Benefits of Dental Veneers
When done well, veneers offer many benefits:
- Improve the look of smile
- Close gaps between teeth
- Repair chipped or broken teeth
- Resolve minor alignment issues
- Whiten stained or discolored teeth
- Renew worn down or aged teeth
Veneers allow dentists to reshape your smile without orthodontics like braces. The porcelain covers up underlying flaws for an instantly improved appearance.
Downsides of Dental Veneers
Veneers also come with some drawbacks:
- Require permanently altering natural teeth
- Can fall off or need replacement in 5-10 years
- Don't whiten like natural teeth over time
- Cost several hundred to several thousand dollars per tooth
In the quest for the perfect smile, cosmetic dentistry like veneers should not be taken lightly. Choose an experienced cosmetic dentist and discuss all options to determine the right treatment plan.
Why Veneers Sometimes Look Too Big
When veneers appear overly large or bulbous, the poor aesthetics are typically due to one or more of the following factors:
Over-Shaving the Teeth
Prepping the teeth for veneers involves removing 0.3-0.7mm of enamel from the front surface. This provides space for the veneer shells to adhere properly. However, some dentists end up removing too much natural tooth structure.
This inevitably leads to a veneer that looks too big for the tooth. It also further weakens the remaining tooth structure under the veneer.
Using Stock Molds
Some dentists use pre-made stock molds for veneers rather than taking exact impressions of your teeth. Stock veneer molds save time and money but rarely match a patient's natural tooth dimensions.
The result is a veneer that may be too wide, long, or bulky for the underlying tooth. Custom-made veneers precisely match your unique tooth size and shape for superior aesthetics.
Miscommunication Between Dentist and Technician
Cosmetic dentists send dental impressions and treatment plans to an off-site dental lab that fabricates the veneer shells. Inaccuracies may occur if the dentist fails to properly specify the intended veneer size and shape.
Without clear communication, lab technicians construct oversized veneers that don't suit the patient's facial profile or desires. Dentists should review sizing with patients and provide detailed specifications to labs.
Enlarging Smiles with Wide Arches
Some patients want veneers not only for aesthetics but also to widen their arch size. This may help "fill out" the smile. But widening beyond approximately 10% of natural tooth size risks an artificial look.
Veneers should aim to preserve or subtly improve natural proportions. Dramatically enlarging teeth often leads to veneers that overpower the face.
Emulating Celebrity Smiles
Social media and celebrity culture fuel the desire for picture-perfect smiles. But the oversized veneers displayed by some influencers and stars may nottranslate well to everyday people.
What looks striking on-screen under bright lights can seem distorted in real life. Cosmetic dentists should guide patients towards sizes and proportions that suit their facial profile.
Masking Gum Recession
Patients with gum recession may request longer veneers to hide exposed tooth roots. But super-sized veneers used camouflage recession can look bulbous and fake.
Alternative options like gum grafting treat the underlying issue without over-enhancing teeth.
How to Prevent Bulky Dental Veneers
Choosing the right dentist and communicating your desired results helps prevent oversized veneers. Additional tips include:
Select an Experienced Cosmetic Dentist
Seek out a dentist with extensive cosmetic training and veneer experience. View before and after images to assess their aesthetic sensibilities.
An experienced dentist has an eye for proportions and takes care to preserve natural tooth dimensions.
Get a Consultation First
Have an initial consultation to discuss your goals before agreeing to treatment. This allows you to get a sense of the practice's approach and the dentist's listening skills.
Voice any concerns about oversized veneers. Make sure you align on aesthetics before approving a treatment plan.
Ask About Tooth Preparation
Minimally invasive veneer prep that conserves tooth structure reduces the risk of bulky results. Know how much enamel will be removed and verify that dentists follow preparation guidelines.
Request impressions rather than stock molds so veneers are custom-made for your teeth.
Communicate Desired Results
Discuss your goals, preferences, and any concerns multiple times - with office staff, the dentist, and lab technicians. Provide photos if it helps convey the look you want.
Be very clear about wanting to preserve natural tooth proportions.
Speak Up During the Process
Throughout the multi-step veneer process, repeatedly share feedback. Speak up if temporary veneers or prototypes look too big.
Sizing and shape can be adjusted until you are completely satisfied. This input ensures you get the look you want.
Ask About Warranties
Reputable dentists offer warranties on veneer work. If you end up with unnaturally large veneers, warranties provide recourse to have them redone at no or low cost.
Alternatives to Dental Veneers
For patients concerned about overly enlarged veneers, alternative cosmetic treatments include:
Teeth Whitening
Whitening strips, gels, or professional in-office whitening can brighten stained teeth by up to eight shades without altering structure.
Dental Bonding
Bonding applies a putty-like resin material to teeth that hardens with a custom color and shape. Less invasive than veneers.
Dental Crowns
Crowns require more tooth reduction but fully envelop teeth for a flawless appearance. May be indicated for extensive repairs.
Orthodontic Treatment
Invisible aligners straighten mildly crooked or spaced teeth. Achieves slow, gradual improvements.
Tooth-Colored Fillings
Composite resin fillings seamlessly repair chips and flaws with minimal drilling required.
Caring for Dental Veneers
Veneers require diligent oral care to look their best and avoid damage. Recommended habits include:
- Brushing twice daily with non-abrasive fluoride toothpaste
- Flossing once daily
- Seeing your dentist every 6 months
- Avoiding biting hard foods like ice or nuts
- Wearing a mouthguard for contact sports
With proper maintenance, veneers can last 7-15 years before needing replacement. Visit your dentist promptly if a veneer chips, feels loose, or falls out.
Achieving a Natural Veneer Smile
Well-designed veneers should look natural and complement your facial features. To ensure an aesthetic outcome:
- Partner with an experienced, reputable cosmetic dentist
- Clearly communicate your desired results
- Conserve natural tooth structure during preparations
- Have veneers custom-made based on impressions
- Approve prototypes and provide feedback
With careful planning and open communication, dental veneers can give you the transformed smile you want without veering into artificial-looking territory. Seek a cosmetic dentist who listens and takes the time to understand your smile goals.
FAQs
Why do my veneers look too big?
Reasons veneers may look too large include over-shaving the teeth, using stock molds, poor dentist-lab communication, attempts to widen smiles, emulating celebrity smiles, or masking gum recession.
Can veneers be reduced after they are placed?
Yes, veneers can be gently filed down and re-polished after placement if they appear too large. This adjustment should be done soon after insertion before they fully adhere.
How much tooth needs to be shaved down for veneers?
Veners typically require removing 0.3-0.7mm of outer enamel. Removing 1mm or more risks damaging the tooth and can lead to bulky-looking veneers.
What problems can oversized veneers cause?
Too-large veneers may not match the proportions of your face, impact speech, make oral hygiene difficult, or increase chances of chipping or damage.
Should I get veneers or crowns?
Veneers are less invasive but crowns may be preferable for extensive repairs or reshaping. Discuss options with your cosmetic dentist to determine the best choice.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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