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If your teen is self-conscious about their smile, they may have asked whether or not they can get porcelain veneers in Shorewood. What’s the answer? Is it okay for teens to get veneers, and if so, when will they be old enough for treatment? We’ll discuss everything you need to know about teenagers and veneers in this blog from Lake Bluff Dental, so read on to get answers to these questions and more.
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that veneers aren’t always the best choice for improving your teen’s smile. If their teeth are crooked, for example, they may think that veneers are a good way to cover them up.
But that’s not always the case. If your teen wants veneers due to crooked or uneven teeth, orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign may be a better choice. Orthodontics doesn’t just improve their appearance, but also enhances their oral health, too.
If your teen has already had orthodontic treatment and is still interested in veneers, the next step is to confirm that they’re old enough for veneers. Now, this varies depending on the dentist, but most cosmetic dentists will require your teen to be at least 16 years old (women) or 18 years old (men) before they will apply veneers.
This is because this is when your teen’s mouth will stop growing. While their final set of adult teeth will come out at about the age of 13, their mouth will continue to grow and change until the age of about 16 for women and 18 for men.
This is preferred for veneers and other types of cosmetic dentistry because it means your teen’s teeth and bite will no longer be changing, which makes treatment easier and ensures predictable results.
If your teen is old enough to get veneers and they have already had orthodontic treatment or don’t need orthodontics, the next thing you need to consider is the reversibility of the procedure.
Porcelain veneers require a dentist like Dr. Carolyn Griffin to remove a thin layer of enamel from each tooth that is being treated with a veneer. This procedure is permanent. It cannot be reversed.
While your teen’s teeth will be strong and beautiful thanks to the veneers that will be permanently attached to their natural enamel, they will need to wear veneers for the rest of their lives. They can’t have their veneers removed in the future.
If you or your teen is uncomfortable with the idea of permanent enamel removal, alternative treatments like dental bonding or teeth whitening may be a better option.
Just like adults, teens can feel self-conscious if they don’t like their smiles. But treating teens with cosmetic dentistry is a bit more complicated than treating an adult, for all of the reasons discussed above.
So if you’d like to learn more and find out what treatments may be right for your teenager, contact Lake Bluff Dental online or give us a call at (414) 962-1800. Dr. Carolyn Griffin can help patients of all ages explore their options for improving their smiles in Shorewood.