Can I get porcelain veneers if I grind my teeth?

Question:

I read somewhere that if you grind your teeth, porcelain veneers won't work for you. What can I do then if I want a new smile?

—Donna

Donna,

If you grind your teeth, yes, that is a problem that complicates getting porcelain veneers. But that doesn't mean they won't work for you. However, the grinding needs to be addressed, and if they aren't done properly, you will be at high risk of breaking them off.

Sometimes we can limit the length of the veneers and this will solve the problem. We can also restore your canine teeth so that they protect the front teeth from breaking off (this is called canine-protected occlusion). Sometimes wearing a nightguard will protect the veneers.

Human occlusion is very complicated. The teeth move in complex patterns, and the shapes of all the teeth interact. The shapes of the back teeth do affect whether or not you grind your teeth and whether or not you may break off dental work in the front of your mouth. It's hard to make a general statement that "grinding your teeth" means you can't have a new smile. We'd need to do a comprehensive examination before we would know how to solve your problem. But I'm confident that one way or another we can give you the beautiful smile you really want.

Return to the frequent questions page.

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