Dental veneers are becoming an increasingly popular solution to target smile-based insecurities. But what are the negatives?
Four out of five people worry about keeping their mouths closed when being photographed because they don’t feel comfortable with their smiles or their teeth.
Regardless of whether or not this self-consciousness is caused by discoloured, chipped, crowded, cracked or uneven teeth, more and more people are turning to cosmetic dentistry as a solution for these issues.
Why wait, when we have the solutions on hand that can help you feel better about your smile today?
Appearance is an important thing to most people, and a lot of us would do all we can to ensure we look our best. Aesthetic dentistry is simply another way to make positive changes to your appearance, and as a result, allow you to feel better about the way you look.
According to The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD), one in three people are taking the steps to target these issues and insecurities using cosmetic dentistry.
What could go wrong?
A popular solution for many who aren’t happy with their teeth is porcelain veneers. Veneers are wafer-thin strips of pearly-white porcelain that are bonded to the surface of the tooth. It is a fast simple procedure that is mainly discomfort free.
The original tooth is filed down before the veneer is bonded on top, and the option provides a faster solution than caps or crowns and does not require invasive surgery. Find out more about how veneers are bonded to the teeth.
With a growing demand for cosmetic dentistry comes a growing field of under-qualified dentists, who are responsible for failed or problematic procedures.
The problem is that, to some extent, the industry lacks regulation. Any high-street dentist can offer cosmetic veneers, regardless of qualifications and experience.
Many dentists believe that it is acceptable for every dentist to provide veneers, since the procedure involves routine techniques that every dentist should be able to do. However, this is not the view that we subscribe to at The Perfect Smile.
Any smile makeover treatment requires a high level of skill, experience and care, when its your teeth are the object being operated on, any small mistake can have an enormous effect on the patient’s overall teeth and gums.
What do dentists need to consider when treating veneers?
- Colour match – this is a challenge because the dentist often has to choose more than one colour, so as to match the surrounding teeth. The process can be mastered through experience and dedicated attention. Close communication with an excellent dental lab is a must-have.
- Shape of the tooth – it is important to ask the patient what shape of teeth they prefer, but also to decipher what shape will look best in that particular mouth. You may need to file teeth to shape and make them smaller, or cover/fill cracks or chips with veneers.
- The gums and mouth as a whole – we need to look at the overall health of the patient’s mouth because there are aspects of oral health that may need to be treated before veneers can be applied.
- The patient’s desires – the dentist does not only have to be skilled, but also has to be a strong communicator and have a solid idea of what the patient actually wants and needs treatment for.
- Offering alternative options – veneers are not the only option and some dentists may be quick to offer a full mouth of veneers rather than providing alternative options that might be more suitable.
Many dentists succeed in providing treatment that looks good initially, but problems can arise later down the line. Venners can come off teeth and implants can fail.
You don’t want to find yourself in a situation where you have paid for veneers with an unqualified dentist, and then end up paying again in order to fix the mismanaged procedure.
Additionally, the problems may occur even 15 to 20 years down the line, when the veneer needs to be replaced. Choosing a dentist with verified experience will save you money, effort, time and stress.
If you are interested in organising a consultation meeting to find out what kind of cosmetic dentistry treatment may be available to you then please get in contact today on 01992 552115.