Professional Veneers vs. DIY Veneers

Thanks to the internet, we can now buy basically anything we want in just a few clicks and have it delivered right to our front door. Unfortunately, this mindset of buying things online has made its way into the dental world, and patients can purchase anything from teeth whitening kits to at-home orthodontics and DIY dental veneers without ever seeing their dentist in Valparaiso. Today, we want to talk about some of the problems with DIY veneers and why you should think twice before adding these temporary appliances to your shopping cart. 

What Are DIY Veneers?

DIY veneers are dental appliances that anyone can buy online. They’re often made from cheaper materials and are designed to give users a temporary new smile. DIY veneers are usually affixed to natural teeth through a dental adhesive. Some brands may require patients to take and mail-in molds of their teeth prior to creating the appliance while other brands do not. 

Disadvantages of DIY Veneers

We understand that the lower price tag can make DIY veneers attractive to someone looking to improve the appearance of their smile. However, our dental team in Valparaiso encourages anyone considering DIY veneers to read these disadvantages before buying. 

• Temporary – DIY veneers are only meant to be worn occasionally, and some patients can only tolerate them for a few hours at a time. Additionally, the materials used in many DIY veneers are of low quality. This means it’s highly likely that multiple sets will need to be purchased over time. So while the lower price tag may have had its appeal at first, the fact that patients only get short periods of an improved appearance can quickly counteract any savings. 

• Not Custom – Unlike professional veneers from your dentist in Valparaiso, DIY veneers are not truly custom — even the brands that require molds of your teeth aren’t really custom. There’s nobody to take the size of your natural teeth or mouth into consideration and nobody to monitor how the device fits in your mouth. This often results in an uncomfortable fit and an unflattering appearance.

• Bite Problems – A bigger concern of using DIY veneers relates to how they can affect the rest of your mouth, specifically your bite. If the appliance is uncomfortable or doesn’t fit correctly, patients tend to unknowingly adjust their bite or put unnecessary strain on their teeth and jaw joints. This can cause pain and, over time, problems with the TMJ/TMD. 

• Decay – Another problem that can occur from an ill-fitting DIY veneer appliance is decay. If there are any spaces between the appliance, the glue, and the natural teeth, it gives food particles and bacteria the perfect place to hide and cause damage. The longer the food pieces of bacteria are left to linger, the more likely a patient is to get a cavity or severe decay.  

You don’t need to rely on a cheap and concerning DIY dental appliance that you can buy online. There are many different forms of cosmetic dentistry available to fix any problem you may have. If you’re unhappy with any aspect of your smile, do yourself and favor and call your Valparaiso dentist to set up a consultation. It’s the best way to make sure you get a truly custom, permanent solution that you’ll be happy with. 

About The Author

Dr. Joseph Majka

After earning his dental degree in 1993, Dr. Joseph Majka provided dental care for migrant farm workers’ children through the Indiana State Department of Health. Months later, he began practicing family and cosmetic dentistry. For years, he was involved in different charitable activities, providing free dental care for the underprivileged in the community. Dr. Majka has attended several continuing education courses that cover all aspects of dental care and is affiliated with numerous dental associations.

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