porcelain veneers

The ‘Overdone Veneer’ Problem: How Modern Dentistry Is Moving Toward Natural Aesthetics

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A bright, even smile can make a strong impression. One of the emerging trends in smile makeovers over the last few years has been a large observer pool of individuals commenting on how artificial, white and uniformed some veneers appear to be. This is sometimes referred to as the “overdone veneer” appearance.

Patients looking for porcelain veneers in Riverpark are no longer interested in a “cookie cutter” smile. They want a natural looking, personalized result without compromising the overall balance of their appearance.

At Clove Dental Riverpark, we strive to provide restorations that enhance your features rather than hide them.

What Is the “Overdone Veneer” Look?

The overdone veneer appearance is generally a result of not being mindful of the unique characteristics of each individual tooth when designing the veneers.

Common characteristics associated with this look would include-

  • Too bright/opaque teeth.
  • Squares or identical shapes of teeth.
  • No natural texture or variation in the teeth.
  • Mismatch of teeth to facial features.

When first viewed, it is generally apparent that these results are fairly dramatic. However, after a time period, they could appear to be less natural.

Why Patients Are Choosing Natural Aesthetics

What people expect from cosmetic dentistry has noticeably changed. Now, instead of asking for a ‘perfect’ smile, patients are asking for-

  • Teeth that look like their teeth, only better.
  • Some variation in the shape and color of those teeth.
  • A result that suits their personality.

When patients visit Riverpark for porcelain veneers, they often express that they want their smile to look “better, but not different” than their existing smile.

How Modern Veneers Are Designed Differently

Here are some of the biggest changes to the way veneers are created and fitted-

Shade Matching

When matching tooth color with veneers, we typically don’t use the brightest shade possible; instead, we select a shade that will blend seamlessly with the patient’s surrounding teeth and skin tone.

Variation in Tooth Shape

No two natural teeth are the same size or shape. Therefore, we incorporate small differences in the size and shape of each veneer to create a realistic look.

Surface Texture

Modern veneers have a surface texture that reflects light naturally instead of being flat or having a totally smooth surface.

Proportional Design

Each tooth is sized and shaped to work with the shape and size of each respective face, rather than being based on a pre-determined standard template.

The combination of these details will have a significant effect on the overall look and feel of the finished product.

The Role of Minimal Preparation

There is a very large distinction between the way that veneers are applied today versus years ago in relation to how much of the natural tooth is to be altered/removed.

In many cases, today’s techniques are designed to maintain as much of the enamel as possible. Having a small amount of preserved enamel is essential for the health of the patient’s teeth for years to come. 

Many patients who are considering porcelain veneers are concerned about the ‘preparation’ process associated with having porcelain veneers placed. They would like to be able to enhance their smile while having little to no visible change between what they have today and what they will have with porcelain veneers.

Avoiding the “Overdone” Result

Having enamel (the outer hard coating of your tooth) that looks more natural requires proper planning and communication.

What we will be focusing on is-

  • Understanding your expectations.
  • Evaluating facial structure and smile line.
  • Designing veneers that complement your features.
  • Reviewing shape and shade before final placement.

If you take the time to tell us how you would like to achieve your goals through discussion, this will assist us to help you achieve your results with confidence.

Consulting for your porcelain veneers in Riverpark is an important step in the planning and realistic expectations of clinical work.

Is a Natural Look Right for Everyone?

Most people today will prefer a more natural smile output but how you define “natural” will be very different for each person.

Some may prefer to have slight whitish teeth while others prefer very subtle changes to whiteness. The balance for each is what we will look to achieve with your porcelain veneers.

When patients search for porcelain veneers in Riverpark, they are looking for the best solution for them according to what suits them the best, rather than simply what is aesthetically pleasing to the general public.

Final Thoughts

The concept of a perfect smile is changing. Patients are beginning to formulate their expectations on what constitutes a perfect smile, instead of considering the perfect smile to be aesthetically pleasing and uniform in terms of colour and brightness.

This new way of thinking is changing the way patients will use porcelain veneers; in that the patient’s natural beauty will be maintained more than ever before.

Now that you’ve considered using porcelain veneers in Riverpark, I encourage you to consider those that will provide you with balance, detail, and comfort over the long term. Your final smile should enhance your features and not replace them.