AOnce reserved for Hollywood stars, the “Hollywood smile” trend has become more popular. Today, dental veneers have become accessible to a wide audience. “This phenomenon began in the 1920s and 1930s with the advent of cinema and the appearance of close-ups of faces. The technique subsequently became widely used in the 1990s and 2000s. explains Youssef Chakir, dentist.
On social networks, diktats die hard. More and more people are under pressure to have their teeth as perfect as possible. “I get a lot of young people in my office who come with a photo of a rapper and tell me they want the same smile… Generally, I refuse,” underlines Youssef Chakir. But the strongest demand, according to the dentist, comes from women. “80% of my patients are women aged 25 and over who wish to have veneers fitted for professional reasons or with a view to marriage.”he continues.
Dental veneers: for whom?
A dental veneer can be defined as a thin ceramic film that sticks to the tooth surface in order to correct its shade, shape or position. In simple composite, hybrid ceramic, or pure ceramic, it constitutes a less invasive prosthetic solution than the crown, for example. “The indications for dental veneers are normally medical. Today, this is often done for purely aesthetic reasons”specifies Dr Alaoui.
“Veneers are indicated for dyschromia, due to water fluoridation, for teeth damaged by composites, micro-teeth (pointed) and people who have a little space between their teeth and who do not do not want to resort to orthodontics. Veneers give a more harmonious shape to the teeth”explains the professional.
Contraindications are relatively rare: “Bruxism can wear down and shorten the incisors significantly”notes Dr Chakir. The installation of veneers is also not recommended in young people under 18 years old because “the growth of the teeth is not yet complete and the space can rearrange itself” warns the dentist.
How is it going?
“During the first meeting, the person explains to me why he doesn’t like his teeth. I examine them, I take photos, x-rays and an optical impression which will allow me to draw the patient’s new smile. explains Dr Youssef Chakir. A 3D smile is prepared in anticipation of the next consultation. “We have a sort of digital library which brings together thousands of photos allowing us to draw teeth according to natural shapes…”specifies the dentist.
To do this, the specialist bases himself on the patient’s wishes and certain aesthetic criteria (alignment, height of the teeth, curvature of the smile, etc.). “When the result seems suitable, I have a 3D smile made”continues the dentist.
-At the second appointment, the tray is filled with resin and placed in the patient’s mouth. “The resin coats the teeth and hardens to form a “mask” which, once the tray is removed, allows you to have a good idea of the potential result”underlines the professional.
The practitioner then takes new impressions of the prepared teeth and then places temporary veneers to protect them and make them presentable while waiting for the final veneers. An intermediate test is often scheduled before this last step.
How is the installation of veneers carried out? “Under general anesthesia, the veneers are glued together because the enamel is slightly cut to make it a little rougher using a preparation made from a kind of acid which makes micro holes in the enamel”explains Dr Alaoui. “The procedure is long and tiring!”remarks the dentist who invites us not to neglect the psychological aspect of this practice which induces “a sudden and significant change”.
Between 4,000 and 8,000 dirhams
After installation, you should schedule a six-monthly appointment with your dentist. “If the indication is correctly placed, the bonding correctly carried out, and the maintenance is regular, the veneers are still present and aesthetic between 10 and 20 years”supports Dr Youssef Chakir. The veneers thus integrate naturally with the rest of the teeth and are well accepted by the gum which returns to its place in a few days. “They do not require any special maintenance apart from impeccable oral hygiene (use of brushes and dental floss, regular scaling, etc.)”, underlines the dentist. Cost of this star smile? “Between 4,000 and 8,000 dirhams per facet”. Today, the majority of professionals work with ceramic veneers, which have a more natural appearance, but are also more expensive than their composite predecessors.
What risks?
Although dental veneers are an aesthetic solution, they are not without certain disadvantages. “Before considering veneers, you should always try to achieve the desired result through minimally invasive methods, such as whitening. This results in a much brighter smile without lasting damage to the tooth. Orthodontic treatment can be useful in cases of tooth malposition or empty spaces”continues the dentist. You should also know that once installed, veneers are difficult to remove because they often require the removal of a thin layer of enamel. “I sometimes receive young people with healthy teeth. There, there is a contraindication”specifies for his part Dr Ahmed Alaoui. The healthcare professional takes the opportunity to warn of the danger of filing healthy teeth, because “during the installation of a veneer, a thin layer of enamel is removed, which leads to a loss of tooth substance. Even if this loss is minimal, the tooth may be more sensitive to heat and cold. Finally, in very rare cases, abrasion can also cause inflammation of the dental nerve.
