Excessive Use of Dental Veneers
The following is a graphic video of a patient’s teeth being prepared for full porcelain veneers. It shows the amount of damage necessary to use this cosmetic technique. There are more conservative porcelain veneer preparations, but none can compete keeping your own natural teeth with the orthodontic repositioning, reshaping and whitening.
Two of the most famous and influential professors in General Dentistry and Cosmetic Dentistry have recently issued warnings to the public about the overuse of dental veneers and porcelain veneers. The following excerpts will give you cause for concern when thinking about a Cosmetic Dentistry Smile Makeover. You need to consider all the facts carefully and understand all the options available to you.
These famous cosmetic dentistry professors are asking their fellow professionals to "wake up" and think about what they are being taught or sold by private lecturers and dental veneer manufacturers. Placing dental veneers or porcelain veneers is often wrong or incorrect treatment for an individual patient. These leaders are warning the public that some general dentists and cosmetic dentists are not doing what is best for the patient. They are doing what makes them the most money.
Dr. Gordon Christensen is one of the most respected dental lecturers and educators in the dental profession. Dr. Christensen’s concerns should be carefully considered by dentists and the general public. The following is a summary of an article by Gordon J. Christensen DDS MSD PhD. titled:
“I have had enough. I was one of the original instigators of the recognition of esthetic dentistry, over 25 years ago. However my pet subject has turned into a monster with unbelievable overtreatment of unsuspecting patients.”
“Dentists are actually being taught by popular speakers on how to do the same overtreatment to their patients.”
“…oral overtreatment in the name of esthetic dentistry without total informed consent of patients, primarily for the dentist financial gain, is nothing less than overt dishonesty in its worst form.”
Dr. Peter Dawson is another leader in the field and his concern for offering patients the best care is very clear. His comments support the idea that orthodontic care is superior to “instant makeovers” using porcelain veneers and crowns. The following are excerpts from an interview with Dr. Peter E. Dawson in DT, Oct. 2007:
“Repositioning teeth is almost always a better option than unnecessary restorations. Reshaping and whitening procedures can often eliminate the need for laminates (porcelain veneers) on teeth that can be made beautiful without restorations.”
“But the problem of overtreatment goes far beyond adding expense. Overtreatment can, and often is harmful to patients.”
Translated into layman’s terms, some dentists are using veneers when orthodontics combined with reshaping and whitening would be the better choice. That’s our opinion too! Dr. Newhart developed the Two Month Smiles - Accelerated Orthodontic System™ to meet the needs of these patients.
