Veneers are great cosmetic dentistry tools that improve your teeth’s aesthetics. Made from porcelain or resin composite materials, they look and act like natural teeth by covering up unwanted deformities or gaps, making your pearly whites look evenly spaced.
Proper care of veneers for an increased lifespan includes daily brushing and flossing, as well as non-grinding of teeth and clenching of jaws to prevent cracks or breakage. These may seem pretty vanilla for regularly-aligned mouths, but what about if you have an overbite or underbite? Would veneers still be plausible?
Before We Answer, Some Info
Let’s first define what these irregularities are:
An overbite is a condition where your top row of teeth overlaps with your bottom row. This is known as a class 2 malocclusion.
One can determine an overbite if they can feel a huge space between the upper and bottom rows of teeth and can slide your tongue in the middle of them when your mouth is closed.
An underbite is when your bottom teeth row overlaps your upper teeth row. This is called a class 3 malocclusion.
In this irregularity, there is no space for your tongue to move around; it feels trapped in the oral cavity.
What causes these oral abnormalities?
For overbites, thumb-sucking and unattended spacing or crowding can cause or worsen this condition. They can push the teeth outward at an angle, causing the rows to move unevenly and the jaw to adjust to an incorrect position.
With regard to underbites, pushing on teeth and jaw-related injuries create or exacerbate the irregularity. Pushing on the lower row of teeth can move the lower jaw forward and out of alignment. Damage to the jaw can also cause the bone structure to move to the front.
So, Can You Get Veneers Either Way?
The short answer is yes, but you should wait for a little while.
If you are suffering from an overbite, you may have heard of rapid maxillary expansion (RME). RME allows your upper jaw to widen and your teeth to spread evenly. In order for this treatment to take effect, it needs to be performed when you are a child.
Orthodontics and jaw surgery are both recommended to fix the alignment of your teeth. The goal is to realign your jaw to its best position, so you would have an easier time getting veneers.
If you still want to get veneers, there are a few things to take note of first:
Overbites and underbites can be treated with veneer treatments. However, it’s important to look for specialists who understand the mechanics of your teeth.
The jaw straightening is the most significant part of veneer treatment. If your jaw is not straightened, you will leave the dentist’s office with a perfect smile that will fall apart quickly due to misalignment, grinding, cracking, or all three. At this point, you would need to return to the dentist to have another veneer applied.
The dentist will take a mold of your teeth. This mold will be used to make a veneer with individual grooves for each tooth.
The dentist will put a veneer on your teeth to make them look even whiter and more evenly spaced. The process can take just one appointment (depending on the number of teeth you want veneered), and you will need to get anesthetized at least once. Once the process is finished, you will have a beautiful, bright smile.
In Closing
Jaw alignment is key to successful veneer placement, whether you have an underbite or overbite. Remember, these devices restore both the look and function of your teeth, so even the underlying bone structure must be in the correct placement. Always consult your dentist before proceeding for optimal oral health.
Done your research and want to go through the works for much-needed veneers in Chattanooga, TN? Set an appointment with the experts at Shallowford Family Dental Group! We’re a practice of four dentists bringing over 75 years of combined dental experience into one team. For decades, we’ve practiced right here in our home city and are proud to serve our community with dedication and care.