A perfect and white smile, without the shadow of a flaw, to be shown off on social media quickly without waiting for any corrections, the often long times of orthodontic treatments which are however less 'spectacular'. This is behind the increase in requests for the application of the so-called 'dental veneers', which cover the tooth and which allow for an “optimal” aesthetic result, with a very high standard, thanks to the technologies and materials we have available. Today”. And the age of those requesting them “is getting much lower, we are even talking about 14-15 years”. A phenomenon that is not without risks, “if the choice is not made with the necessary evaluation by the dentist”, Raoul D'Alessio, a well-known professional from the capital who is also a teacher of the master's course of the Italian Society of Forensic Dentistry (Siof) explains to Adnkronos Salute. ) dedicated to the ethics of the profession. And I am a firm believer in “aesthetics, in dentistry and beyond, which is strongly linked to ethics, in its correct application”.
Social media, “with the need to show one's image so perfect as to border on unreality – continues D'Alessio – are certainly at the origin of this increase in requests, which have grown in the last 5 years by a good 30%. For many they are particularly important, in fact, are the elements of speed of 'smile correction' with this methodology, which thanks to the high technological improvement, can now allow the application of veneers in 2 sessions, with a very high aesthetic standard”.
In general, therefore, specifies the dentist, “they represent an absolutely innovative solution. With the new techniques, using zirconium veneers, in just 0.2 millimeters and with a minimally invasive preparation, which does not damage the enamel, it is possible to have a practically perfect tooth. It is a very useful solution for correcting teeth in case of discolouration, cracks, irregular spaces, malformed or irregular teeth”.
Very 'high-performance' techniques, therefore, also chosen in cases where longer orthodontic treatments may be necessary. “This search for a more immediate result means that sometimes the necessary analyzes and in-depth studies on the health of the mouth are not carried out. The patient is satisfied with aesthetic results alone. And this can have consequences linked to missed functional interventions. In the name of immediacy and perfection (induced by often unrealistic images proposed online) there is a risk of causing involuntary damage, using techniques that are not suited to the case”, adds D'Alessio who is also national coordinator of the provincial presidents of the orthodontics specialty unitary union (Suso).
The veneers can be made of different materials, with different costs, the ceramic ones, now 'dated' compared to the new products, each cost from 600 to over 1,500 euros. “But it can reach over 2 thousand euros each if we are talking about digital, ultra-thin zirconium veneers. Obviously only one element can be used for a discolouration. But the most widespread line is to cover from canine to canine, above and below, therefore 12 teeth”, concludes the expert.