According to Dr. Ema, real Snap-On Smiles can be made only by a certified dental lab, with the involvement of a dentist. “However, there are a lot of copycat products on the market, including internet versions that require you to take impressions of your teeth at home and mail them in,” she cautions. Examples of these over-the-counter (OTC) snap-on veneers include Instasmile and a product from Brighter Image Dental Lab. High-quality options are about the same cost as Snap-On Smile, but they may not last as long. Â
“Any OTC snap-on veneer product will have a much lower success rate and lower patient satisfaction than a true Snap-On Smile,” says Dr. Ema. “One reason for this is that the impressions are taken by the patient at home. Taking impressions is a difficult skill to master, and at-home impressions by a nonprofessional may have inaccuracies” that result in a product that’s unlikely to fit as well or look as natural as when done by a dentist.Â
Dr. Ema also points out that “most of these products do not require you to submit a photo of your face, smile, or teeth, and the only design choice you get is the color of the material. It is highly unlikely that the lab can design teeth that look good in your smile without ever seeing your face! You may also have preferences or expectations that they are not equipped to incorporate into your appliance.”
Another thing to keep in mind is that all Snap-On Smiles and veneers “will have some aesthetic limitations because of the nature of the product.” A dentist will be able to discuss them with you, set realistic expectations, and discuss other options. They’ll also be able to work through solutions, if you don’t like your result.Â
The biggest reason to see a dentist before considering any snap-on veneers is to make sure you don’t have undiagnosed dental issues, which could get worse over time.
