Are my teeth too crowded to get porcelain veneers? (photos)

Question

Hi. I am 17 1/2, and I want to get veneers instead of getting traditional braces or Invisalign. However, I am worried that my teeth maybe too crowded to get veneers or that my age might affect a dentists willingness to do the procedure. My bottom teeth are crowded, and the three front top teeth are overlapping each other. Is my case too difficult for veneers? Am I too young to get them?

Kathy Frazar, DDS, FAGD · Answer

I would urge you to have Invisalign over veneers. Yes, veneers can be done to correct your crowding and it would give you a beautiful smile!  You have to reshape healthy teeth on the  top and bottom. You may need 8 upper an 8 lower  Enders to get the result you are asking for. Invisalign would cost so much less and be more conservative. At your age, you may need veneers every 10-15 years. That expense is on going.

Parsa T. Zadeh, DDS · Answer

Hello! Like Dr. Roberts, I am very glad you are asking these questions. Instant orthodontics are very popular for older adults who have not had orthodontic work or had orthodontic work that reverted because they did not wear or lost their retainers, or due to age.Given your age, I would rather you get some form of braces -- whether they are the more traditional metal/ceramic and wire, or Invisalign or an alternative clear aligner. Given your crowding, I would recommend the more traditional braces, simply because there may be root involvement, and Invisalign is not great for that. However, if you get X-rays and it finds that root involvement is minimum and it is simple crowding, perhaps a clear aligner would be a better option. At 17 and a half, you are very young to get veneers. While they look absolutely spectacular if done correctly, they do require you to remove a portion of your teeth to place and last only about 10-15 years. Since your teeth look very healthy and don't have any esthetic defects like chipping, mottling, or cracks, I'd favor trying a straightening treatment over veneers. There is no reason to grind down your healthy teeth as a 'shortcut' to a straight smile. More traditional straightening treatments, whether braces or aligners, will likely be less costly up-front and remove the need to have your veneers replaced regularly. On average, veneers cost $800-$2000 per tooth, up to $1500-$3500 per tooth in some places! Orthodontic treatment will generally be more affordable in both the short and long term. Let's assume you need 3-4 veneers, and have to replace them every 10-15 years, that will quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars over the course of your life. Orthodontic treatments need to be done only once for most people and if you practice proper care and wear your retainers, you will likely never need to undergo orthodontia again.

German Arzate, DDS - Account Suspended · Answer

Yes , you can perform veneers , on all those teeth,without no problem, and they would look straight on only 2 visits,shape, size and color can be changed, the option of braces at your age , its good, and i understand you do not want them , but there are also another techniques

Thomas Roberts, DDS (retired) · Answer

These are great questions.  I am glad you are asking this before you do any treatment.  First of all there is no absolute age limit on veneers.  But you are quite young to have veneers placed.  Veneers could correct the crowded appearance of your teeth but the more crowded they are, usually the more tooth structure needs to be removed.  Your lower teeth are very crowded.  I believe your teeth would be badly damaged if someone tried to put veneers on your teeth.  It is a much better option to correct the crowding properly with braces.  These teeth need to last you a very long time so it is better to do this right.  Please go talk to an orthodontist and get your options.  Good luck!

Are my teeth too crowded to get porcelain veneers? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Pr1ncess

Answer: Pr1ncess

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Porcelain Veneers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

Are my teeth too crowded to get porcelain veneers? (photos)

Answers (4)

Answer: Pr1ncess

Answer: Pr1ncess

Browse related questions

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Porcelain Veneers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.