Don’t fall for fake dentists offering veneers and other dental work on social media

WASHINGTON — If you have stained or chipped teeth, you may want to consider veneers, custom dental covers that can restore a photogenic smile without more extensive dental work.

But dentists warn that these expensive cosmetic enhancements are at the center of a troubling trend online: unlicensed doctors without proper training or supervision offering low-cost veneers.

These self-described “veneer technicians” 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 training courses and certifications to people looking to enter the business.

It’s misleading, health professionals warn – and illegal. All states require that dental work, including veneers, be performed under the supervision of a licensed dentist.

On Thursday, Georgia law enforcement officials arrested Brandon Diller, who promoted himself to his 158,000 Instagram followers as “Atlanta’s best veneer specialist and trainer.” Diller practiced dentistry without a license and sold “training and certifications that were worthless” and “did not provide legitimate or legal credentials,” according to an arrest warrant from the Fulton County District Attorney’s office.

Here’s what you need to know about fakes and how to avoid fake providers and services:

What are dental veneers?

Veneers are thin, custom-made dental coverings used to hide minor defects or fill gaps between teeth. Unlike crowns or more invasive dental implants, veneers are almost always considered cosmetic dentistry and are generally not covered by insurance.

Dentists typically charge between $1,000 and $2,000 per tooth for veneers, with higher prices for those made of porcelain compared to lower-quality materials.

Placing veneers involves removing some of the natural enamel from the tooth and bonding the new covering in place. Because of this process, getting veneers is considered an irreversible procedure, according to the American Dental Association. They are not permanent and can be expected to last anywhere from 5 to 15 years before they degrade and need to be replaced.

In recent months the ADA has added warnings about the dangers of veneer procedures performed by unlicensed individuals.

“Quality control is lost without the involvement of a licensed dentist,” said Dr. Ada Cooper, a New York-based dentist and spokeswoman for the ADA. “We go through years of education and training and have to be licensed by various regulatory bodies before we can practice.”

What are the risks of getting veneers from someone who is not licensed?

Improper veneer procedures can cause a variety of health problems, including severe pain, nerve damage and tooth loss.

Patients must be anesthetized before the enamel is removed from their teeth.

“It can be very painful if they are not properly anesthetized,” said Dr. Zach Truman, who runs an orthodontic practice in Las Vegas. “You can also go very deep into the tooth and penetrate what’s called the pulp chamber, which contains blood vessels and nerves.”

One of the biggest problems Truman sees with unregulated veneer work is that clients aren’t being screened for existing dental problems, such as gum disease and cavities.

“If you put a veneer on a tooth that has an active cavity, you’re just going to seal it off and eventually it will progress to tooth loss,” Truman said.

Dental veneers are not the only option to improve the appearance of teeth. Over-the-counter whitening kits can help with minor spots and discoloration. And dentists can sometimes use composite materials to reshape chipped or uneven teeth. But Truman says those fillings are prone to cracking and won’t last as long as veneers.

How can I spot fake veneer providers online?

A clue: Many individuals who perform unlicensed dental work promote themselves on social media as “veneer technicians.”

Instead of working out of the dental office, they often perform treatments in beauty salons, hotel rooms, or private homes. Some advertise multi-city tours and encourage customers to text them to book an appointment in advance.

Much of the appeal of the services is in their prices, with some offering a full series of veneers for a flat fee of $4,000 or $5,000. That’s less than half of what patients can generally expect to pay at a dental office.

Performing dental work without the proper license is illegal, the ADA states.

Dentists and hygienists are licensed by state governments, which also determine the work that dental assistants can perform. But in all cases, veneers and other dental procedures must be supervised by a licensed dentist.

Earlier this year, law enforcement officials in Illinois arrested a woman who ran a business called Veneer Experts after she posted videos of herself fitting braces, veneers and other dental products without a license. She had previously been arrested in Nevada on similar charges of practicing dentistry without a license.

What are the best ways to find legitimate dental providers?

The ADA maintains a website detailing the training and licensing requirements for dentists across the US. Most states also maintain websites where you can search and verify licensure information and find any past disciplinary actions for dentists and other health professionals.

“It’s really critical to understand that dentistry is a regulated health care profession that requires formal education and licensure,” Cooper said.