Figure 1. White teeth leave a great first impression
A confident smile has a significant impact on the first impression and people with white teeth usually give the impression of being self-disciplined and good hygiene. Stephen Chang, founder of TAAO (Taiwan Association of Aligner Orthodontists) and Dean of Dr. Rabbit, has noticed a craze for porcelain veneers among celebrities and business executives in recent years as white teeth can improve their professional image. However, Stephen also warns people to use veneers properly because teeth are meant to last a lifetime.
Chose colorfast veneers that are natural in appearance
Many people have pigmentation problems on or around their teeth due to poor care when they grew up or due to their physical constitutions. As a senior speaker at the Invisalign Asia Pacific meeting for five consecutive years, Stephen provides a real-life example. One of his customers who need to speak in public constantly had to cover his mouth when talking to people at a close distance because he was afraid that people would lose trust in him after seeing his teeth.
The customer wanted to improve the appearance of his teeth rapidly with veneers. However, Stephen says using wrong veneers may deteriorate the problem. Composite veneers, which are prone to staining, will look like patches of different colors due to pigmentation over time, thus affecting the appearance of the teeth.
Porcelain veneers do not fade due to food and drinks taken in. Although they are about the same thickness of a fingernail, porcelain veneers are known for exceptional hardness. By avoiding cracking open a peanut or crab shell with the teeth, porcelain veneers will remain white for 20 years. Stephen says porcelain veneers have enabled the customer to smile more confidently, bringing him closer to the audience.
Customize a perfect smile based on personal needs
Applying veneers require professional skills, so do not do it by yourself just for the sake of convenience. According to Stephen, a mold of the patient’s teeth must be created by dental technicians before the doctor can apply the veneer to the patient. He also suggests patients invite their families or partners to join discussions to help create a veneer with the most suitable shape and color.
“People’s preferences for veneers vary with age and work,” says Stephen. Celebrities requesting porcelain veneers tend to choose the whitest color so their teeth look shiny on the screen, while the elderly prefer ivory color for a more natural look.
Before installing veneers, a thin layer of tooth enamel must be removed. The more aligned the teeth are, the less tooth enamel needs to be removed. Therefore, Stephen suggests people with misaligned teeth undergo Invisalign treatment first, because “porcelain veneers are the last mile of dental aesthetics!”
He also notices that customers wearing porcelain veneers will take more care of their teeth and eat or drink more elegantly. “Porcelain laminate veneers are truly a cosmetology without any aftereffects.”
