Veneers are becoming the go-to solution for addressing cosmetic dental issues, such as chips, stains, or asymmetric teeth, to enhance and create a symmetrical and bright smile. But can people with missing teeth get veneers?
If you’re considering getting veneers but have missing teeth, this article explores what veneers are and whether they’re a viable option for individuals with gaps in their teeth.
What are veneers?
Dental veneers are thin layers of tooth-coloured material that cover the front of the teeth to treat and restore chipped, broken, discoloured, or disproportionate teeth. Dentists place dental veneers on the outside surface of one or more teeth. There are two types of dental veneers: porcelain and composite veneers.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers are the most popular option due to their superior durability and natural-looking qualities. Porcelain veneers can last 8 to 15 years and are resistant to chips, stains, and discolouration.
Getting porcelain veneers will require multiple visits to the dentist, during which the dentist will assess the state of the teeth and take impressions to send to a dental laboratory for the creation of the porcelain veneers. Once the dentist receives the porcelain veneers, they will roughen, clean, and polish the surface of the teeth before applying adhesive and permanently attaching the veneers to the teeth.
Composite veneers
Unlike porcelain veneers, which are manufactured in a laboratory, composite veneers are resin-based and can be created by the dentist. The resin-based paste used to create composite veneers is applied to the front surface of the teeth, sculpted, bonded, and smoothed out to recreate the patient’s smile in a single dental visit.
Composite veneers generally last between 5 and 7 years and are more cost-effective than porcelain veneers. This type of veneer does not compromise the natural tooth structure and can be easily removed or replaced if the patient changes their mind or if the veneer becomes damaged.
Can you get veneers with missing teeth?
Dental veneers must be attached to an intact, stable tooth to hide the imperfections and recreate a perfect smile – they cannot replace missing teeth. However, you do not have to get veneers on every tooth; if only one or a few teeth have cosmetic issues, you can choose to get veneers on those teeth only. For this reason, you can acquire veneers on some teeth and find alternative options for missing teeth. If you don’t have missing teeth but you do have gaps between your teeth, depending on the size of these gaps – veneers can help to fill out those sections.
Alternative dental options for missing teeth
Dental bridges
A dental bridge is a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth with false teeth. There are two common types of dental bridges: a fixed bridge and a resin-retained bridge. A fixed bridge generally involves a crown that is placed on the natural teeth on either side of the missing tooth to keep the false teeth (the bridge) secure in the gap. A resin-retained bridge is often used to replace missing front teeth. A false tooth is attached to a small metal frame, which is fixed to the back of the natural teeth on either side of the gap.
Dentures
Dentures are removable false teeth worn to replace missing teeth. There are two types of dentures: partial dentures and full dentures. A partial denture is for individuals who have some teeth missing among their remaining natural teeth. The denture replaces the missing teeth and features small metal clasps that rest on the natural teeth to secure the denture in place. A full denture is used when all the teeth on a jaw are missing.
Dental implants
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root, which is surgically screwed into the jawbone where the missing teeth once were. A dental implant, typically made from titanium, can support a crown, a dental bridge, or dentures.
