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In the era of Instragram smiles and TikTok trends, Gen-Z is reinventing beauty rules - one tooth at a time. The latest fad? Veneers. Previously known as a luxury of celebrities, special porcelain teeth (or veneers) have skyrocketed in popularity and become the best-selling solution to people who are in pursuit of a perfect white smile, especially when captured by a camera (something online living Gen-Z strives for).
As evident nowadays through before-and-after videos that saturate the social media platform and the documentation of the smile makeover sessions by the influencers, the trend is impacting more than shifting teeth appearance: it is changing what youth view as beauty, self-confidence, and self-worth as well?
Howeve, there is a dark side in the world of viral glow-ups: Is it safe to use veneers with young teeth? As per Dr Pragati Pandey, Dentists have a say to help Gen-Z differentiate between facts and trends so that they can make informed decisions regarding their teeth and mouth health.
What are Veneers and Why are they Going Viral Amongst Gen-Z?
Dental veneers are thin and shell-like, consisting of tooth-colored materials that are surface-mounted on the front side of a tooth to enhance the appearance of the teeth. They may be employed as the treatment option to fix cosmetic issues, such as broken, chipped, discoloured, or teeth that are smaller than average ones.
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Dental veneers are fixed over your teeth, usually using porcelain or resin-composite materials, and are bonded permanently.
- Veneers are becoming viral due to social media pandemics: The videos portraying some incredible smiles to be completely transformed into a glamorous one are going viral, and everybody wants to have that ideal, white smile, even a smile on the internet.
- A real-life demonstration of filters: Filters so far in real life are to be found in applications such as Instagram and Snapchat, which can make your teeth appear whiter and straightened. Now, it is such a smile that many Gen-Z users would like to have in their real life and not only in photos.
- Influencer power: Most of the popular influencers and content makers are taking vlogs and posting their experiences, which makes other people think that it is a common or mainstream thing.
- Simpler and less costly: Cosmetic dentistry is now simpler and less expensive. Due to easy payment schemes such as a smile now, pay later, more young individuals have the perception that they can afford it.
Are Veneers Good for Teeth or Is It Just Cosmetic?
Although this veneer trend is generally fueled by aesthetics, some of the factors are medical as well. Most youth are currently getting veneers to enhance their looks, to straighten stained, crooked, or otherwise uneven teeth, and to have that Instagram smile. Nevertheless, veneers in some instances have been applied as dental health measures, i.e. masking of teeth affected by enamel flaws, gross discolouration due to drugs consumed during childhood, or safeguarding of slightly impaired teeth. Dentists tend even back then to start with more conservative solutions first. But broadly, it is just a fashion thing, though there are a few cases when even veneers can assist with dental health as well.
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What are the long-term Benefits of Veneers at a young age?
A young person may find it easy to have veneers as a shortcut to perfecting the smile, but there are many long-term risks.
- First and foremost, the enamel, a thin covering on the tooth (0.3-0.5mm), is removed, and this cannot be reversed.
- After losing enamel, it is not able to regenerate, and as a consequence, there will be more sensitivity to hot, cold or acidic food.
- Wearing Veneers is not a permanent thing either. Generally, they have to be substituted after 10-15 years. This means that given that you start when you are in your early 20s, by the time you die, you might have had several replacements, which in turn amounts to risk and costs.
- Also, veneers are prone to chipping and falling off, and this can be common when you grind your teeth or bite on hard substances.
- Veneers that do not fit properly can also influence your gum health because plaque can gather by the gum line, leading to inflammation or gum decay.
- Lastly, although the initial fee is quite expensive already, the long-term economic investment of having to pay to place and replace veneers and even repair them can cost quite a fortune.
What are the Veneers Alternatives?
Patients ought to look at less risky and reversible options, which do not alter natural tooth structure, prior to undergoing veneers, particularly when they are young. In-office professional and take-home professional whitening using bleaching agents are able to safely whiten natural dental enamel several notches; this procedure does not alter the structure of the teeth.
Another non-invasive Alternative treatment is composite bonding, where a dentist places and moulds dark-colored resin on the surface of the tooth, which is natural in appearance and has limited destruction of the enamel; it normally endures around 5 to 7 years and can be easily fixed.
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An even less invasive alternative is in place: those who want the least invasive form possible can have no-prep or ultra-thin veneers, e.g., Lumineers, which are advertised as necessitating no or very little reduction of enamel, though careful case selection must be done to prevent the pugilistic/bulky look.
Issues of misalignment and crowding could be addressed by means of orthodontic therapy (e.g., clear aligners, e.g. Invisalign) without presenting the use of cosmetic cover, as it yields both functional and esthetic advantages of the mouth.
Advice from a doctor on how to choose
When you consider going ahead to do cosmetic dental surgery based on what you have read on social media, at least take yourself back to reflect. First, take sufficient care of your teeth and gums; do not care about beauty at the expense of your real dental treatment.
Dr Pandey said, “Before diving into any cosmetic procedure, especially at a young age, solid always be accompanied by research. Learn what the treatment entails, whether you require it or not. How long will it last, how much will it cost and most importantly, what could go wrong.”
Talk to a qualified dentist (not just one you saw online), and don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. What you see on Instagram or TikTok might look perfect, but those posts don’t always show the full picture—like pain, side effects, or long-term upkeep. If you’re unsure, ask your dentist for a smile preview or digital mock-up to see what the results might look like before making a big decision.
Most importantly, try to focus on what makes you feel confident, not just what’s trending. Trends come and go, but your natural smile and health should always come first.