Burke, Fairfax and Fairfax Station, VA

With the rise of social media, we’ve seen the advent of an entirely new class of stars. They come from podcasts, blogs, YouTube, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, and many other platforms. And like the generations of TV and movie stars before them, they are realizing the importance of a beautiful smile to make their dreams come true.

A prettier smile means more likes, more shares, more followers, and, ultimately, more revenue. So, it’s understandable that if someone approaches one of these aspiring stars with an offer of free veneers, they’re likely to take it. But if this is you, it’s important that you understand that there are many reasons to turn down that offer.

The Best Dentists Aren’t Giving Free Veneers

This is one of the most important things to understand about the offer you’re receiving: it’s probably a sign that the dentist offering them is not a quality cosmetic dentist. Quality cosmetic dentists are usually booked with paying customers for their work. With the exception of an occasional charitable procedure, cosmetic dentists get paid for veneers. They often have a waiting list, and they have many previous customers who are out promoting their work through word-of-mouth, as well as through social media.

When a dentist approaches you with an offer of free veneers, the veneers aren’t actually free. The payment comes in the form of what they hope will be your promotion of them and their work. These are generally dentists who don’t have a cosmetic dentistry business, but want to one day. And their results may not look as attractive as an experienced cosmetic dentist.

Of course, this is a generalization. In some cases, a quality dentist might offer you a promotional smile makeover if they’re looking to reach a different market segment than their traditional clients. But, in general, you should be more skeptical of veneers than you are of most promotional items you receive.

You Might Have to Pay to Fix Bad Veneers

Veneers are not like other promotional items you might receive. If you get a bad kitchen appliance, try it, and decide you don’t like it, you can just stop using it and throw it out. But if you get bad veneers, you have to deal with the consequences.

If your veneers look unattractive, your smile looks unattractive. You can’t do anything about that until you can schedule an appointment with another cosmetic dentist to have your veneers fixed.  Which you’ll have to pay for, and, as you’ll find, it’s often more expensive to have them redone than it is to have them done in the first place.

Bad Veneers Can Have Long-Term Consequences

When veneers are done badly, the consequences can be worse than just an unattractive smile.

To place most veneers, it’s necessary to remove a small amount of tooth material first. That’s so the veneers sit flush as the surface of your teeth and don’t look too bulky. Removing just the right amount of tooth material is a skill that can take time to master, and before a dentist does, it’s possible to remove too much, which can make it harder to get veneers to bond properly. Removing too much tooth can also lead to sensitivity. If veneers aren’t properly placed, they can increase your risk of cavities, too.

And improperly placed veneers are more likely to chip.

Talk to Several Dentists before Getting Veneers

If you have been approached by someone offering free veneers, take time to make sure it’s the right choice for you.

• Research the Dentist: Before you agree to a procedure, take the time to research the dentist making the offer. Find out where they trained and when. Look at some of their before and after images. Ask to talk to a previous patient.
• Consider Other Options: Veneers are a great cosmetic procedure, but they’re not always the right solution to your issue. Take some time to research other treatment possibilities so you understand what could be done to improve your smile.
• Schedule Consultations with Cosmetic Dentists: Talk to other cosmetic dentists about your smile before agreeing to free veneers. Be prepared to pay for a consultation–as we said, their time is valuable, and paying for it means you should get their undivided attention. Talk about the offer you received and the treatment plan you were given. These dentists may have a different treatment plan, and may offer you a deal on better veneers.

After you’ve gone through these steps and you think that the offer you were approached with is the right move for you, then go for it!

Looking for a Skilled Cosmetic Dentist in Northern Virginia

Whether you’re a YouTube star with an audience of thousands or a stay-at-home mom with an audience of three, having a beautiful smile is important to feeling good about yourself and having the confidence to be your best every day. We can help if you’re unhappy with your smile.

Please call (703) 323-8200 today for an appointment with Burke, VA cosmetic dentist Dr. Pamela Marzban.