My teeth look terrible, and I am considering getting porcelain veneers. I had braces in fifth grade, but I didn’t wear a retainer. I was not responsible, and my mom was to busy to make sure I wore a retainer. Now my teeth look worse than they did before braces.
My concern about porcelain veneers is how they will affect the outside and insides of my teeth. My teeth are quite uncomfortable on the inside against my tongue. I want that feeling to go away—not just to have veneers make my teeth look good on the outside. What can be done about that feeling that I hate? Thanks. Ashleigh from San Antonio, TX
Ashleigh,
Thanks for submitting your question to us. Observing how your teeth look and feel, and how they affect your confidence will help you choose an option that matches all improvements you want for your smile.
People who prefer porcelain veneers over orthodontic treatment want fast results without waiting months, or more than a year, to align their teeth.
Orthodontics or Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers cover the fronts of teeth
But if your teeth are severely misaligned, braces or Invisalign are best. Severely misaligned teeth are hard to clean and avoid decay. A cosmetic dentist might recommend clear braces, like Clear Correct, instead of porcelain veneers. Porcelain veneers are bonded to the fronts of your teeth and may not improve the feeling on the backside of your teeth.
Orthodontic treatment will align the front and back of your teeth—where your tongue and teeth touch. If both aesthetics and the way your teeth feel against your tongue are important to you, choose orthodontic treatment over porcelain veneers.
Schedule an appointment with a cosmetic dentist who offers orthodontic treatment. He or she will explain your options and what to expect on the tongue side of your teeth.
Accredited cosmetic dentist, Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge sponsors this post.
