Beware of Veneer Techs: Only Trust a Dentist to Do Your Dental Work
If you’re interested in getting porcelain veneers, you might have recently become aware of veneer techs who offer seemingly incredible prices on the popular procedure. The truth is, only licensed dentists can place veneers and if you choose another type of provider, you could face very serious – even life-threatening – consequences. At 38th Street Dental in Austin, TX, we educate our patients not only on the benefits of veneers but also on the importance of choosing a reputable, trusted provider. In this blog post, we’ll explore what a veneer tech is and why you should never trust them with your smile.
What Are Veneer Techs?
“Veneer technicians,” as they refer to themselves, are people who have completed a two-day course in porcelain veneer planning, fabrication, and placement. The course typically costs $2,000-3,000, after which they receive a certificate of completion. Nothing about this training makes it legal for these individuals to practice dentistry of any kind.
How Is a Dentist Different?
Dentists are required to fulfill very different requirements in order to legally practice. They undergo years of training in areas like cosmetic dentistry. They must be licensed and have individual National Provider Identifiers (NPIs). NPIs allow them to purchase the instruments and materials they need to safely provide porcelain veneers to their patients.
Veneer Risks & Safety Issues
The reason more and more people have heard about veneer techs lately is largely because of two TikTok videos – one from the perspective of a tech and one warning viewers about the botched work she’d had done. In this extreme case, the woman’s veneers fell off after just two days. Because veneer techs cannot purchase the high-quality professional-grade materials someone with an NPI can, they often use unsafe materials purchased from Amazon, for example. Sometimes, they even use nail supplies like acrylic materials.
Aside from a poor cosmetic outcome, people who choose to work with a veneer tech run the risk of oral health issues. At 38th Street Dental in Austin, we are meticulous about performing a comprehensive exam before we’ll recommend any type of cosmetic work. Techs, on the other hand, perform nothing of the sort. Say you have a cavity and that tooth is covered with a veneer. The infection can only travel inward, eventually affecting the root canals of the tooth. Untreated root canal infections can introduce harmful bacteria into the bloodstream, causing sepsis and even death.
While this might sound like an extreme example, it’s a very real risk if you choose to work with an unlicensed provider.
Are You Concerned About Veneers’ Cost?
People who have posted videos about their experiences with veneer techs report they were drawn by the allure of cost savings. In some cases, techs provide veneers for as little as $800.
At our Austin office, we charge $1,200 per tooth and we also accept flexible financing plans through CareCredit® and Lending Club. Keep in mind our pricing is competitive with industry averages and you’ll have the peace of mind knowing your investment will provide long-lasting benefits that don’t put your health at risk.
Meet With Us to Learn More
At 38th Street Dental, we are committed to providing high-quality dentistry to patients on virtually any budget. During a consultation, we can discuss your candidacy, provide an estimate, and develop a cost plan to place veneers within reach. Email us today to get started.