Why Do Gangnam Veneers Look Unnatural?

Hello. I am Dr. Jaehyung Park, the director of Gangnam Wonjin Dental Clinic.

I want my teeth to look beautiful,

but I do not want them to look that unnatural.

When looking into veneers, you may come across photos of awkward-looking teeth at least once.

The front teeth may be noticeably whiter, all the same size, and look as though something has been attached to them.

People who visit us for consultations after comparing numerous dental clinics in Gangnam and considering veneers often say similar things.

In fact, there are several clear reasons why veneers can look unnatural.

Most of the time, the issue is not the procedure itself, but how the color and shape are designed and made.

Today, I will look at why veneers can appear unnatural by dividing the causes into four categories: color, shape, thickness, and harmony with the gums.

By looking at actual cases together, we will examine specifically where the unnatural appearance comes from.

Table of Contents

1. The color is too white and consists of a single tone.

2. The shape is too uniform.

3. Too much tooth structure has been removed, or the restoration is too thick.

4. Harmony with the gums also affects how natural the result looks.

5. Criteria for choosing a veneer dental clinic in Gangnam

6. The color is too white and consists of a single tone.

Natural teeth are not just one shade of white.

They have a gradient that is slightly darker toward the root and becomes clearer toward the edge, along with a subtle translucency created when light enters and then reflects back out.

However, there are cases where these details disappear and the teeth come out as a single white tone.

This is often seen with milling, a method in which ceramic blocks are carved by machine.

The ceramic block itself makes it difficult to reproduce the delicate color patterns of natural teeth.

Although this method is fast and convenient, machine carving clearly has the limitation of making the color more uniform.

The person in the photo below came to see us after veneers placed at another dental clinic broke.

The person above visited us for replacement treatment after veneers placed at another dental clinic broke.

This person did not have veneers placed on the lower teeth, and their lower teeth were also quite visible when they smiled.

As a result, the difference in color between the upper and lower teeth appeared even more noticeable.

If I had performed the treatment initially, I would have recommended a more natural shade, so I felt it was unfortunate that this had not been considered.

Most people who get veneers want brighter teeth.

Therefore, I believe the dentist's role is to respect that wish while carefully reducing the color difference with the surrounding teeth so that the result does not look unnatural later on.

It is important for the teeth to look white right away, but we also need to consider whether the shade will still look natural when placed next to the neighboring teeth several years later.

26.05.27 - 26.06.17

2. The shape is too uniform.

Different tooth shapes suit different face shapes.

For example, if someone has a slim, elongated oval face but their teeth are overly round, the overall appearance may look unbalanced.

The length of the two front teeth, the curve of their edges, and the transition toward the side teeth all need to suit the person's original facial features for the result to look natural.

(If you look at the photos in the article below, you will understand what it means for different tooth shapes to suit each image.)

Therefore, even when using basic veneers carved by machine, I have an additional procedure in which a person directly shapes and refines the surface once more in order to preserve as much naturalness as possible.

This process adjusts the basic shape produced by milling into a form that suits the face, rather than leaving it unchanged.

It requires additional work, but I consider it a necessary step for creating a natural shape that suits the patient.

Even with the same veneers, the overall impression can differ considerably depending on whether this finishing process is performed.

3. Too much tooth structure has been removed, or the restoration is too thick.

Veneers are originally designed to be attached in a thin layer, but if the amount of tooth reduction and the thickness design are mismatched, the teeth may look more protruded than they actually are.

Front teeth that appear thick look especially unnatural when viewed from the side.

Conversely, if they are made excessively thin, the underlying color may show through and look unusual, so balance is important.

For this reason, I generally choose to shape the teeth as minimally as possible and design the veneers so that they do not deviate significantly from the teeth's original thickness.

However, there are situations in which some reduction is necessary, such as when the teeth are significantly misaligned or severely discolored.

In the case shown in the article below, one front tooth was rotated, causing the alignment to be uneven. We adjusted the proportions by performing minimal reduction only on part of the tooth.

After the examination, I explain honestly why this is necessary and how much tooth structure will be removed, and we decide together.

The principle is not to avoid tooth reduction at all costs, but to keep it to the minimum amount necessary.

26.06.02 - 26.06.16

4. Harmony with the gums also affects how natural the result looks.

Even if the teeth themselves are made to look beautiful, the overall appearance can look unnatural if the gum line is uneven from side to side or if the boundary where the veneers meet the gums looks awkward.

This boundary can be particularly noticeable for people whose gums are highly visible when they smile.

Therefore, designing the result by considering not only the shape of the teeth but also the line formed by the gums brings it closer to a natural appearance.

To summarize, veneers generally become unnatural-looking because of the color, shape, thickness, or harmony with the gums.

Conversely, this also means that carefully addressing these aspects can bring the result closer to a natural appearance.

When you come in for a consultation, I compare the planned final shade with the tone of the neighboring teeth and make adjustments.

If additional treatment is needed later on, I also explain methods for retreatment using a water-drop laser to reduce damage to the surrounding teeth.

I believe preparing for what comes afterward is just as important as creating a good result initially.

5. Criteria for choosing a veneer dental clinic in Gangnam

Finally, when looking for a clinic for veneers in Gangnam, ask first, “How natural will they look?” rather than “How white will they become?”

I also recommend looking directly at previous cases and checking how the front teeth transition into the neighboring teeth and whether they look natural when smiling.

White teeth can be created anywhere, but teeth that suit your face come from a place that has taken the time to study that face carefully.

Because front teeth are difficult to restore once they have been reshaped, do not rush. Take time to receive a thorough consultation before making a decision.

This is a procedure intended to improve your appearance, but if an awkward look remains, it can actually become a source of concern.

Ultimately, I believe naturalness that remains comfortable to look at over time is the result that brings the greatest satisfaction.

Thank you. This was Jaehyung Park.