Porcelain Veneers and Contact Sports: Should You Get Veneers if You Take Part in Contact Sports?

A well-made set of porcelain veneers is almost as hard as your natural teeth and can last a lifetime if well taken care of. However, just like your natural teeth, veneers are not impervious to damage from kicks, punches or accidental blows to the mouth that occur in contact sports such as boxing, kickboxing and wrestling. That's why, if contact sport is what you do for a living, or if you regularly train in contact sports, there are some things you should consider before choosing veneers.

You Should Always Wear a Custom Mouth Guard

Although over-the-counter mouth guards that you can purchase in sports stores and pharmacies are better than no protection at all, if you want to ensure the longevity of your veneers, you should avoid them. Not only are they often ill-fitting, but they are made of thin plastic which naturally provides less protection against blows to the mouth.

Custom mouth guards prepared by dental professionals, on the other hand, are based on a mould of your teeth. Therefore, they fit snugly, and your dentist can adjust their thickness according to your needs. Custom mouth guards also last longer and don't lose their shape like cheaper, over-the-counter versions.

Consider Teeth Whitening for Stains

If you are thinking of getting veneers because you aren't happy with the colour of your teeth, consider the future possibilities. While in-office whitening treatments can be topped up once or twice a year with at-home treatments, veneers, once placed, are there to stay. In rare cases, a dentist may remove them. However, because a dentist needs to remove tooth enamel in order to place veneers, should anything go wrong, i.e., if you receive a strong blow to the mouth that breaks a veneer,  it will need to be replaced.

If your issue is stains, explore whitening options first.

Opt for Invisalign for Crowded Teeth

One way of treating crowded and misaligned teeth is to remove some of the enamel and cover them with veneers. The results are often extremely pleasing for patients. However, teeth that are crooked or that need to be lengthened by veneers do not provide as stable a connection as relatively flat or well-positioned teeth. Keep this in mind when making your decision. You could opt for Invisalign instead. Then, once your teeth are straightened, veneers could be added to give your smile the finishing touch.

To learn more, contact a dentist in your area who specialises in cosmetic dentistry.

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