I would like to see if there is a way to fix my smile. I am thinking it might need porcelain veneers, but thought I’d check first.  When my mouth is in repose you cannot see my teeth at all. Even when I am smiling, I have to sort of force my lips to make my teeth show.  It’s very embarrassing to me. At night I wear a mouthguard because of pain in my jaw from clenching and my face and mouth both feel and look better when I do. Are veneers my best option or should I look at something else?

Kaelyn

Dear Kaelyn,

I am very glad you wrote now, before you had any work done. It is all too often that people end up writing after they went to the wrong dentist to get this fixed and their mouth is now a disaster. Based on your description, it sounds like you have combining factors of some TMJ disorder along with a collapsed bite.

Porcelain veneers alone will not fix this. You will need at least some dental crowns to help open up your bite. However, you are looking at a very advanced procedure. This is one of the toughest cases a dentist can do and it will take some advanced, post-doctoral training. I want you to look for a dentist with full-mouth reconstruction experience.

You may want to look for a prosthodontist. They have more advanced training in dental reconstruction and will make sure your bite is in proper alignment throughout the procedure.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Dentist Dr. Gilberto Tostado.