The Dangers of Veneer Techs: Why You Need a Cosmetic Dentist Instead
If you've got minor chips, cracks, gaps, or stains affecting your smile, a dentist may recommend veneers for minor flaws on the front teeth. These wafer-thin shells of tooth-colored material blend in seamlessly with your natural teeth and last for 10 to 15 years with proper care.
While effective, some people have started going to veneer techs for this kind of dental work instead of traditional dentists. I'm here to warn you that veneer techs can cause serious harm to your dental health.
You may think that hiring a veneer tech will lead to affordable cosmetic dentistry, but veneer techs are not cost-effective. The damage veneer techs can do outweigh the savings on professional veneer costs. Instead, invest in your smile by visiting my Orland Park dental office for veneers.
What Is a Veneer Tech?
As reported by Forbes earlier this year, a veneer tech is someone who illegally places dental veneers.
Veneer techs are not professional dentists or dental hygienists. Instead, veneer techs are individuals who take a short course on how to place veneers. Some of these veneer tech training courses are just two-days long. Upon completion, the veneer tech receive a meaningless certificate that says they are qualified to place veneers.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Problems With Veneer Techs
As you may have guessed, it takes more than a weekend seminar to become proficient at performing dental work. Here are three major problems with veneer techs.
1. Lack of Professional Education, Training, and Licensing
The companies that run veneer tech training courses are not recognized by, endorsed by, or affiliated with any reputable dental health organizations. These are scam businesses that hand out fake certifications.
The veneer techs themselves do not attend dental school or have any background in dental health or anatomy. That means you're trusting an amateur to perform illegal dental work on you, which is extremely unsafe.
2. Improper Tools and Equipment for Dentistry
On the note of safety, veneer techs do not have legal access to professional dental instruments or tools. They may be using improvised equipment instead. In fact, many veneer techs use the types of equipment you'd find at nail salons to perform dental work.
If you don't have the right tools to do the job and you also lack the training to do the job, the results will be lacking.
3. Shoddy Materials and Craftsmanship
Veneer techs don't just lack the tools, they also lack proper materials. We mentioned that veneer techs may use nail salon tools on your teeth. They could also be using acrylic materials to create custom veneers. There are also low-quality veneer materials that can be purchased online.
Given the poor work veneer techs do, there's a chance the faulty porcelain veneers may fall off or look artificial.
Potential Harm Caused by Veneer Techs
The team at our Orland Park dentistry office want to stress that poor cosmetic results from a veneer tech are the least of your worries. In addition to fake-looking teeth, a veneer tech could cause serious injuries to your teeth and gums.
Damage to Your Tooth Structure
Given their lack of training, veneer techs could cause serious dental trauma as they prep a tooth for veneers. Instead of shaving off just a little enamel, a veneer tech could cause cracks and fractures that affect a tooth's overall structure.
Dental trauma like this can lead to tooth sensitivity, severe pain, and other kinds of problems.
Injury to the Gums and Gumline
Tooth fractures aren't the only dental injuries you need to worry about. Veneer techs could accidentally cut or otherwise harm your gumline if they are not careful. Gum injuries can be very painful.
Chances are, a veneer tech will not know how to treat any dental injuries they cause. (You can only cover so much in a two-day training course.)
Higher Risk of Infection
Dental injuries to the teeth and gums increases your risk of periodontal disease as well as root canal infection. These kinds of oral health issues require professional attention.
The Cost of Fixing Bad Veneers
Treating dental injuries can be costly, especially when problems affect a patient's oral health. Extensive restorative and reconstructive dental procedures may be required to repair injured gums and chipped or cracked teeth.
You might have thought you found some affordable dental veneers. Now you'll need to get significant dental care just to fix your smile and minimize pain and discomfort from illegal dental work.
What a Cosmetic Dentist Offers When Placing Veneers
You've read a lot about the dangers of veneer techs. Now let me list the advantages of seeing a cosmetic dentist here in Orland Park for your porcelain veneers.
An Understanding of Dental Health and Anatomy
Dentists have extensive training and education, which includes hands-on work with actual patients. We are not just trained in placing porcelain veneers. In fact, our skills go beyond cosmetic dentistry.
A professional dentist understands the structures of your mouth in great detail. They have experience treating dental problems and knowledge of aesthetics that can affect the final results of treatment.
State-of-the-Art Dental Treatment
Our Orland Park dentistry practice uses the latest equipment designed for dental care. This includes advanced X-ray and imaging systems. We also have safe and properly monitored sedation methods to help reduce pain during the treatment process.
The Latest Materials for Natural-Looking Results
Cosmetic dentists have access to realistic dental veneer materials. These thin shells will look natural. In addition, these porcelain veneers will be durable, able to withstand normal wear and tear for years.
You don't have to worry about professional veneers falling off, looking fake, or hurting.
Proper Follow-Up Care After Treatment
Once your dental veneers are placed, you'll come back to our office for follow-up care. You're also encouraged to contact us if any concerns arise regarding your veneers procedure.
We're not here to make a fast buck. We care about all of our patients and want you to be happy and healthy.
Financing Options and Discussion of Alternatives
We know the cost of veneers is a major hurdle for some people. That's why we accept CareCredit® dental financing. The monthly installments through CareCredit help keep the price of veneers affordable.
If veneer pricing is still an issue, we can discuss cosmetic dentistry alternatives that are a better fit for your financial situation.
Veneer Techs Will Cost You More Money in the Long Run
Don't risk your teeth for cheap dental work by people you can't trust. Seek out skilled and experienced dentists who put your needs first.
At Premier Dental & Implant Center, we care about your safety and the quality of what we do. We can help ensure you get veneers that fit your budget and look great.
Contact Us to Start the Veneers Process
To discuss porcelain veneers and what to expect during treatment, contact our dental office in Orland Park, IL. Our entire team looks forward to your visit.
About Yamen Akhras, DDS
Dr. Yamen Akhras completed training in dental implants from the Misch Institute and the Urban Regeneration Institute. He specializes in treating gum disease, placing implants, and bone and gum grafting.
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