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Porcelain Veneer Gap Issue

asked 10 months ago by alonaxis in Israel
Latest answer by Ronald Konig DDS
Question viewed 379 times
Tags: black, gap, opinion, options

Hello, My front tooth is slightly black, so I'm considering a porcelain veneer to improve it esthetically. My dentist suggested that since the black tooth is slightly larger than its neighbour tooth, placing a porcelain veneer only on that tooth would create an unaesthetic gap between the two front teeth. therefore, he suggested two porcelain veneers on both front teeth. Is it a known challenge for you dentists? Thanks you, Alon

17 answers to Porcelain Veneer Gap Issue

Porcelain veneer gap issue

Hi Alon, I would take it one step further and look beyond the two front teeth and look at the entire smile. Many times there are issues that can be improved throughout the entire smile. This makes the dentist a smile dentist instead of a tooth dentist. Also, color is always an issue when not treating comprehensively. Light refracts differently through porcelain veneers than it does through enamel and your natural teeth fade color over time as your porcelain... more

David S. Frey, DDS
Beverly Hills Cosmetic Dentist

www.perfectwhitesmile.com

Veneer options

Alon, that is a great question. Often times it is very difficult to crown or veneer just one tooth in front. Often times if there is space or rotation, or anything that would keep from having a uniform look to the veneer/crown and it's neighboring tooth, we may recommend veneering two teeth instead of one to achieve better esthetics. If your dentist can do some cosmetic imaging and show you the difference of one versus two restorations, it will help you visualize what... more

Joseph Hufanda, DDS
Charlotte Cosmetic Dentist

Single Veneer to Correct Dark Tooth

As you can see, there are multiple answers to your question. This can be done both ways, single or both front teeth. It really depends on the esthetic skill of the dentist and technician. In these cases, a custom shading to paint the porcelain shades on the veneer when the veneer is being tried in is often the difference between a good result and excellent result. How does the adacent tooth look? If you are happy with it and can find a dentist whom you feel has... more

Ronald Konig DDS
Houston Cosmetic Dentist

Veneers may not be the answer.

You most certainly need at least two teeth restored. You may however need a full crown on the "Black tooth to completely mask the very dark color. Depending on the restorative state of the second tooth, two Lava crowns may be the answer.

Joseph W. Worthington, DDS
Fairfield Cosmetic Dentist

Different Tooth Sizes

Two veneers would certainly be the best option from your description. Possibly if your other tooth's appearance is very good, bonding could be added to the side of it to equalize the widths and do only one veneer. Controlling the black appearence of your tooth will be a challenge to your dentist which ever way you do.

Donald L. Wilcox, DDS
Phoenix Cosmetic Dentist

www.desertsmiles.com

Veneer Options For Front Gap

Typically, when closing a space between your front two teeth, your result will be better if both teeth are veneered. This gives the lab the opportunity to make them the same width, giving you a more desirable result. If your tooth is black that typically means that the nerve has died in the tooth. Have your dentist check that tooth prior to doing the cosmetic work to ensure that the tooth is restorable. It may need a root canal prior to cosmetic treatment.

Scott Young, DDS
Houston Cosmetic Dentist

www.woodlandsdentistry.com

Why Is Your Tooth Black?

Before you consider any cosmetic dentistry, find out why your tooth is black. Once you know why the tooth is black, find out your options-Does it have a root canal? Does it have a silver filling on the inside? Is it alive? Does it need a root canal? Can you whiten it internally? Will minor tooth movement improve the esthetics? It is always easier to do the two front teeth for balance if veneers are your only option.

Wendy S. Spektor, DDS
Bellevue Cosmetic Dentist

Front tooth crown, veneer, bond, or bleach

Alon, The other dentists have given some very excellent answers. One of the most challenging procedures in dentistry is to do a single front tooth as any degree of color, shape, or texture difference can show up so easily despite the best of dental procedures. Having said this, it is possible to do a single front tooth in some situations, and we have achieved a very natural undetectable result. Your dentist is the best person to tell you if he feels it is possible... more

Scott LeSueur, DDS
Mesa Cosmetic Dentist

Two veneers close a gap better than one

Alon, Definitely go for two restorations on the two front teeth instead of just one. It has been shown through research that when someone is looking at a smile the two front teeth are the most obvious. Unlike the lateral teeth next to them, the two front teeth (central incisors) should look like twins. Both teeth need to be almost identical to achieve the balance of a natural smile and be considered within optimum esthetics. It is worth it to get it done right... more

Christian Yaste, DDS
Charlotte Cosmetic Dentist

Symmetry is pleasing to the eye

Since you want to improve the colour of your dark tooth I am assuming that esthetics of your smile is important to you. The 2 front teeth or central incisors are the focal point of a person's smile. The eye is drawn to those teeth. Ideally they are slightly longer than the lateral incisors (the next teeth over). Their length and width should be the same. This creates symmetry which is pleasing to the eye. One of the most difficult things to do... more

Martin Frankel, DDS
Toronto Cosmetic Dentist

Closing a gap with veneers

As the other dentists have already stated, to get the best esthetic result the best course of action would be to veneer both front teeth.

Leonard Tau, DMD
Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist

Porcelain Veneers to Close Gap Between Front Teeth

In your case, doing porcelain veneers on 2 front teeth instead of 1 may serve multiple purposes: -better aesthetics because it is hard to color match a single front tooth seamlessly -better proportions for a more symmetrical and more balanced smile by closing the gap Something to consider...the dark tooth may need a full crown (instead of a veneer) to achieve a more ideal color match while the other front tooth may only require a porcelain veneer. In that case, matching 2... more

Lorin F. Berland, DDS
Dallas Cosmetic Dentist

Veneering two teeth in the front is often better that just one

In most instances I will advise the patient to have both central incisors restored with Veneers, or one with a full porcelain crown and the other with a veneer. This give the dentist a better chance to get the best cosmetic outcome. It allows for us to have better control of the color, shape and spacing. Best of luck!

Zola A Makrauer, DMD
Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist

Veneers, gap between veneers, black tooth

When dealing with any cosmetic work on the front two teeth, you must treat both of them bor optimum aesthetics..

Mitchell A. Josephs, DDS
Palm Beach Cosmetic Dentist

Veneers for aethetics

Your dentists is right. If your two front teeth have a different color and size - veneering both of them at the same time would give you the best aesthetic result. That is not uncommon that dentists offer veneers on 2 to 6 front teeth to achieve the best aesthetic results.

Zina Kaleinikova, DDS, MS
Cleveland Cosmetic Dentist

Porcelain Veneer gap issue

Hi Alon, This could be good advice. Is the black tooth a natural tooth or is there already a restoration on it? Usually a dark tooth could mean that the nerve inside the tooth has died possibly due to past trauma to it. It is important to have your dentist x-ray and test the tooth to see if a root canal is needed. If the dark tooth is indeed larger than the other front tooth, then his advice is probably sound. Colour match may be a challenge depending on how... more

Gordon Chee, DDS
Calgary Cosmetic Dentist

Closing "gaps"

In most cases it takes more than one veneer to close a gap. More than one allows the dentist to make the adjacent teeth the same size, and thus more cosmetically pleasing.

Michael Montalbano, Jr., DDS
Baton Rouge Cosmetic Dentist

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