I went to see my dentist about getting a smile makeover. My smile is finally healthy after a number of years. I want to improve how it looks now. My dentist is suggesting that I get porcelain veneers. However, they are VERY expensive. I did some investigating and it looks like I can get online dental veneers. These don’t attach all the way to your teeth, but just snap on. They are much less expensive. Would this be a good option for me?
Sandy
Dear Sandy,
There are a variety of these type of snap on teeth. One of the better ones is Snap-on Smile. However, even with those, there are some big differences between these and porcelain veneers which it is important that you are aware of before making your decision.
First, while porcelain veneers are (obviously) made of porcelain, Snap-on Smile is made of acrylic. Why does that matter? One reason is that porcelain mimics the appearance of natural tooth structure, and therefore will look natural. Acrylic will look okay from a distance, but can look fake up close. Another issue is their longevity. Porcelain, when well taken care of, will last for decades. I would not expect your Snap-on Smile to last more than a few years before they have to be replaced.
Second, you will need to take the snap-on options out after every meal. While you can eat with them, you will immediately need to remove them and take a trip the the restroom to rinse them out and brush them as well as your teeth. Otherwise, you are at a much greater risk for decay. You don’t want to ruin the health of your teeth because of these.
Finally, the appearance of Snap-on Smile will not be as stunning, or even natural looking, as porcelain veneers. They’re okay for an occasion where you are wanting to quickly upgrade your smile or even for a photo shoot of some kind to get more a more attractive smile for headshots. There is the additional problem of them snapping over your teeth. This adds bulk to your smile. If you already have a big smile or some teeth that stick out a bit, then this is going to make them look even more pronounced.
If you have reasonable expectations, by which I mean you will get an okay, slightly inconvenient smile, then Snap-on Smile will do for you. If you want a stunning smile, I would save up for the porcelain veneers. In the meantime, even doing something simple and inexpensive, such as professional teeth whitening, can dramatically improve your smile while you are saving up.
This blog is brought to you by Des Moines Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Phelan Thomas.