Veneers gave me back my smile
While dental veneers are nothing new, they are getting their time in the spotlight with the comeback of red carpet events and the rise of the ring light selfie. With origins as a temporary on-camera transformation in Hollywood, today’s veneers have advanced into a much thinner, stronger and permanent change that improves your smile for the rest of your life. But is it right for you?
Dr. Joanna Cristi, chief operating officer and chief dentist at Dentacare, has been taking care of generations of patients since 1994. In recent years, she is surprised by the demand for veneers with an unexpected demographic. “The younger generation is more into the aesthetics aspect of it,” she observes. “They say, ‘Let’s do veneers right away!’ after seeing it on TikTok and on celebrities.
“I will always choose orthodontics when I can because you want to preserve the natural teeth,” she says. “You can eat anything, you can pick up an apple and bite into it. With veneers, no matter how well it is attached, you will have hesitations because it’s no longer natural.
“But then, life is too short to be insecure about the shape or shade of your teeth when there is a solution,” Dr. Cristi says. “No one regrets their veneers.”
Veneers are one way to restore someone’s teeth in dentistry as the least invasive of restorations in the way that fillings, crowns and dentures are used for more intense cases. Dentacare uses veneers to cover teeth discolored by taking medications (common culprits are certain antihistamines, drugs for high blood pressure, and antibiotics like tetracycline or doxycycline). Instead of bleaching out stubborn stains from lifestyle choices like drinking coffee, tea and red wine every two to three months, some of her patients choose to get veneers. And because teeth yellows with age and shrinks with wear, veneers also have an anti-aging benefit, lengthening and widening the healthy teeth. Some even go for B1 — the whitest shade for that superstar smile at any age.
It’s also the gold standard restoration for teeth grinders like myself. Through the years, my teeth have become noticeably smaller and shorter, giving me a gummy smile. While I have gone through years of braces to correct its alignment and bite, my teeth are now noticeably worn out —something braces can no longer fix and the perfect case for veneers.
Despite how instant it looks, it takes months to get to the point of attaching your veneers. You first have to create the right conditions to attach it. Four months prior, I had gum contouring to even out and lengthen my gums, a shockingly quick and painless procedure. A month later, when the lasered-out bits flaked off, I was back to fit my veneers.
As I got ready for veneer prep, seeing all the “shark teeth” videos on social media, I ask, is drastic cutting truly necessary? “Veneers can be conservative about teeth cutting. There will be some thickness and your lips will get used to it; some enjoy that they get fuller lips,” says Dr. Cristi.
“But there are cases that have too-deep, too-huge cavities inside. When this happens, I have to cut the teeth. But when teeth are healthy with no cavities, it will be a conservative approach. You don’t want to put a veneer over a decayed tooth or you will have problems later on; the goal is long-term.”
There are also cases that when the tooth structure is too crooked, the teeth can be shaved to even the alignment under veneers.
After prepping and fitting, it’s time to choose what kind of veneers I need. Dentacare offers three kinds. Want it thinner and unbelievably natural-looking for your front teeth? E-max, which is what I got. Do you need it to be thicker and stronger towards the back? Try Zirconia and Ceramage.
They are also one of the few clinics in the Philippines with their own in-house dental laboratory, offering an array of bespoke solutions that also applies to their other restorations. Apart from giving the dentists greater control of my treatment from start to finish, I also met their in-house ceramicist face-to-face so they can create a set that’s right for my overall features and needs instead of just following a mold. This advantage also shortens waiting time and also lets them respond faster to emergency fixes.
After the fitting, they applied my “temps,” dental bonding shaped into my ideal smile. While other clinics sell this as an alternative to veneers, Dr. Cristi advises, “Dental bondings have disadvantages; because it’s a composite, it will stink. It’s a resin material that’s the same as dental fillings. It absorbs everything you eat and drink and you won’t be able to floss.” Flossing is an essential step in taking care of the teeth, natural or not, to prevent infection not only of the teeth but also the gums.
Dr. Cristi has a light hand and was very meticulous throughout the process, making the process from consultation to attachment as comfortable as possible. Because this will be a semi-permanent change, she was empowering in helping me choose the right shape for my features, each tooth individually formed as lifelike as possible, and then the shade that best compliments my overall coloring. Months in, I am surprised by how they feel like my own teeth, seamlessly integrated into the oral cavity. I’ve had no problems with food getting in between them and my gums and no problems with talking and eating.
It’s easy to feel that they are indestructible. Dr. Cristi reminds me that veneers aren’t a replacement for proper dental hygiene. “You have to accept that when you get veneers, you will go to teeth cleaning every three to four months to maintain it,” she notes.
While the veneers she has done at Dentacare last for up to 16 to 17 years, still attached to her patients to this day, she warns patients not to be careless with their veneers; like with your real teeth, don’t use them as tools.
Two months in, the confidence boost I get is priceless. During my first appointment, Dr. Cristi would tell me, “Don’t hide your smile.” She noticed how I covered my mouth when I laughed and suppressed my smile when I could. I didn’t think the condition of my teeth affected how I expressed my feelings and thoughts until then. Veneers aren’t for everyone, but when it’s right for you and done right, its benefits go beyond aesthetics, affecting a transformation so profound. Look at me — laughing, smiling with teeth!
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Dentacare has 17 branches in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Contact (0998) 887 8787 for appointments and inquiries.
