WASHINGTON -- If you have stained or chipped teeth, you might be considering veneers, customized teeth coverings that can restore a photogenic smile without more extensive dental work.But dentists warn that these pricey cosmetic enhancements are at the center of a worrisome online trend: unlicensed practitioners without proper training or supervision offering low-cost veneers.These self-described “veneer techs” often promote themselves on Instagram and TikTok, promising a full set of veneers for less than half of what dentists typically charge.Some also market their own training courses and certifications for people looking to get into the business.It's misleading, health professionals warn — and illegal.
All states require dental work, including veneers, to be performed under the supervision of a licensed dentist.On Thursday, Georgia law enforcement officials arrested Brandon Diller, who promoted himself to 158,000 Instagram followers as “Atlanta's top veneer specialist and trainer." Diller practiced dentistry without a license and sold “training and certificates, which were worthless” and “provided no legitimate or legal credentials,” according to an arrest warrant from Fulton County's District Attorney's office.Here’s what to know about veneers and how to avoid bogus providers and services:Veneers are thin, custom-made dental coverings used to hide minor imperfections or to fill in gaps between teeth.
Unlike crowns or more invasive dental implants, veneers are almost always considered cosmetic dentistry and generally aren’t covered by insurance.Dentists usually charge between $1,000 and $2,000 per tooth for veneers, with higher prices for those made from porcelain compared with lower-grade materials.Placing veneers involves stripping some of the natural enamel from the tooth and bonding the new covering into place.Because of that process, getting veneers is considered an irreversible procedure, according to the American Dental Association.
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