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When Can Protruding Front Teeth Be Fixed With Veneers?

PLACEHOLDER
Portrait of Dr Jing Liang Ooi
Dr Jing Liang Ooi

March 26th, 2019· 5 min read

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I just want to be prepared...

Some people who have “rabbit teeth” may find them cute, while others may be less amused.

Protruding front teeth is pretty common in Singapore. While they might not lead to many severe consequences, there's still a high demand among Singaporeans to get protruding teeth straightened out.

So, how exactly can you improve the appearance of your front teeth?

A Human reader developed protruding front teeth as a child, with a sizeable gap between his two front teeth that stick out. He wanted to bypass the braces solution and wondered if veneers could help. Dentist Dr Ooi Jing Liang responded to his enquiry.

Here's what he said.

First off, what are veneers?

woman smiling as she gets fitted for veneers

Veneers are ultra-thin shells made of ceramic (porcelain) or a composite resin. They are bonded to the front of the teeth in order to readjust the alignment and achieve a straighter set.

The procedure requires little or no anaesthesia and is an effective choice with regards to improving dental appearance.

Sadly, it isn't for everyone

businessman in a suit

Not every patient is suitable for a veneer procedure. For the most part, veneers are best suited for teeth that are relatively well arranged so that a minimal amount of tooth structure needs to be trimmed or prepared. [1]

Gaps in between teeth may be a concern

closeup of a man with a tooth gap

When it comes to veneers, protruding teeth with sizeable gaps could cause problems. For one, there is a possibility that the veneers may appear very big and not proportionate, depending on the distance that needs to be filled between the two front teeth. [2]

The side profile of the face will also have to be addressed

side profile of a lady tourist

Ultimately, doctors will also have to evaluate both the front and the side profile of a patient's face before proceeding with any treatment. This is to ascertain the kind of look that will suit your facial structure best.

Is the protrusion due to just the two front teeth or is there a generally more protrusive look that's present in your facial structure, or lips that might need addressing? These are all questions about facial esthetics that have to be answered. [3]

Veneers can be effective when dealing with misaligned teeth but this really depends on the condition of the patient as well as other factors. It is best to let your dentist carry out a proper evaluation of your facial structure before assessing what treatment is most suitable for you, whether or not it is veneers. He or she will be able to recommend the most appropriate and effective way to achieve that smile of your dreams.

Would you like to ask any related health questions?

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I hope that you've found this guide useful, and perhaps gained more insight into the application process. Most of the admissions-related information (admin and logistics wise) can be found on the official NUS Faculty of Dentistry website.

To help yourself out, you should take note of what people look for when they look for a dentist.

This article was written by Dr Jing Liang Ooi and published on Wednesday, 25 January 2017. Human medically reviewed the article on Wednesday, 25 January 2017. The last update was made on Friday, 18 September 2020.

Disclaimer: Opinions belong to the author and not to the platform.

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