Can You Get Veneers With Missing Teeth?
In today’s modern world, plenty of dental treatment options exist for those with missing teeth to feel confident in their smile again.
Veneers have become a go-to solution for many seeking to enhance their smile. But what happens when missing teeth come into the equation?
Can you get veneers with missing teeth? This article will discuss what veneers are, the different types, whether you can get them with missing teeth and the alternatives.
Veneers and Missing Teeth
If you’ve got one or multiple missing teeth and like the idea of veneers, you may be wondering if the two can work together.
So, can you get veneers with missing teeth? To put it plainly, veneers cannot replace missing teeth. This is because there needs to be a tooth for the dental veneer to attach to. Veneers are commonly used to correct chipped or broken teeth and smooth out imperfections while creating a natural and fresh new smile.
At Admire Dentistry, we offer two types of veneers: porcelain and composite.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are among the most popular ways to achieve a beautiful smile. These veneers are thin, tooth-coloured porcelain (ceramic), which bond to the tooth surface to cover the front of your teeth and enhance your smile.
Getting porcelain veneers requires a couple of visits to the dentist. During your first visit, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth to give to the dental laboratory where your custom teeth are made.
Once the veneers have been made, it’s time to fit them onto your teeth. Your dentist will roughen, clean and polish the surface of your tooth before adding an adhesive and placing the veneers. A high-intensity light is then used to speed up the hardening process of the glue.
After your veneers have been placed, they require regular oral hygiene care. You clean your veneers just as you would clean your natural teeth. A comprehensive check-up and clean with your dentist is also required every six months.
Composite Veneers
Composite veneers are a resin-based alternative to porcelain veneers.
The veneers are placed on the front surface of your teeth to smooth out and recreate your smile. Compared to porcelain veneers, composite veneers are the most cost-effective treatment.
Unlike porcelain veneers, your natural tooth structure isn’t destroyed when placing composite veneers. Also, if you change your mind or damage the veneers, they can be easily replaced.
Risks of Missing Teeth
If you have one or multiple missing teeth, what are the risks?
While it may seem like having a missing tooth may only disrupt the aesthetics of your smile, there are many more risks associated with missing teeth.
Some of the most common risks of missing teeth include:
Bone Loss
Just like your body, your teeth need healthy bones to thrive. A strong jawbone keeps your teeth secure and keeps them in place.
Just as exercising helps to maintain your muscle tone, chewing food stimulates the bone density of your jaw. However, when you have a missing tooth, that tooth can no longer stimulate that part of your jaw, leading to bone loss. When this happens, it can lead to the weakening of surrounding teeth.
More Tooth Loss
When you lose a tooth and the bone density around where the tooth used to be weakens, it can also weaken surrounding teeth. When this happens, you have a higher chance of losing more teeth.
Serious Health Issues
The longer you wait to replace a missing tooth, the higher your chance of developing gum disease. But how do you develop gum disease with a missing tooth?
When you have a missing tooth, other teeth can shift creating difficulty cleaning. This can lead to an open pocket which is the perfect place for bacteria to enter your gums and cause damage. Gum disease can lead to loose teeth, tooth loss and bone loss.
There have also been studies to show that gum disease can lead to serious health issues, such as heart disease, diabetes and, in some cases, cancer.
Crooked Teeth
When you lose a tooth, the chance of the remaining teeth becoming crooked is extremely high.
After losing a tooth, the surrounding teeth often shift towards the space. Teeth that were once straight now become crooked because of that missing tooth.
Bruxism
As your teeth shift after losing a tooth, your bite may change. If your teeth don’t come together perfectly when you bite down, it can lead to bruxism or TMJ disorder.
Both bruxism and TMJ disorder can lead to enamel damage, tooth sensitivity, jaw stiffness and headaches.
Altered Appearance and Facial Structure
Teeth do more than just help you eat; they also play a significant role in your appearance and facial structure.
If you have multiple missing teeth, your cheeks may look sunken in, and the lower half of your face could change.
Also, if you have one or more missing teeth at the front of your mouth, it affects the appearance of your smile.
Replacement Options for Missing Teeth
If you have one or multiple missing teeth and veneers aren’t a good option for replacement, what dental treatments are available?
At Admire Dentistry, we have three different options for replacing missing teeth.
Dental Implant
Dental implants are the most common treatment for missing teeth.
A dental implant is an implant surgically inserted into your jawbone. Once the implant has been inserted, a crown is placed on top to replicate a natural tooth.
Dental implants are a common tooth replacement treatment if you have one or more missing teeth, provided you have good quality bone. If your bone is not suitable for implants, other forms of restoration may be better.
Dentures
If you have multiple missing teeth and dental implants aren’t an option, dentures are one of the best options for missing teeth.
Dentures are removable false teeth and are a cost-effective option for replacing missing teeth.
They are typically made of acrylic resin material, but sometimes, they’re made with a slimline framework made of Cobalt Chrome.
There are three different types of dentures
- Complete or full dentures: These are a completely removable set of false teeth that can be made for the upper, lower or both jaws.
- Partial dentures: These are a partial set of false teeth that clip onto your existing, natural teeth.
- Implant-retained dentures: These are full or partial dentures anchored to an implant.
Bridges
Dental bridges are a permanently fixed alternative to dentures. Depending on your situation, they can replace single or multiple missing teeth.
A dental bridge is a prosthetic device constructed by two crowns with a “floating” crown connected in between. Traditionally, a bridge is placed over natural teeth on either side of the missing tooth to restore the gap created.
Renew Your Smile At Admire Dentistry
If you have one or multiple missing teeth, there are many options for replacement. So, can you get veneers with missing teeth?
No, veneers are not an option as a treatment for missing teeth. The best options for replacing missing teeth include dental implants, dentures and dental bridges.
If you’re unsure which option is best for you, book an appointment at Admire Dentistry. Our dentist will assess your mouth and suggest the best treatment.
We look forward to helping you restore your smile and confidence!
