Using porcelain veneers to close a tooth gap and evening out a smile.

This digital smile makeover provides an example of how dentists can use porcelain veneers to improve the appearance of individual teeth and ultimately a smile.

With this case, they could be used to both improve the shape of the teeth as well as create a more uniform coloration for them.

Case issues and concerns:

When looking at this person's "before" picture, we noticed the following points.

The color of the teeth is not uniform. It ranges from blue to white to yellow.

There's a relatively large gap between the two center teeth. (This type of spacing is referred to as a "diastema.")

The lower front teeth are especially crowded.

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Treatment solutions:

1) Placing veneers. -

We've simulated the placement of dental veneers on this person's six upper front teeth.

Some dentists might feel that placing dental crowns would be the better choice. This would simply be a matter for the treating dentist to decide. The cosmetic end result of either approach would be the same.

In in regards to the degree of difficulty of the dentistry involved, we'd expect that making the changes we show for the upper teeth would be relatively routine.

2) Treating the lower teeth. -

As for the lower teeth, it's the importance of their color that will determine which treatment approach should be taken.

If it's not an important factor, or if it can be corrected using teeth whitening treatments, then using dental braces to realign these teeth would be an option.

(This could be a good choice. And, in fact, if the color of the upper teeth isn't a factor either, this whole case, upper and lower, might be best treated orthodontically.)

If the color of the lower teeth can't be satisfactorily corrected using whitening treatments, then dental crowns or dental veneers would have to be placed. (It's possible that some minor tooth realignment might be needed before this could even be done. The treating dentist would have to decide.)

Closing spaces between teeth:
- Closing tooth gaps using porcelain veneers.
- Closing tooth gaps using dental crowns.
- Applications for tooth bonding.
Other cosmetic issues:
- Whitening teeth with tetracycline stains.
- Gum tissue concerns with crown and veneer placement.
Orthodontic cases:
- Straightening teeth - Braces vs. Crowns.
- Straightening teeth - Braces vs. Veneers.
Repairing damaged teeth:
- Repairing teeth worn from tooth grinding.
- Repairing tooth wear due to a deep overbite.
Other ways to find cases:
- All digital makeovers by category.
Cosmetic Dentistry: Home

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