If you've looked at red carpet photos in the past few years, you've probably come across an image that's made you wonder, "Wait—did [insert celebrity here] always look like that?" Sometimes, the reason celebrities look so different isn't due to culprits like a facelift, brow lift or blepharoplasty (though it's also very possible). In fact, it isn't plastic surgery at all—oftentimes, it's veneers. Nowadays, it seems like it's not enough to just straighten your smile with braces, Invisalign and/or the retainer you wish you were better about wearing every night. Veneers have become increasingly popular, as those in and outside of Hollywood have traded in their unique smiles for flashy, uniform pearly whites.
Some praise veneers for correcting dental issues and boosting the confidence people may have about their teeth. Due to the price of the procedure, they have certainly become a highly coveted status symbol, with veneers ranging from $800 to $3,000 per tooth, according to Care Credit. However, this isn't without backlash. Others caution against getting an irreversible dental procedure, especially when it's to correct a minor imperfection. A unique smile can be part of individual beauty, and veneers can often look overly fake, giving an "uncanny valley" effect.
Parade spoke with Dr. Ilon Choai to break down everything you need to know before getting veneers. Dr. Choai is a premier cosmetic dentist based in Miami and the founder of the popular TikTok toothpaste brand, NOBS. He shares what you need to know before getting veneers, alternative dental remedies and the #1 mistake he sees people make when they get this dental procedure.
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What Are Veneers?
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"Veneers are ultra-thin restorations, usually made of porcelain, chemically bonded to the front of your teeth," Dr. Choai tells Parade. "All veneers are permanent, and should last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, sometimes longer if cared for properly." With their increase in popularity, however, there are many myths surrounding veneers.
"Unfortunately, the word 'veneer' has become synonymous with any kind of cosmetic work," he shares. As he states, many confuse them with crowns, which, unlike veneers, "cover the tooth's full surface, similar to a helmet."
So, with that common misconception, who are veneers even for?
"Assuming a patient has a stable oral environment, anyone who wants to correct the color, size or shape of their teeth can get veneers. We often run into a snag despite the patient's wishes," Dr. Chaoi explains.
In regard to the "snags" he's referring to, the cosmetic dentist shares that he has turned people down for veneers for various common reasons.
"Before I place veneers on anyone, I look at how they breathe, how they bite, whether they grind at night and whether their gums are stable," he says. "I've turned down veneer cases that looked like obvious candidates on paper because something underneath wasn't right."For instance, a patient with an untreated grinding problem is guaranteed to wind up cracking or debinding the restorations.
"My job is to solve the right problem," he states. "Many times we can solve those root problems and do veneers in a later phase of treatment." When you ignore problems like this, veneers will look unnatural.
"The best veneer cases I do are the ones where nobody can tell you had anything done... That's what happens when the cosmetic work respects the biology underneath it. When it doesn't, your teeth walk into the room before you do," he notes.
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4 Alternatives to Veneers, According to a Dentist
"I'm probably not what you expect from a cosmetic dentist in Miami Beach, because my first move is almost never veneers," Dr. Choai tells Parade. "In fact, I often talk patients out of it despite being highly trained in the procedure. There are almost always more conservative options worth considering first."
Here are alternatives he recommends based on the dental issue:
A tell-tale sign of veneers are those pearly white chompers. But if all you need is a whiter smile, Dr. Choai says veneers might not be what you need.
"If color is the only issue, professional whitening is where I start," he states. "Enamel is biologically valuable. Once it's gone, it's gone. So I protect it whenever I can."
2. Orthodontics
Dr. Choai recommends orthodontics (such as braces, Invisalign, etc.) when alignment is the issue.
"Orthodontics addresses the structure [of the teeth] instead of masking it," he shares. "A well-aligned tooth is more stable long-term and often looks better without any additional work."
If you've ever had a tooth chip or you had a stubborn gap you wanted fixed without braces, you probably know what composite or dental bonding is. As the Cleveland Clinic reported, dental bonding is a cosmetic procedure where a "tooth-colored composite resin material" is put on top of your existing tooth.
"Composite bonding is a useful tool, especially in younger patients," Dr. Choai explains. "You can accomplish a lot aesthetically with minimal reduction, and it preserves options for the future. Keep in mind that the material changes over time. It loses its shine very easily, and can absorb stains, whereas porcelain is very stable over time."
4. Addressing non-cosmetic foundation for damage
"Sometimes, the issue isn't cosmetic at all," Dr. Choai states. "Significant wear, repeated chipping and flattening are often signs of clenching, grinding or restricted airway patterns."
So instead of jumping straight to veneers, he suggests dealing with the root cause of issues, especially if it has nothing to do with cosmetics.
"Address the force first," he says. "Otherwise, you're refinishing a house with a foundation problem."
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According to Dr. Chaoi, the biggest, most common mistake he sees people make with veneers is getting the procedure abroad to try to save money.
"Not to say there is an issue with international dentists. Many are trained and proficient at complex procedures," he clarifies.
The issue comes from falling prey to good marketing or Google SEO from an unskilled provider. Then, you can leave with what Dr. Choai calls "piano keys," or abrasive, overly white, unnatural-looking teeth.
"It gets even stickier because many stateside dentists might refer you back to the original dentist," he says.
7 Things To Know Before Getting Veneers, According to a Cosmetic Dentist
Thanks to the online popularity of veneers, there are a lot of myths. One is that your natural chompers are going to look like shark teeth because of how much the dentist has to shave down to fit veneers on top beforehand. That's not what real veneers should look like (odds are these people are getting crowns, per Smile Culture). That's why Dr. Choai says that minimal enamel—the hardest outer part of your tooth—removal is all you should need.
"Less removal [before the veneer procedure] means more tooth structure is retained, offering more options if you ever need to revise the work down the road," he states.
If there isn't "a clear, clinical reason" for heavy prep work, your dentist is doing you dirty.
2. Your bite will determine how long your veneers last
"Cosmetic restorations placed into a dysfunctional bite are under constant stress. Bite evaluation is the foundation of the whole case," Dr. Choai says.
This means that if you have a massive overbite or are a night grinder, veneers aren't going to last long in your mouth.
Speaking of...
"Veneers are durable, but they're not indestructible," Dr. Choai warns.
If you grind your teeth at night, then protection is an absolute must (such as a night guard). He calls grinding (bruxism) "the equivalent of doing donuts in the parking lot and expecting your tires to last."
4. Gum health is non-negotiable
"Gum health frames the entire smile," Dr. Choai states. "Inflamed or receding gums compromise both the aesthetics and the longevity of the result. I won't start cosmetic work on unstable tissue."
"Chronic mouth breathing alters saliva quality, increases oral inflammation and contributes to enamel breakdown over time," Dr. Choai shares. "This one surprises people. But in my practice, it comes off constantly."
6. Expect to get your veneers redone
Just like teeth, veneers can get chipped or become damaged from other trauma. But even outside of that, they start to look outdated after 20 years of use. This isn't due to the veneers themselves, but because of changes in your mouth.
"As we age, our lips change position, and receding gums can highlight the borders of veneers," the cosmetic dentist tells Parade. "That's not to say that they can't last longer and look good, it's just a possibility to keep in mind."
If you're under 40, know that you'll have to get them redone a few times throughout your life.
7. The most striking transformations aren’t always the most successful
"I've seen cases that looked extraordinary in the first year and looked off by year five," Dr. Choai concludes. "Conservative, biologically respectful design tends to age with you rather than against you. Subtlety, done well, is its own kind of luxury."
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Dr. Ilon Choai is a cosmetic dentist based in Miami and the founder of the popular TikTok toothpaste brand NOBS.Hence then, the article about 7 things to know before you get veneers according to a cosmetic dentist was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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