My center front teeth overlap. I also have two teeth on the left side that overlap. I know braces will work, but I am not sure about the time commitment. It seems like a lot of trouble to spend more than a year getting four teeth straight. My other teeth look okay. Will four porcelain veneers work to get rid of the overlapping, or will I have to get braces? Thanks. Everett from Lansing, MI

Everett – Thank you for your question.

Porcelain veneers can correct overlapped teeth, but a skilled cosmetic dentist must examine your teeth first to determine whether veneers will enhance your smile.

Will Veneers Work for Overlapped Teeth?

An advanced cosmetic dentist may be able to reshape your teeth to accommodate veneers. You may need a combination of cosmetic dentistry treatments to ensure your smile looks natural.

Although only four teeth might seem to be affected, other teeth might be shifting. If so, you will need to compare orthodontic treatment vs. porcelain veneers. If your teeth are moving, cosmetic dentistry will not stop the movement. Orthodontics might provide a longer-lasting solution.

Even if you are a candidate for porcelain veneers, you may need more than four veneers to produce natural-looking results. Sometimes adjacent teeth require veneers to balance out your smile.

Finding a Cosmetic Dentist for Overlapped Teeth

Correcting your smile with cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers requires much skill. Schedule an appointment with at least two experienced cosmetic dentists to receive an exam and discuss your treatment options. Remember to prepare questions about your treatment options, including:

• Ask to see before-and-after pictures of similar cases the dentist has completed.
• Ask about the results you can expect if you receive porcelain veneers.
• Other than the four teeth you are concerned about, ask if there are any apparent issues with other teeth that need attention.

Dr. Michael Szarek, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, Massachusetts, sponsors this post.