I have been considering porcelain veneers for years. I’d like to have them placed on my four front teeth. I have been into see a couple cosmetic dentists for a consultation. But, I never moved forward. The main reason I haven’t moved forward is because they are so expensive. So, when I saw a local deal for porcelain veneers on Groupon, I was ecstatic. This deal seems too good to pass up. So, I went ahead and scheduled a consultation with the dentist listed on Groupon.
Should I be looking for any red flags? I sure love a good deal. But, I don’t want to end up with ugly porcelain veneers.
-Rebecka in Washington
Rebecka,
You are not alone. Everyone loves a good deal. But, you need to proceed with caution when it comes to porcelain veneers. Here’s the thing. Any dentist can make the claim to be a cosmetic dentist. But, not every dentist can create beautiful porcelain veneers. In order to be an expert cosmetic dentist requires extensive training beyond dental school. But, it is not a recognized specialty area in the dentistry. So, most patients trust that a dentist can do what they say or offer. That’s simply not the case with porcelain veneers.
Cosmetic dentistry is an art. It takes an eye for aesthetics and a passion for creating beauty. Most general dentists have a functional mindset. They are trained to fix a problem. Cosmetic dentists create. They are meticulous in creating a beautiful result, like an artist creating a masterpiece. That is the main reason they tend to be more expensive.
So, you have to pose the question – why is the Groupon dentist offering such a discounted service? Is he or she just starting out? Or what other corners are being cut? You may not be comparing apples to apples.
An excellent cosmetic dentist will meet with you and listen to your goals, desires and vision. They will design a smile that compliments your desires and your face shape, complexion and personality. You will have multiple appointments and opportunities to see each and every detail along the way. The color, shape, size and look will all be created uniquely to you. An expert cosmetic dentistry practice will likely offer you a guarantee that you will love it. Ask about the details and specifics on their guarantee on cosmetic dentistry in your consultation.
If you end up with a smile you don’t love, you’ll end up spending much more money down the road to get it fixed. There may be unforeseen issues if the veneers are done by a dentist that doesn’t possess the right skills. They may not be bonded properly or they may not look right. The list goes on and on. So, you are the only one that can answer the question – how good is the deal?
Hopefully, this will help you make the right decision. It cannot be stressed enough, be very careful when price shopping for porcelain veneers.
This post is sponsored by Barrington cosmetic dentist James T. Gavrilos, DDS.