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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Will porcelain veneers help an adult’s primary adult teeth look larger?

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Two of my upper left permanent teeth grew behind my baby teeth. I’m wondering if two porcelain veneers will work to make the baby teeth look larger. I’m 26 years old and more conscious about my smile than when I was younger. Are porcelain veneers or some other type of cosmetic dentistry best for making my teeth look larger? Thank you. Zenoah from PA

Zenoah,

Thank you for your question. Dr. Szarek would need to exam your teeth for a complete diagnosis and treatment options. But we will explain how dentists, in general, handle permanent teeth that grow behind primary teeth.

What Can You Do About Primary Teeth that Grown Behind Permanent Teeth?

When primary teeth grow behind permanent teeth, a dentist can correct the issue with orthodontics if the permanent teeth have erupted. Brackets attached to your permanent teeth will help move them to the correct position.

  • Remove primary teeth – Your dentist or orthodontist must remove the primary teeth to make room for the permanent ones and help them erupt in the correct position.
  • Possibly remove a few permanent teeth – If your teeth are crowded, your dentist might recommend removing some permanent teeth.

When Permanent Teeth Never Develop

When permanent teeth never develop due to disease, a medical condition, or genetics, a dentist or orthodontist can

  • Use braces to correctly position the tooth on either side of the missing one
  • Remove a permanent tooth to make room for replacing the missing tooth if necessary
  • After orthodontic treatment, replace the missing tooth with a dental implant and crown

Will Porcelain Veneers Help Primary Teeth Look Larger?

Photo of a porcelain veneer, which cannot be whitened, held against a natural tooth for Lowell, MA cosmetic dentist Dr. Szarek

At times, porcelain veneers are an option for helping small adult teeth look larger

Although a porcelain veneer can help a primary tooth look larger, it may not be the solution when a permanent tooth is behind the primary one. But at times, porcelain veneers can improve the appearance of primary teeth in adults. Read the March 2017 Operative Dentistry article, Ceramic Veneers for Esthetic Restoration of Retained Primary Teeth, for details.

Conclusion

Each patient’s case is unique, so you will need an exam for a dentist to determine which treatments will work for your case. We suggest scheduling a consultation with an accredited cosmetic dentist and an orthodontist to discuss your options.

Look for accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. Rather than tell either doctor that you want porcelain veneers, let them examine your teeth and explain your treatment options.

 

Michael Szarek, DMD sponsors this post. Dr. Szarek is an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, MA.

If get dental implants if I’m 16 and still have baby canine teeth?

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I’m 16 years old, and my upper and lower permanent canine teeth never came in. The baby teeth didn’t loosen or fall out, and the permanent ones never came in. Last December, my dentist removed the bottom teeth. The right permanent canine on the bottom was behind the primary tooth and grew almost in the right space. But the left permanent canine on the bottom is growing too close to the lateral incisor and leaving a space that looks like I have a missing tooth.

The issue with my canine teeth is leaving spaces between my teeth. I don’t want to remove the top canine teeth because I’m afraid that the permanent teeth will come up like the bottom ones and leave spaces. And then my other teeth will start moving, too. Are dental implants a solution for the spaces between my teeth? – Kerry

Kerry,

We are concerned about the situation you’ve described. If you have regular checkups, your dentist should address the problem. What you’re experiencing with your teeth is not uncommon, though. And dental schools train dentists on how to take good x-rays of your entire jaw to resolve the problem.

What Prevents Permanent Teeth from Erupting?

Often, permanent teeth don’t erupt because they are impacted. Some permanent teeth never form. Lateral incisors, lower premolars, and wisdom teeth most commonly don’t develop, but it’s rare for canine teeth not to develop. In the teenage years, when permanent canine teeth don’t erupt, it’s often because they are impacted.

If your dentist takes x-rays of your entire jaw, he’ll get answers to these questions:

  • Where are the permanent teeth?
  • Are they impacted?
  • Are they in front of, or behind, other permanent teeth?

Orthodontic treatment will help the teeth erupt in the correct position. One treatment that allows an impacted a permanent tooth to erupt is for an orthodontist to make a surgical opening in the tissue to expose it. If necessary, the orthodontist might use braces and attach a bracket to the tooth to help it erupt in the correct position. An orthodontist will also determine if there is enough room for a tooth to erupt in the right place.

Diagram of three phases of dental implants, for information on implants and diabetes from the office of Lowell, MA dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.

Dental implants need room beneath them to fuse with the bone and provide stability.

Canine teeth are anchor teeth and an essential part of your smile. It’s usually best to remove the first premolar to allow the canine to erupt. Afterward, braces can straighten the remaining teeth.

Will Dental Implants Work with Impacted Teeth?

Dental implants won’t work with impacted teeth because the teeth will block the implants. Implants require a clear path to fuse with your jawbone and remain stable. A dentist will only place implants if there are no teeth beneath them.

If your dentist can’t resolve the issue, we recommend that you get a second opinion or visit an orthodontist.

Michael Szarek, DMD, of Lowell, MA sponsors this post.