It isn’t uncommon for dental patients to experience some insecurity surrounding their smile. Whether it isn’t as straight as they’d like or they wish their teeth were a little whiter, some patients want a cosmetic change. When considering making cosmetic changes, some patients may turn to a veneer tech for cost-saving smile improvements. However, this may be far more risky than you realize.
At Jenson Dental, we understand how significantly your smile can impact your self-esteem. However, we also understand how detrimental it can be to seek dental treatments from untrained, unlicensed technicians. If you have been considering speaking to a veneer tech about their services, keep reading to learn why that may be a huge mistake.
What is a Veneer Tech?
In recent months, TikTok users have begun posting videos of themselves receiving partial or full smile makeovers from veneer techs. These technicians state that they have undergone a comprehensive two-day training program to learn how to create and administer veneers. While a veneer tech may sound like a legitimate oral health practitioner, it is important to note that this is a made-up title. There is no such thing as a veneer tech.
In fact, the only person who can administer veneers is a trained and licensed dentist. Learning how to administer veneers takes years of training. Dentists must undergo four years of rigorous education and training before they receive a degree. During this training, they spend weeks or months at a time learning complex dental procedures to ensure they are done correctly and that they don’t unintentionally damage a patient’s teeth.
Ultimately, there is no comparison between a veneer tech and a dentist. One is a trained, educated, licensed, and insured professional who may legally administer veneer treatments. The other is performing dental services under the guise of an illegitimate dental certificate that may pose significant risks to the health and well-being of anyone who chooses to visit them for their services.
Why You Shouldn’t See a Veneer Technician
There are many significant risks associated with seeking dental services from a veneer tech that can impact your long-term oral health. Some of the most significant risks include:
1. Excessive Loss of Enamel
Dental professionals work hard to ensure they don’t wear down too much of your enamel before installing your veneers. Without professional training, veneer techs may grind down too much of your enamel, which you can never restore. This loss of enamel can result in chronic pain, persistent cavity development, tooth decay, or tooth loss. If you want to protect your teeth from this painful damage, it is best to avoid these technicians completely.
2. Oral Health Impacts Heart Health
You’ve probably heard that your oral health impacts your heart health. Bacteria from your mouth may enter your bloodstream, making its way to other parts of your body. This bacteria may lead to inflammation and infection of your heart vessels and valves, which may cause heart attacks, strokes, and sudden vascular events. If you choose to trust an untrained professional with your veneer installation, you are putting your heart health in their hands, which may lead to significant health deterioration over time.
3. They’re Uninsured
In many jurisdictions, dentists are required to have malpractice insurance, which covers them against claims of injury or medical negligence. This means that if your dentist harms you during a procedure, you are protected. However, a veneer tech isn’t privy to this insurance. In fact, because this is not a real profession, there is no insurance in place should they cause harm to you during your veneer installation. If you get hurt while visiting a veneer tech, it is on you to cover the cost of subsequent dental and medical treatments. That means any trips to the ER or an emergency dentist will fall on your shoulders.
4. They’ll Cost More in the Long Term
Veneers are an incredibly costly investment to make in your smile. On average, they cost between $925 and $2,500 per tooth or up to $20,000 for your entire mouth. A veneer tech, on the other hand, may offer a complete set of veneers for a few thousand dollars. While this might sound appealing in the short term, the cost will only rise as time goes on. Add up the cost of restorative root canals, full dental crown corrections, or potential extraction and dental prosthesis, and suddenly you’ve spent tens of thousands of dollars, and in some cases over $50,000, to correct your veneer technician’s mistake.
How Do You Know Your Dental Professional is Legitimate?
If you aren’t sure whether you are seeing a legitimate dental professional for your service, there are a few things you can do. First, head to your state’s licensing board. Every state has its own license lookup, where you can verify that your dentist is licensed by the state, where they went to school, when the license was issued, and if there are any disciplinary actions on their license.
Then, take a look at your dental provider’s office setup. While a veneer tech may have the tools to provide the service, they often operate out of salons, spas, or booth rent spaces. You should only receive dental services in clean and professional dental offices. If they aren’t in one, it is likely that they are not a legitimate practitioner.
Finally, if you are still unsure, ask to see their license. Many states, including Utah, require dentists to display a copy of their current license in office. Failing to do so is considered an unprofessional dental practice. If they don’t have a license to show and instead produce a veneer certificate, they are not a legitimate dental professional, and you shouldn’t trust them with any dental procedures.
Cosmetic Dentistry in North Ogden
If you have been considering getting veneers and you want to avoid dangerous services from veneer techs, turn to our team at Jenson Dental. Our team of trained, licensed, and insured dentists and hygienists have been providing reliable dental services to patients across the Wasatch Front for decades, making us the best investment in your oral health.
Whether you’re looking for cosmetic dentistry, trying to schedule a cleaning, or looking for a new office to call home, our team is here to support you through your oral health journey. If you would like to learn more about our cosmetic dentistry services or you’re ready to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to contact our team today.
