New Veneers?

For those who do not participate at DentalTown there is a thread that has gotten much steam by the dentists who post there. Its titled "Dentures are the New Veneers".

I did not like the title from day 1 for the following reasons:

1) Veneers are for the most part are an "elective" procedure. People who seek veneers are usually young and have a full compliment of teeth. It is a treatment primarily driven by cosmetics.

2) Removable prosthetics on the other hand is a nessecary treatment. Most patients are older, and because they have "No teeth" are classified as dentally crippled. Need is the primary reason for treatment. The need to eat, the need to smile, the need to feel whole and complete.

I am concerned by the cultivation of the mindset that these forms of treatment are similar in any way, other than both being performed in a dental operatory.
If one reads posts on most clinical dental forums they find that a common thread of mindset runs between clinical practitioners, that being, that by and large ALL patients seeking denture treatment are PIAs (pain in the asses).

My concern is that with the thread being labeled as it is, that it propagates the mindset that somehow denture/removable treatment can be treated as an "in and out" treatment. Anyone who has spent years treating the edentulous knows that the treatment takes much more clinical time to do comprehensively than any clinical procedure.

What I speak of is all about the clinical evaluation time, the addressing of patient concerns, the hand holding that goes along with true treatment of the patient. You would be cranky and crabby too if you couldnt taste your food, chew it well, or smile with confidence.

Lets propagate the mindset that removable prosthetic treatment is a more personalized treatment. Spend more time with the patient evaluating from the start,middle and end. Hold those hands,address the concerns, re-try if patient isnt happy, dont just convince the patient they look great, and shove their ass out the door once you have placed the case.

If you need perspective on what I am saying just google dentures, visit Drs website photo areas and look at the crap thats being placed. You cant convince me that denture patients for the most part arent being treated as a commodity in most practices.

Lets all rally and make a difference!!