Everyone wants a perfect, dazzling smile — and getting a set of dental veneers is the most popular way to achieve it! This procedure isn’t inexpensive, but if you spend any amount of time on social media — particularly TikTok — you’ve likely come across videos by so-called “veneer techs” offering significant bargains. Don’t be fooled! The American Dental Association (ADA) and dentists throughout the United States are sounding the alarm about these unlicensed, unqualified, unscrupulous individuals who take their patient’s money and perform “work” that’s resulted in permanent damage in far too many cases.
As Park Crossing Dentistry explains the situation: “Veneer technicians offer veneer application services without the necessary qualifications. These technicians often complete brief training courses, sometimes lasting only a few days, and receive certificates of completion. However, these certificates do not grant them the credentials required to legally perform dental procedures. Only licensed dentists have the education and certification to apply veneers safely.”
Veneer Techs Operate Illegally
Let’s make it clear: “veneer techs” are not recognized, regulated, or affiliated with any dental health organization. In reality, there is no official “veneer tech” title, and performing dentistry without a license is illegal — a felony in most states, including Illinois. As stated earlier, only licensed dentists have the education, training and legal authority to place dental veneers.
Unfortunately, this isn’t stopping veneer techs from operating. Arrests for practicing dentistry without a license are increasing throughout the country — as are reports of the permanent damage these individuals inflict upon their bargain-seeking patients. This shouldn’t be surprising. How ethical can you expect someone who knowingly breaks the law to be? How concerned about your health and safety can you expect that person to be? Veneer techs only want your money, and feel no responsibility toward you.
If you learned about veneer techs on TikTok, do a Google Search to learn about the numerous risks of having veneers applied by a veneer tech! We’ve even made it easy for you — just CLICK HERE to get started!
The Risks of Having Veneers Applied by a Veneer Tech
To summarize the main points of what you’ll learn on Google (or your favorite search engine), here they are on one web page.
Work is performed in an unsterile environment — Dental offices maintain sterile environments by following CDC-recommended Standard Precautions, which include meticulous hand hygiene, consistent use of personal protective equipment (PPE), proper cleaning and sterilization of critical instruments using autoclaves or other methods, regular disinfection of surfaces with EPA-registered disinfectants, safe handling of sharps, and proper management of waste and environmental surfaces. Sterilization processes must be monitored using mechanical, chemical, and biological indicators to ensure complete elimination of microorganisms. Need we point out that the makeshift environments in which veneer techs operate meet none of these standards?
Use of non-medical grade instruments and materials — Unlicensed technicians lack professional dental tools, using improvised equipment like nail salon tools — which also increases the risk of infection and the spread of disease. Moreover, they use low-quality, non-medical-grade acrylic or other materials purchased online, leading to poor results, potential allergic reactions and premature failure of the veneers. Veneers obtained from a licensed dentist should last from 20 to 25 years. Those from veneer techs have been reported to crack and break off within days or weeks after application.
Improper removal of tooth enamel —Despite their small width, veneer application requires the removal of a minimal amount of tooth enamel. Professional dental training is essential to determining the correct amount of enamel removal. Veneer techs may remove excessive enamel, which weakens the teeth, increases the risk of sensitivity and oral pain, and leaves teeth vulnerable to decay and infection. As we always point out, tooth enamel does not regenerate — once it’s gone, it’s gone forever!
Possible tooth and nerve damage — In addition to removing too much enamel, veneer techs can damage teeth in many other ways. As they have no knowledge about tooth anatomy, improper preparation of the tooth can lead to nerve damage or increased sensitivity to hot and cold, causing long-term pain. Going back to the use of non-medical grade materials, a veneer tech arrested in Florida reportedly used Krazy Glue to adhere veneers on the teeth of her patients. Krazy Glue can expand and generate heat. Said one investigator about the case, “It can cook a nerve, meaning root canal therapy. It’s not to be used in the mouth.”
Bite alteration — While legitimate, licensed dentists ensure that veneers follow the natural curve of each tooth, and that the bite will be unchanged, veneer techs have no such concerns. A poorly fitted veneer can alter your bite, causing discomfort, jaw pain and other long-term dental complications.
Application over unhealthy teeth — Since veneer techs aren’t dentists, they won’t perform a dental examination to be sure your teeth and gums are free of decay, periodontal disease, or other conditions that need to be corrected before veneers can even be considered. It’s common for veneer techs to apply their improvised veneers over teeth with cavities, or where signs of periodontal disease — such as swollen gums — are present.
High cost of correction — We’ve never seen a report or read an article about a successful, trouble-free set of veneers applied by a veneer tech. If you think you’re getting a bargain by forgoing treatment by a licensed dentist, be assured that you will soon be paying far more than what legitimate treatment would have cost in the first place! Fixing botched work by an unlicensed technician can be extremely expensive and may require procedures costing thousands of dollars per tooth — assuming correction is possible.
The Correct Procedure for Veneers as Performed by a Licensed Dentist
Getting a set of veneers is a multistep process that begins with a consultation with your dentist, who will examine your mouth to be sure it’s free of dental decay, periodontal disease, or other conditions that need to be addressed first. The next step is discussing a treatment plan, during which you’ll select the desired color of your veneers. Our blog post — “What are Veneers?” — covers this topic in detail.
The basic procedure is as follows; specific steps may vary depending upon your individual case:
- Teeth will be prepared by removing a layer of enamel, which will allow the veneer to fit securely over the tooth, and create a strong bond.
- Your dentist will make a mold of your prepared teeth, and make a set of temporary acrylic veneers while your porcelain veneers are being custom fabricated at the dental laboratory. Veneers take approximately two to four weeks to be made and sent back to the dentist.
- Once the veneers are back, your dentist will cement them to your prepared teeth using a special bonding solution.
Direct composite veneers are another option. Also called “composite bonding” or simply “bonding,” composite veneers are sculpted on your teeth directly by the dentist, rather than in an offsite lab. The shaped resin is hardened using a high-intensity light, after which additional layers of resin can be applied and sculpted as needed to create the desired aesthetic result. Our blog post – “Is Composite Bonding Right for You?” – covers this type of veneer in detail.
The Take-Home Message
Unfortunately, social media has spread a great amount of misinformation and bad advice that encourages DIY dental procedures — such as paper clip braces and using a nail file on your teeth — and other cosmetic procedures that forego being performed by a licensed dentist or orthodontist. Our blog post — “Five Social Media Trends That Can Harm Your Teeth” — covers this topic in detail.
The low prices that veneer techs charge are the big draw to their illegal services. As we hope you’ve learned, trusting them to perform this procedure in order to save money is ultimately counterproductive and can cause long-term or permanent damage to your teeth that will be even more expensive to mitigate. At NK Family Dental, we understand the main concern you may have in seeking cosmetic dentistry is cost, which is why we accept all major PPO plans for dental insurance and also offer our in-house dental plan. Please see our financing page for more information.
It is our mission to provide the highest quality and most compassionate oral care to our Chicago patients, including both dental and periodontal services. Our practice is trusted for advanced oral surgery procedures and comfortable root canal treatment.
Our team of experienced, dedicated dental professionals will help address your oral health concerns, and determine the best solution for you based on your individual situation. We strive to identify treatment options that fit your needs. Our dental specialists include our general dentist, Dr. Nilofer Khan, our endodontist, Dr. Sabek, and our periodontist, Dr. Amir Danesh. Dr. Danesh is a board-certified periodontist and Diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology. He has contributed to the publication of two books, as well as published over 20 papers in prestigious dental research journals.
We serve the neighborhoods of Logan Square, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, and Wicker Park with the dedication that’s earned us the reputation as the Best Dentist in Chicago!
Schedule your visit through ZocDoc, or contact us directly. We look forward to treating you soon!