I have a bunch of discoloration on my teeth and want to get a smile makeover. My dentist quoted me quite a bit of money for that. Someone told me you can get snap on veneers online. I looked and some of them are only $500 for the whole set. Is this a good alternative?
Ivan
Dear Ivan,
It really depends on what type of expectations you have. As you probably gathered from the name, porcelain veneers are made of porcelain. That is not the case with snap-on veneers. These are generally made of acrylic. They will not look nearly as natural. Additionally, because they snap over your teeth, they will look bulky. So, if you go into it with expectations of an “okay” smile, you may be satisfied. However, I would not do the DIY ones online. They will fit even worse and could cause you some pain.
The best brand is Snap-on Smile. You would do it through a dentist who can fit your bite properly. Even then, they always need some adjustments when they come in that require special tools. You would not be able to do that on your own.
In general, these are recommended for someone with a horrible smile who is going for a job interview, or maybe someone doing a special photoshoot. For you, I would recommend if you do decide to get them, do it as a temporary measure while you save up for a better smile makeover. Truthfully, these snap-on veneers only last about three or four years anyway, so you’d have to keep buying them over and over or work to get something more permanent.
I know this probably isn’t what you wanted to hear, but I didn’t want to give you false expectations.
Who Should Do Your Porcelain Veneers
Because true porcelain veneers are so costly, I want to make sure you get the smile you really want. You should be aware that cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty. As a result, any general dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist regardless of the training they have or do not have. To make matters even more difficult, smile makeovers are not taught in dental school. It is up to the dentist to invest the time and money in that training.
One sure way you can get a cosmetic dentist who does have both the training and artistry to give you a stunning smile is to go to an AACD accredited dentist. These are the best cosmetic dentists in the country.
This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.
