I truly want to believe that a beautiful smile with porcelain veneers can be a reality for me. But, I’m nervous that I won’t get the results that I’m seeing online. How do I know they will work before I spend all this money?
-Shayna in Florida
Shayna,
Porcelain veneers can give you the smile of your dreams, as long as you are a candidate. There are some instances where porcelain veneers may not be right for you. But an excellent cosmetic dentist will be able to confidently tell you whether or not they will be a good fit. They work well for minor chips or imperfections. Porcelain veneers can also correct minor spacing issues and discolored teeth.
But since you asked, here are the big pitfalls you need to be aware of if you are concerned about their success.
Avoid These 4 Mistakes When Shopping for Porcelain Veneers
1. Unhealthy Oral Health
If you don’t take good care of your teeth and have issues with your gums, you may not be a candidate for porcelain veneers. If your gums become irritated or swollen, you may experience gum recession. This means that the porcelain veneers won’t look right because there will be some extra space at the top of each one. Also, the area where the gums end and the veneers begin is an area that is highly prone to plaque and an increased risk of decay. It’s always best to check with your dental hygienist to make sure your gums are healthy before moving forward.
2. Not Reviewing the Cosmetic Dentist’s Before and Afters
It’s important to realize that cosmetic dentistry is an art. Just because a dentist tells you he or she can do porcelain veneers, doesn’t mean they have the experience or skill level to create beautiful results. Be sure to look at the dentist’s gallery for before and after images of cases similar to yours. Be sure you like how they look, get a feel for their style and and the end result.
3. Cosmetic Dentist is Affiliated with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)
We touched on it before – you can’t take a dentist’s word for it that they are an expert cosmetic dentist. This is because there is no recognized specialty area for cosmetic dentistry. So, in order to ensure you have found the best cosmetic dentist in your area, it is a good idea to see if they are affiliated with the AACD. It requires extensive training beyond dental school to perfect cosmetic dentistry and the AACD has strict requirements to be an accredited member.
4. Don’t Bargain Shop
It’s true that porcelain veneers are expensive. But, whatever you do, don’t price shop when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. Instead of comparing price, find the best dentist by researching their credentials and reviewing samples of their work. Far too many cosmetic dentistry patients end up unhappy with their results when they let price be the main factor. Of course it can be tempting to compare prices. But, think of it this way. If you end up with unsatisfactory results, the only thing that can be done is to have the work redone. This will be a much larger expense in the long run than finding the right cosmetic dentist the first time.
James T. Gavrilos, DDS is a cosmetic dentist in the Barrington area. He recommends that new patients schedule a complimentary consultation where you can ask your questions and meet the dentist. Most expert cosmetic dentists offer something similar. So, that is the best way to get started. Best of luck!