|  | Dental Health | Dental Veneers

Can Veneers Fix Rotated Teeth?

The smile is often the first noticeable part of one's appearance, and in American culture, people are obsessed with achieving bright, dazzling smiles of movie-star quality. Veneers can be an effective solution for transforming imperfect teeth, and they also can whiten the smile permanently. However, veneers aren't always the optimal solution for perfecting the mouth, and a patient with a rotated tooth may determine that another option is more effective.

  1. The Location of the Rotated Tooth

    • Veneers are used commonly on the teeth that are visible while smiling. If the rotated tooth is toward the back of the mouth, a veneer might not make a big aesthetic difference, as this cosmetic dentistry solution works like a mask only on the front of the tooth. A veneer is designed for appearance only. If the rotated tooth is located with the bottom teeth, consider the angle when the mouth is open, such as while speaking. In this case, a veneer might not take be able to cure the diagonal shape from this view.

    Research All Alternatives

    • If the tooth is slightly rotated, a veneer can be a quick, aesthetic fix to align the tooth's surface and shape. If the rotation is dramatic, such as an angle of 35 to 40 degrees or more, alternative solutions may be worthwhile since veneer work becomes more complicated and risky to the health of the tooth. In this case, the tooth requires reshaping before the veneer is bonded. The dentist must shave down the tooth, which could require excessive removal of enamel and come dangerously close to the nerve. If the rotation is too significant, a crown may be a better option since it covers the entire tooth, protecting it from leakage and decay.

    Possible Root Canal

    • If a veneer is still the favored solution, the dentist might suggest a root canal. The reshaping requires trimming dangerously close to the nerve. Not only do exposed nerves cause extreme tooth sensitivity and pain, they also subject the tooth to infection. A root canal removes the nerve, and the inside of the tooth will be cleaned and sealed.

      While porcelain veneers are strongly bonded to the teeth, they still are not as durable as the natural tooth or dental crowns. If the veneer was placed without the root canal and ruptured, cracked or broke, the patient will experience severe pain from the nerve exposure and require emergency dental treatment.

    Cost and Lasting Results

    • Veneers are expensive, and insurance generally will not cover cosmetic procedures unless an accident or injury damaged the teeth. MedicineNet.com's report on dental veneers says the average cost per tooth is $500 to $1,300 (as of November 2009).

      Veneers are bonded to the teeth permanently with a special cement, and a laser treatment activates the chemical bond. They are not easily removed, except by a dentist, which requires an additional procedure. According to MedicineNet.com, veneers last five to ten years, after which they must be replaced.

Dental Veneers - Related Articles