Veneer Revision Business Booms as Patients Reject ‘Hollywood Smile’

Dr. Richard Lipari, a cosmetic dentist in Chappaqua, New York, said he is seeing more patients who come in with veneers that look “manufactured and lifeless, almost opaque or thick.” Some want a revision long before the veneers’ expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years is up. Dr. Sam Jethwa, a London-based cosmetic dentist, said the problem often stems from a one-size-fits-all manufacturing process. “That process involves manufacture, but it doesn’t involve design,” he said.

The business of revision dentistry is growing as patients become more informed. Many high-end practices now use dental lasers instead of drills to remove old veneers, and they let patients test-drive a temporary set before committing. Dr. Marashi performs an “aesthetic analysis,” comparing the size, shape, length and color of the original veneers to what he thinks would be ideal for each patient’s face. He also selects color based on skin tone, and shows patients a 3D rendering before starting.

Melissa, a 41-year-old in Miami, got 12 veneers after a car accident nearly 14 years ago. “They were so white that they were blinding,” she said. She would never laugh in public and would cover her mouth when talking. In 2022, she paid Dr. Marashi for 18 new veneers – 10 on top and 8 on bottom. She cried when she saw them. “You would never know that these weren’t my teeth,” she said.

Not everyone has the budget for a revision. A full set of veneers can run from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, and they don’t last forever. Many patients, according to the subreddit moderator Mike, were never told about less invasive alternatives such as Invisalign, whitening or composite bonding. “Patients also did not realize that permanent enamel removal could lock them into an irreversible cycle of ongoing maintenance, future replacements, financial strain, and lifelong commitment,” he said.

For those considering veneers, Mike’s advice is to slow down, ask difficult questions, get multiple opinions and learn from people who have already been through it. “Your individual features and imperfections are part of what makes you recognizable and uniquely you,” he said.