Dental veneers are increasingly becoming a popular option for patients seeking to enhance their smile and facial esthetics. In turn dentists are integrating cosmetic dental service of dental veneers into their practice in increasing numbers to provide an additional revenue source, especially since cosmetic dentistry is considered an elective service by most insurance companies. Services like dental veneers are not usually covered by insurance companies.
However, very few dentists offering dental veneers as services within their practice have adequate training. In fact, most dentists claiming it as a part of their area of focus have minimal training. The reality is that cosmetic dentistry receives minimal attention in dental schools. There is so much focus in dental school’s curriculum on restorative and preventative aspect of dentistry that it leaves little time for cosmetic dental procedure training.
In some cases, inadequate training may lead to disastrous consequence as seen below. This patient came to our office complaining of stained veneers.
Before new veneers
After new veneers
In reality, the dental veneers were poorly bonded and poorly fabricated which led to gum disease and decay around the veneers within the first two years of being placed.
Extensive training in dental veneers and cosmetic dentistry after dental school is extremely valuable for several reasons:
- The bonding process of dental veneers is very technique sensitive. Adequate training and experience are the two most important factors in mastering this process – Deep understanding of Bite Biomechanics is critical to dental veneers success and longevity. – Contrary to the common knowledge, there are several options and types of Dental Veneers with various indications.
How do you avoid a dental veneers or cosmetic dentistry disaster? Make sure that your dentist has adequate training in cosmetic dentistry. Ask your dentist to tell you about their training classes they have taken since dental school. Check to see if those classes are in cosmetic dentistry. Dental school training alone is usually insufficient.
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