This is a frustrating problem that shouldn’t happen with properly designed veneers. I’m Dr. Emily Nguyen from Picasso Dental Clinic, and I see patients with this issue when they transfer to us from other providers. Spaces and shadowing between veneers are fixable, but the solution depends on what’s causing the problem.
Understanding the Space Problem
When I say spaces between veneers, I’m typically referring to two distinct issues. The first is actual physical gaps where veneers don’t touch each other properly, creating visible openings. The second is dark shadows or “black triangles” near the gumline where the veneer shape doesn’t fill the space adequately.
Both problems indicate design or execution flaws. Properly designed veneers should contact each other naturally at the appropriate points, just like healthy natural teeth do. The contours should support the gum tissue between teeth, preventing the triangular spaces that create shadows.
At our Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City clinics, patients often describe these issues as “my veneers look like chicklets” or “there are dark triangles making my teeth look old.” They’re right to be concerned. These aren’t minor cosmetic quibbles; they’re legitimate problems requiring correction.
The spaces trap food particles, collect staining, and harbor bacteria. Beyond the aesthetic issue, improper contacts create functional problems. Your tongue catches on the gaps. Flossing feels different. The veneers simply don’t feel or look like natural teeth should.
Why Spaces and Shadows Develop
Poor contact points happen when the lab technician doesn’t create adequate fullness where veneers should touch. Sometimes the dentist doesn’t communicate clearly what contacts are needed. Other times, the try-in phase gets rushed and contact tightness isn’t evaluated properly before permanent cementation.
I’ve also seen spaces develop when dentists prepare teeth incorrectly. Over-preparation that removes too much tooth structure or reduces teeth unevenly makes achieving proper contacts impossible. The veneers can’t extend far enough to touch without looking bulky and unnatural.
Gum recession between teeth creates or worsens shadowing. Even perfectly designed veneers will show dark triangles if the gum tissue recedes and doesn’t fill the space between teeth anymore. This can happen from gum disease, aggressive brushing, or simply aging. The bone and gum between teeth diminish, creating that telltale triangular space.
Veneer contour matters enormously for gum support. Flat, straight-sided veneers don’t mimic natural tooth anatomy. Natural teeth have subtle curves and bulges that support gum tissue. When veneers lack these contours, gums recede more easily and shadows appear.
At Picasso Dental Clinic locations serving patients from 65 nationalities, I’ve learned that some providers use prefabricated veneer shapes that don’t account for individual anatomy. Custom design addressing each patient’s specific gum architecture prevents these problems.
How to Actually Fix the Problem
For significant spaces or persistent shadowing, veneer replacement is usually the only real solution. I’ll remove the existing veneers, potentially adjust tooth preparation if needed, and work with the lab to create new veneers with proper contacts and contours.
During the design phase for replacement veneers, I pay close attention to contact point location and tightness. Contacts should be slightly tight, requiring gentle pressure to floss between them. This creates the seal that prevents food trapping and shadows. The contour below the contact point should fill the gum embrasure adequately.
For minor gaps, sometimes I can add composite resin material to existing veneers to close the space. This works if the gap is small and the veneer edges are accessible. I roughen the porcelain surface, bond composite to it, shape it to close the gap, and polish everything smooth. This is a compromise solution that avoids replacement but rarely looks as good as properly designed new veneers.
If gum recession is the primary cause, addressing the gum tissue might help more than replacing veneers. I refer patients to periodontists for gum grafting procedures that restore lost tissue between teeth. Once gums are restored, the existing veneers may look fine, or we might need slight recontouring to optimize appearance.
Some cases require combination approaches. I’ve treated patients needing gum grafting first to improve the foundation, then veneer replacement once gums heal, to achieve optimal results. This takes more time and investment but produces outcomes that last.
Why Prevention Matters More Than Fixing
The best solution is preventing this problem initially through excellent design and execution. During veneer planning at our Da Nang clinic, I photograph patients extensively, analyze their smile from multiple angles, and discuss exactly what contact points and contours will produce.
The try-in appointment is where I catch these issues before permanent bonding. I check that veneers touch properly, evaluate shadows from every angle, and look at how gums respond to the veneer shape. If anything looks wrong, back to the lab it goes for modification.
Choosing an experienced dentist makes an enormous difference. I’ve placed thousands of veneers over the years, and my eye for proper contact points and contours has developed through repetition and learning from cases that didn’t turn out perfectly early in my career.
Working with skilled ceramists who understand facial aesthetics and dental anatomy is equally important. The lab fabricating your veneers must translate the treatment plan into physical restorations that achieve proper form and function.
When to Seek Correction
If you have spaces or shadowing between your veneers, don’t assume you must live with it. Schedule a consultation to evaluate options. Some patients tolerate minor imperfections they notice but others don’t see. If the problem bothers you or creates functional issues, it’s worth addressing.
Be realistic about what correction involves. Minor adjustments might improve things somewhat, but significant problems typically require replacement. The investment you made in veneers should produce excellent results. If your current veneers have obvious flaws, seeking correction from an experienced provider is reasonable.
Timing matters too. If your veneers are relatively new and problems are apparent, addressing them sooner rather than later makes sense. If you’ve had veneers for 15 years and minor shadows developed from natural gum changes, you might simply plan for eventual replacement rather than immediate correction.
I’m happy to evaluate your specific situation and discuss realistic options for improvement at any Picasso Dental Clinic location in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, or Da Lat.
