7 Things We Learned About Veneers From Dr. Michael Apa
One of the most sought-after dentists in the world sat down with Bazaar at our Be Beautiful seminar to discuss oral health, restorative dentistry and the truth about veneers
What veneers really are…
“Veneers are a dental restoration, there are all these fancy names for like lumineers, emax veneers, they are all the same thing. Porcelain veneers are just like a crown or a filling. A lot of people say to me, I want veneers but I don’t want my teeth drilled. Veneers are permanent, and that’s not what you want, shouldn’t get them.”
Your teeth shouldn’t be symmetrical…
“In cosmetic dentistry what we are trying to do is rebuild you teeth whatever age process you are in to make you look more asymmetrical and more beautiful. Which means, our teeth should never be symmetrical. If you’re doing this procedure correctly you are trying to create a balance in the face and not necessarily in your smile.”
How lip fillers affect your teeth…
“Recently I get a lot of people coming to me saying they can’t see their teeth anymore. I look at them and say, “Let’s back up for a second. Between now and when you came to have your teeth done, what other cosmetic procedures have you had?” They have had filler put into their lips. This filler pushes the lip down and creates a shadow in your mouth, making your teeth less visible. Cosmetic dentistry, cosmetic dermatology and dentistry have to work together.”
The dentist always knows best…
“A lot of people say they only want to do their front four teeth and don’t understand why I want to do 10 or 20 teeth. But you have to make it look right. Whenever we jump into your mouth and use porcelain, what we are trying to do is create zero seams. Whatever we put in your mouth looks like teeth and becomes undetectable to the eye. That’s the mark of true good work.”
Dr. Michael Apa at the Harper’s Bazaar Arabia Be Beautiful seminar
Every veneer is different depending on the person…
“Whenever I meet a patient, I’m scanning. I’m scanning where they are in their aging process, where they are in their cosmetic process, and then I’m figuring out how to make their teeth look better, and make them become a better version of themselves. Personality and ethnicity also come into play here. You have to give them teeth that complement the way they look and the way they are. Different ethnicity have different forms and shapes to their teeth, so although they may come in with an idea of what they want, I have to figure out what is actually right for them.”
The dangers of veneers…
“Back in 2008 there was not much education in Dubai around cosmetic dentistry. There were a lot of companies marketing and selling cheap products to practitioners, which ended up taking the destist and their skill out of the equation. These products eventually created gum problems, bite problems, jaw pain – it was just a mess. This was 10 years ago though!”
What makes a great smile…
“It’s very interesting, teeth are like jewels, they are these very indiscrete things that if you have a great smile you have the power to flash it at right moment. When you smile at someone confidently it shows how confident you are in yourself. Everyone already has a great smile. A smile is an emotion inside of you – when you smile with your eyes and show your teeth, that’s a great smile. It’s not necessarily your teeth it’s your expression. Happy people have great smiles.”