Can I get porcelain veneers if I
grind my teeth?
Question:I read
somewhere that if you grind your teeth, porcelain veneers won't work for
you. What can I do then if I want a new smile?
- Donna
Donna,
If you grind your teeth, yes, that is a problem
that complicates getting porcelain veneers. But that doesn't mean they
won't work for you. However, the grinding needs to be addressed, and if
they aren't done properly, you will be at high risk of breaking them off.
Sometimes we can limit the length of the veneers
and this will solve the problem. We can also restore your canine teeth so
that they protect the front teeth from breaking off (this is called
canine-protected occlusion). Sometimes wearing a nightguard will protect
the veneers.
Human occlusion is very complicated. The teeth
move in complex patterns, and the shapes of all the teeth interact. The
shapes of the back teeth do affect whether or not you grind your teeth and
whether or not you may break off dental work in the front of your mouth.
It's hard to make a general statement that "grinding your teeth" means you
can't have a new smile. We'd need to do a comprehensive examination before
we would know how to solve your problem. But I'm confident that one way or
another we can give you the beautiful smile you really want.
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