Our Rochester office provides smiles to Rochester, Webster, Greece, Fairport, & Nearby Areas of New York
The Fat Teeth Phenomenon
Some veneer dentists have attempted to modify the degree of tooth preparation (grinding off enamel) by minimizing the amount of tooth structure removed… only to discover that the veneer treatment results in a cosmetic appearance popularly characterized as “Chiclet” or “fat” teeth.
Understandably a cosmetic result that is not desired by anyone, the fat teeth appearance occurs because insufficient tooth structure has been removed. The added thickness of many veneer products make the patient’s teeth bulge out… or appear chunky.
Case Study: Thin Veneers for Young Teeth
Lumineers were used in an uncommon veneer makeover treatment for a young teenager. With traditional veneer treatment, dentists typically recommend getting veneer products at age 19 to 21 or so, after the final growth cycle (spurt) has occurred.
The 15-year-old patient, however, had reached the point where he refused to attend school because of the cosmetic appearance of his smile. He could no longer manage or disregard the embarrassment he felt every time he smiled.
Uneven and undersized teeth, lack of symmetry, and multiple diastemas were the most prominent characteristics the patient wanted to change.
Consulting with the patient and his parents, Dr. Sussman outlined a treatment that would require no tooth preparation and no anesthetic.
The post-treatment photo shows off a great-looking set of teeth that has achieved the patient’s cosmetic goals. Notice how the sizing of the newly treated teeth are age appropriate and fit the patient’s new smile…. along with his new smile line.
Since no invasive procedures were performed, the tooth structures can be retreated as needed after they reach adult size, without the usual concerns associated with traditional veneers.
Our young patient and his parents were very pleased with the outcome and its impact on the patient’s self-esteem and social activities.