Why Going DIY Just Isn’t Worth It
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We all love a good DIY project. From painting a room in the house to fixing the car, it’s so satisfying to take on a challenge and do it yourself. But when it comes to dental care, we don’t recommended to go the DIY route.
Let’s look at this tragic example. A North Texas woman really wanted to improve her smile. Everyone in her life has dentures, but she’s been able to keep her teeth. An achievement she’s seemingly proud of. She just wanted to improve it one little bit, so she opted for veneers. DIY veneers.
She purchased a kit from the store for about $29. It made making veneers look easy. However, she ended up ruining her teeth. Watch the video down below to get the whole story.
Dental veneers are a complicated and expensive procedure that should always be completed by a trained and experienced dental professional. In this blog, we’ll explore why you should avoid DIY dental veneers, the risks of doing it yourself, and why they’re an investment in your smile, not a quick fix.
SECTION 1: DIY dentistry and why it’s not recommended
DIY dentistry has become increasingly popular in recent years with the rise of YouTube tutorials, online resources., and cheap at-home kits, but it’s important to understand why we don’t recommend going this route. The American Dental Association outright advises against the use of DIY dental products: “The ADA discourages the use of direct to consumer dental products, including mouth guards, snoring appliances, teeth whitening trays and bleaching products, partial dentures, veneers and aligners.”
When you want to improve the look of your smile, it can be tempting to go ahead with the do-it-yourself approach when only considering the cost of getting veneers done at the dentist office. Especially when you consider that an at-home kit comes in at about $29 while one veneer can cost $2,000 per tooth. And certain dental labs are taking advantage of that worry about the price alone. “…there are now dental labs that attempt to cut out the dentist altogether and promote the idea that patients can successfully treat themselves ‘in the comfort of their own homes’ with no dental visit. These labs advise the public not to fix their teeth, but instead, cover up the problem.”
We want to remind our patients that the look of your smile is not just about how good it looks. There are many health-related things that contribute to the beauty of your teeth. This can include tooth decay, not brushing or flossing enough, crowded teeth, grinding teeth at night, etc. Veneers can only cover up these problems, not fix them. These are issues that need to be treated before veneers, so that the problems don’t grow worse.
Just as an example, covering up tooth decay doesn’t fix it; it creates a situation where the decay will worse underneath the veneer. It’s like using a bandaid on a broken arm expecting that to fix the broken bones. It’s just not going to do anything.
SECTION 2: Risks of DIY dental veneers
DIY dentistry is dangerous and can have serious consequences. As with any medical procedure, it should be left to professionals with the proper training and expertise. Dental veneers are no exception. Not only is it important for the safety of the patient, but it’s also important for the quality of the results.
DIY dental veneers also come with the risk of permanent damage. If you don’t take the proper precautions, you could end up with uneven or ill-fitting veneers that can cause pain, discomfort, and even permanent damage to your teeth.
Let’s take a look at the example we used in the introduction. When she used the at-home kit, not only did it stick to her teeth so badly, that she needed a dentist to remove it, she also ended up losing two of her teeth and parts of her other front teeth needed to be drilled down significantly. Instead of improving the look of her teeth, the results were much worse than how her smile started.
And even if you don’t damage your teeth in the process, your smile is likely to look ridiculous as in this TikTok video.
Finally, it’s important to understand that DIY dentistry is not a quick fix. It takes time and patience to achieve the smile you want. This can be challenging for those who are used to the quick and easy solutions that come with DIY projects, especially when so many things in our lives offer instant gratification. But it’s important to understand that there is no such thing as a quick fix when it comes to your teeth, because once you lose them, the health of your mouth is never quite the same.
SECTION 3: Why it’s worth the cost to get veneers done professionally
Now that you know why we don’t recommend DIY dental veneers, let’s explore why getting them done by a dentist are worth the cost. Professional dental veneers are a safe, effective, and permanent solution to a variety of dental problems. They can be used to correct crooked teeth, discoloration, gaps, and even chips in the teeth–after treating any underlying issues, like tooth decay.
And getting veneers from a dentist can look more aesthetically pleasing than the DIY alternative. Dentists are trained to recognize and address any potential issues that may arise with your veneers.
Professional dental veneers are also more durable than DIY dental veneers. Dentists use high-quality materials that are designed to last for years. This means that you won’t have to worry about replacing your veneers every few months or years, while there isn’t a guarantee on the quality for at-home kits.
While the upfront cost of getting it done in the office is more expensive than an at-home kit–about $2,000 per tooth vs. $29 per kit–if things go wrong, the cost of repairing the damage done can be even more expensive than just getting the veneers. It’s important to consider the long-term investment versus saving a buck in the moment. Which is more important to you?
If cost of professional dental veneers is a concern for you, we can actually help you here in the office. For patients without insurance, we offer the Smile Club which provides a 10% discount on services.
Or if you’d like to pay for veneers over time, we offer Care Credit which allows you to break up the payments over 6, 12, 18 or 24 months. We can help you apply for this in-office if you’d like help getting it set up.
SECTION 4: Conclusion
When it comes to dental veneers, it’s important to understand why DIY dentistry is not recommended. DIY dental veneers come with numerous risks, including infection, pain, and even permanent damage to your teeth. Not to mention, it’s much more cost-effective to leave it to the professionals. Professional dental veneers are a safe, effective, and permanent solution to a variety of dental problems.
If you’re considering dental veneers, it’s important to consult with your dentist. A professional dentist can help you determine which type of veneers are best for you, as well as how to care for them properly.
Remember, when it comes to dental care, it’s always best to leave it to the professionals. DIY dentistry is dangerous and can have serious consequences. Don’t take the risk – leave it to the experts.
If you have more questions about veneers, give us a call to discuss your options.
Important Links:
- (https://drrandallmcvey.com/veneers-and-crowns) Dr. McVey’s Veneers and Crowns Service
- (https://drrandallmcvey.com/blog/guide-teeth-whitening-beginners/) A Comprehensive Guide to Teeth Whitening for Beginners
- (https://drrandallmcvey.com/blog/5-stages-of-tooth-decay/) 5 Stages of Tooth Decay Too Risky to Ignore
- (https://www.tiktok.com/@saranash5182/video/7087672026193841450?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7203003823721236014) @saranash5182 on TikTok
- (https://youtu.be/eETYeBvtFxQ) DIY Veneers Go Bad for North Texas Woman
- (https://www.cbsnews.com/dfw/news/north-texas-woman-plans-to-pursue-legal-action-after-diy-veneers-went-wrong/) North Texas woman plans to pursue legal action after DIY veneers went wrong on CBS News
- (https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/diy-dentistry) DIY Dentistry: What Your Dentist Thinks by ADA
- (https://www.eastlanddentist.com/6-dental-issues-to-correct-before-porcelain-veneers) 6 Dental Issues to Correct Before Porcelain Veneers by Eastland & Professional Dental Center
- (https://dentalimplants-usa.com/blog/is-do-it-yourself-dentistry-a-good-choice/) Is Do-It-Yourself Dentistry a Good Choice? By Pi Dental Center