Many influencers have veneers applied to wear an irreproachable smile, like actresses and singers. This 100% aesthetic dental procedure, whose merits are praised on social networks, is not without risk. Better not to resort to it lightly. Glued to the front of the incisors, canines, or even premolars, the veneers make it possible to quickly hide the visible defects of the dentition :stains, lack of luster, excessive spacing or cracks for example.
If this option can be interesting in the event of chipped teeth, of unsightly shape - in particular in grain of rice - or discolored following the taking of antibiotics, its growing popularity is not acclaimed by all dental surgeons. Far from it.
Deteriorating healthy teeth for purely aesthetic purposes is not necessarily worth the effort . "We must not give in to the current trend of veneers, assures Dr. Lisa Harand, dental surgeon and collaborator at Happybrush. Before considering this solution, it is always better to try to obtain the desired result by methods less invasive" .
The lifespan of veneers depends on many factors:oral hygiene, the pressure exerted on the teeth, the quality of the installation and the material used. Ceramic ones are more durable. They generally last ten to fifteen years and are not very vulnerable to stains from wine, cigarettes or coffee.
On the other hand, "composite veneers have a shorter lifespan, observes Dr. Harand. They wear out more quickly and their color can deteriorate". They are certainly less expensive, but must be replaced every five to seven years!
Video of the day:The installation of traditional veneers requires abrasion of the enamel to compensate for the thickness of the prosthesis. "However, you should know that the enamel removed does not restore itself naturally", explains Lisa Harang. It is therefore impossible to go back:it will always be necessary to resort to the placement of another prosthesis (new veneer or crown) if the initial veneer is damaged.
Dandruff veneers - called "without preparation" - only require polishing, but they are not really reversible. In addition, their very delicate pose requires the use of a very experienced practitioner, otherwise disappointment will be at the rendezvous. They also seem to be poorly suited for modifying the shape and shade of the teeth.
“Veneers are not for everyone, warns Dr Christophe Lequart, dental surgeon spokesperson for the French Union for Oral Health (UFSBD). They are particularly contraindicated for people whose hygiene oral cavity is not perfect because cavities can develop on the treated tooth.And with dandruff veneers, there can be an over-contour at the neck of the tooth, conducive to the retention of bacteria and the development gingivitis".
Even if the loss of enamel is minimal during the placement of the veneer, it is also possible that the tooth may become more sensitive to hot and cold. Ill-fitting veneers can also cause occlusion problems that can cause bruxism or jaw and neck pain. And in very rare cases, the abrasion can lead to painful inflammation of the dental nerve.
The consumption of certain foods is also problematic, such as caramels or artichoke leaves, which exert traction on the teeth and thus promote the detachment of the facets.
To get a brighter smile without lasting damage to the teeth, you can start by opting for a good cleaning at the dentist , which already eliminates many stains embedded in the enamel.
"If this measure is not sufficient, professional bleaching can be considered to lighten the color of the teeth, advises Dr. Harand. Orthodontic treatment is also possible in the event of dental malposition".
Alternatives to braces, such as clear aligners (Smilers, Invisalign or French Aligners) give good results. Talk to your dentist before rushing for veneers.
Namely:the laying of veneers is not reimbursed by social security. Count from 400 to 1200 € per ceramic veneer, depending on the technique chosen and the practitioner consulted.
