When the allure of a perfect smile tempts young influencers to undergo drastic dental procedures, dentists issue a dire warning, urging research and caution to avoid a lifetime of irreversible consequences.
As major influencers like Tana Mongeau, Jeffrey Star, and Gigi Gorgeous flaunt their dazzling smile makeovers, an increasing number of smaller influencers are joining the trend, displaying their filed-down “shark teeth” before getting veneers. However, dentists are warning young people to do thorough research before undergoing such invasive dentistry.
Dr. Emi Mawson, a dentist in Cornwall, England, emphasized to her 27k TikTok followers that filing down teeth is not the standard procedure for veneers, but for crowns, which are not advisable for young individuals. She explained that these are not veneer preparations, but rather crown preparations, and there is a significant difference between the two.
The confusion between these procedures may be causing irreversible damage, potentially leaving people needing dentures by their 40s. Veneers and crowns are often mistakenly used interchangeably by influencers, but they differ in several ways.
Detroit-based dentist Dr. Zainab Mackie stated on TikTok that with veneers, most of the tooth remains intact, with only a small portion shaved off, whereas crowns involve shaving teeth down to small pegs. Veneers typically involve removing half a millimeter from the front of the tooth before applying a custom porcelain or composite resin cover. However, crowns require removing 2 millimeters or more of enamel, as shown in many TikTok teeth-transformation videos and are generally reserved for decaying or broken teeth.
London dentist Dr. Shaadi Manouchehri explained to her 94k TikTok followers that aggressive crown preparation may damage the tooth’s nerve, which is why dentists don’t usually recommend it for healthy teeth. She pointed out that such procedures on young individuals could lead to permanent damage, necessitating future crown replacements, root canals, or even tooth loss.
Veneers and crowns are semi-permanent and typically need replacement every 10 to 15 years. Consumer Guide to Dentistry estimates the cost of veneers to range from $250 to $1,500 per tooth, while crowns can cost between $1,000 and $3,500 per tooth. Dr. Ben Winters, an Arkansas orthodontist, highlighted that the cost could reach $20,000 every decade, not including potential cavities.
Besides the expenses, crowns involve losing valuable enamel that protects teeth. This loss is irreversible, even if one seeks international services to reduce costs. Dr. Mawson cautioned, “Once your teeth are down to stumps, there’s no going back.”
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Sources: AmericaNews, Insider
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