A cosmetic dentistry smile makeover simulation illustrating the use of dental crowns.

Dental History: This person's front teeth show a great deal of wear. Most likely this wear is a result of bruxism. "Bruxism" is the term dentists use to refer to a person's teeth clenching and grinding habits.
      Beyond the wear, also notice that the alignment of the upper front teeth is somewhat irregular. The two teeth just to the left and right of the upper, center two teeth seem to be set back just slightly.

Cosmetic Dentistry Treatment Plan: Porcelain veneers would probably not be the best solution for this person. Porcelain veneers can give an excellent cosmetic result but when they are exposed to excessive forces they can chip or break. Since this person most likely bruxes (he clenches and grinds his teeth) dental crowns would probably be the better choice. They can give the same cosmetic result that veneers do but they have the advantage that they are much stronger and therefore less prone to breaking. Our "after" illustration shows how placing dental crowns on the center six upper teeth might look. ( What is the difference between porcelain veneers and dental crowns? )
      The dental crowns that are fabricated for this case could probably be made so that the front surfaces of the two teeth that are positioned back too far are slightly over contoured so these teeth appear more in line with their neighboring teeth (as we've tried to illustrate). A determination concerning the appropriateness of this technique, both in regards to the case's cosmetics and also the over all dental health of these teeth and the gum tissue that surrounds them, would have to be made by the dentist performing the treatment.
      The minor changes we've illustrated for the biting edges of this person's lower teeth could most likely be accomplished just by buffing them with a dental drill.