Porcelain Veneers – Who is an Ideal Candidate for this Dental Care Option?

Since the use of porcelain veneers in cosmetic dentistry is fast becoming the solution of choice for stained, misshaped, misaligned, or chipped teeth, the ideal candidate is obviously far-reaching. Natural, healthy-looking smiles seem to be within reach of many.

With that said, there are several factors that need to be considered to determine who is (and who is not) an ideal candidate for this particular procedure.

As with most cosmetic dentistry, a significant factor in determining candidacy is the status of overall oral health. Patients who have tooth decay, gum disease, or cracks in their teeth should have those conditions corrected first. Additionally, children or patients who suffer from chronic teeth grinding are unsuitable.

If a patient's natural teeth (that will not be receiving porcelain veneers) are discolored and would benefit from professional teeth whitening, the candidate may want to have that process done prior to the procedure so the end-result of neighboring teeth match in color appearance.

Also of critical importance is the management of realistic expectations. This can be accomplished thorough meaningful conversation prior to the procedure when questions can be asked and expected results conveyed and determined.

While it has become somewhat popular for some individuals to have glaring white teeth, it's critical to remember that if a natural looking smile is the desired end-result, teeth should never appear whiter than the whites of the patient's eyes.

Again, as in most cosmetic procedures, there will be an adjustment period afterwards of both a physical and psychological nature. Physical in the sense that your mouth will feel different, and there will be a short period of time before the patient feels fully comfortable eating or speaking. Also, there is a psychological factor to be considered since most smile makeovers impact the patient's perception of themselves.