My feed is full of people reviewing veneer techs and videos of veneer techs working on people. So what is a veneer tech, what do they do, and how do you become one? Let's chat about it.
What Is A Veneer?
First off - Let's breakdown what a veneer is. Think of a veneer as a semi-permanent covering of a tooth to either change the shape, color, or both. Veneers are typically minimally invasive and a great way to optimize/change your smile.
Veneers can be made out of a variety of dental materials ranging from composite to porcelain. Veneers can be "no prep" meaning a drill is not used or they can be "prepped" where some of the tooth structure is removed (very little).
Okay, so what even is a veneer tech?
What Is A Veneer Tech?
Simply put, a veneer tech is a con artist. Veneer techs are not real. Just like you wouldn't make an appointment with your real estate agent for your gynecological needs; you shouldn't see your nail tech for your dental needs.
These "tooth technicians" are opening up companies and performing healthcare procedures on people under the assumption they are licensed to do so. This is insane. The audacity...unreal.
So How Are They Getting Away With This?
You know...I think the answer to this is DECEPTION. I am seeing ads by these "veneer techs" where they indicate "no needles" and "no fear". So they are praying on existing fears, selling you a false good, and sadly getting away with it.
I am seeing names like "Atlanta Smiles" or "Teeth by Tania". They have websites that look official and are running ads in their local areas.
Let me be very clear.
The only people qualified to place dental veneers are DENTISTS. So, if you want to become this so called "veneer tech" - you need 4 years of undergrad and 4 years of dental school. It is that simple.
"Okay, but are they really doing harm? I mean I get my nails done by a nail tech and it is just cosmetic too."
"Why can't I get my teeth done by someone trained in purely veneers?"
Well first off, they aren't trained.
Second...read below.
It Is Cosmetic...So Why Does It Matter?
I also keep seeing the above statement in the comments of these veneer tech videos.
A tummy tuck is purely cosmetic too...so why not make an appointment with your car mechanic?
As they now profess to be a Tummy Tech and opened a business: Tummies by Tony.
I kid.
The issue is - these people performing dental procedures without a license. They are not skilled enough to be doing so. Veneers need to be optimized to your bite. Improperly placed and shaped veneers can alter your bite and thus impact your jaw joint.
Along with this, these technicians are not trained in detecting decay. I have seen videos of them placing veneers over decaying teeth. This will cause a whole host of long term problems.
You might be fixing the short term goal - the way your teeth look - but in the long term you may lose all your teeth due to the fact you received a medical procedure from an unlicensed individual.
But Are There Health Concerns?
Dental materials are very expensive. Let's start there. The reason is due to research and development AND the materials we use have been tested for longevity and biocompatibility.
So, receiving veneers from an unlicensed individual may be subjecting your body to toxicity, allergic reactions, or other severe medical conditions.
The reason I bring this up is... who even knows if they are using correct cleaning techniques? Dentists are required to autoclave (high level of sterility) instruments. This is an extremely regulated process. We have to send in spore testing weekly to ensure our systems are working properly.
I highly doubt these technicians are implementing the correct health and safety procedures.
Let's Recap.
- Veneer Techs are not real. They are conartists.
- Dentists are the only licensed individuals qualified to place veneers.
- If you want to become a so called "veneer tech" you need to complete 4 years of undergrad and 4 years of dental school.
- There are potentially serious health concerns associated with receiving dental care from an unlicensed individual.
- If you want veneers - see a dentist.
