How Young Can You Get Porcelain Veneers?
Posted by Annmarie SanSevero
I’m 16 and wondering if I am too young to get porcelain veneers. Once when I was really young and another at 14 because apparently I was supposed to wear a retainer, but don’t remember getting one. After the first braces, I was left with stained teeth. I’d really like to go into my senior year with a beautiful smile and it will take a bit for me to convince my parents.
Ellie
Dear Ellie,
I’m glad you wrote. There are a couple of issues when it comes to porcelain veneers and age. Before we get into that I want to go over the staining from braces. Above, you’ll see a picture. My guess is your teeth look a bit similar. This happens because food gets trapped around your braces. If it doesn’t get cleaned off right away it starts decalcifying the teeth. Given that you were young when you had your first round of braces, then it’s very possible you didn’t have good oral hygiene then. That would explain the staining. You mentioned you did not get a retainer with your first braces. It’s important you wear one with your second round or you will end up needing a third set.
The first factor in age and porcelain veneers is pulp. When people are younger their teeth have large pulp chambers. Because of that an aggressive treatment could damage the pulp. Don’t let a dentist talk you or your parents into getting porcelain crowns if you do go ahead with a smile makeover. Not only is that a sign they are not good at cosmetic dentistry, but it will also damage the pulp. Porcelain veneers, fortunately, require very little removal of tooth structure. So, age won’t be a factor there.
The one issue you may have is the front teeth. You will want to make sure your front teeth have fully erupted. In cases of young or middle teens, they sometimes still need to erupt further. If that is the case and you get porcelain veneers, then as they erupt further, part of your front teeth without veneers will start to show. Generally, by the time you are 18 your teeth have fully erupted.
When you are ready to get porcelain veneers, please make sure you do it with an expert cosmetic dentist. In your place, I would only do it with a dentist who has reached accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). These are the top cosmetic dentists in the country.
This blog is brought to you by trusted cosmetic dentist Dr. Christopher Weber.
