If you regularly get lost on TikTok, there is little chance that you have missed these mutilated dentitions that give us goosebumps … A mandatory step for the installation of dental veneers? We will explain everything to you !
While more and more young people are currently having what they believe to be "dental veneers", many of them are enjoying posting the process of transforming their teeth – before, during, after – on the network. social TikTok.
If the difference between before and after is startling, what especially catches our attention, it is the moment before putting on the new smile. Limit to the extreme and comparable to that of a shark, the teeth are unrecognizable!
If this practice has been widely democratized by influencers, for whom it has almost become a real rite of passage, it does not make it any less controversial.
And for good reason: is it really necessary to mutilate your teeth in order to have veneers installed? Also, is it reasonable for such young people to choose this technique? These are two of the questions we asked Dr Martine Zisserman – the most advanced dental veneer specialist in Europe – who helps us here to disentangle the truth from the false. To your notes!
Dental veneers or crowns: a big difference
As Dr Zisserman explains very simply, a dental veneer " it is a film, like a small layer of enamel, that we stick directly on the tooth ". To do this, it is then possible to file very lightly the visible side of the latter, in order to increase the adhesion, but nothing which does not modify too much the appearance of the natural tooth. Dr Zisserman goes on to explain to us that this technique is particularly recommended in the event of aesthetic problem (such as the presence of stains, a lack of shine or a problem with the alignment of the teeth, for example). She also confirms that the placement of veneers – whatever they are – does not in any way justify such mutilation of the teeth as seen in many TikTok videos …
This therefore means that what these young people believe to be dental veneers actually turn out to be crowns!
Dr Zisserman explains to us that, unlike dental veneers, only the laying of crowns requires the teeth to be cut as follows: "In this way, the crown can then fit like a small hat on what remains of each tooth, thus restoring them to their initial volume. ". You will have noticed: this process is exactly what you see in the videos illustrating this article.
Why are dental crowns not recommended?
It is quite possible to have dental crowns fitted to improve the condition of your smile, it is even a very common practice. Only here, when you are young and / or have healthy teeth, it is a very bad idea. Indeed, Dr. Zisserman explains: “ Crowns are preferred when teeth are severely damaged or broken ". She adds that it's a shame to mutilate a healthy tooth and place a dental crown in it, especially with all the new methods out there today. When you deliberately remove the most important part of the tooth – which she says is the enamel / dentin junction – there is no turning back. The natural tooth is weakened and mutilated for life. Such a waste !
Dental veneers or crowns: a tailor-made project
These are the reasons why the two options – dental veneers or crowns – should always be considered by the dentist who will take care of your smile, so that the right decision is made. What to remember, whatthere is no point in placing dental veneers on excessively damaged teeth, or even worse: mutilating healthy teeth in order to install crowns.
In Dr Zisserman's dental practice, in particular, we talk about a real tailor-made project. Simulation, impressions, color and size of the veneers, color of the composite (dental glue)… Each step is personalized. Moreover, it is precisely this specificity that Martine Zisserman enjoys the most in her work: " I like not always doing the same thing, I love these little finishes and having to reinvent myself every time! ".
But then how, conversely, can certain professionals accept such mutilations? What we do know is that the majority of people having crowns fitted despite the good condition of their teeth do so abroad, where dental training is not necessarily the same as in France (be careful , this is not the case for all clinics). Also, the price of a dental veneer is generally very expensive, when the crowns can be partially covered (in the event of an accident, for example).
The different types of dental veneers
Once the option of crowns has been ruled out, it remains to determine what type of dental veneers to have. Dr Zisserman describes the various main possibilities: “ There are composite veneers, which are cheaper, but more likely to wear out and change color faster. And ceramic (or porcelain) veneers, therefore at a higher price, but also finer and more qualitative ".
For Martine Zisserman, it is quite possible to achieve a beautiful smile with the installation of composite veneers, however, in her dental practice, she almost always favors ceramics. " Except in an emergency, for a temporary installation », She specifies.
How to maintain your dental veneers?
Of course, we also asked this dandruff dental veneer professional (meaning ultra-thin, or 0.1 millimeter thick) to give us all her advice on taking care of her teeth, once the dental veneers have been installed. . This is what she told us: " you must brush your teeth well down to the gums, do not use too abrasive or whitening toothpaste, avoid baking soda (which can damage the glaze of the ceramic), use dental floss … ". In summary : not much more than with natural teeth, they are used and treated in almost the same way. Dr Zisserman reminds us: “ It is as if it were a small layer of enamel that you put on your teeth ".
According to her, the benefits would not only be aesthetic and the dental veneers could also contribute, in their own way, to oral health: “ Improvement of the gingival fluid, no development of pie between the veneer and the tooth or cavities… ”.
The lifespan of dental veneers
And with regard to the lifespan of dental veneers, Martine Zisserman reassures us: “ They have proven themselves! ". It must be said that they are applied to the best bonding surface there is: tooth enamel. So, of course, a veneer can break like a tooth would, but generally speaking, it holds up very well. Dr. Zisserman assures us: " The first veneers date back to 1982 and no specific complications have been determined since ". Despite this, for his patients, each dental veneer placed is still guaranteed for five years!
Perfect alignment, a bright and well-proportioned smile, all without mutilation of natural teeth? Dental veneers are definitely the technique of choice when you want to change the appearance of your healthy teeth. This is why, before doing anything definitive to your teeth – or to any other part of your body for that matter – always make sure ofbe aware of all the necessary information and turn to real·e·s professional·the·s in the matter !
thanks to Dr Zisserman – the most cutting-edge dental veneer specialist in Europe – for its details and expertise.
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