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INSTAsmile/denLABdirect clip on veneers

Be warned!!! Do not trust INSTAsmile/denLABdirect !! You will lose money.

INSTAsmile/denLABdirect are a web based company that sell clip on veneers. They make veneers based on customers taking self-impression mould of their teeth with kit supplied by the company. After taking the mould customers send it back to the company by post for the clip on veneer to be made.

INSTAsmile/denLABdirect have over 90% satisfaction rate on Trustpilot.com. However they achieve this by working with Trustpilot.com. As soon as you put a negative review on Trustpilot.com, INSTAsmile/denLABdirect , challenge it by saying the negative reviewer is not their customer or some other feeble excuse and Trustpilot remove the review from their site.

Trustpilot.com then say they are investigating the review and will frustrate you for many weeks by asking for many things to prove the purchase but they never really get back to you. By that time most people give up hence the negative review never goes up on Trustpilot site.

I ordered an upper teeth veneer for £249 but I could not get the self-impression mould of my teeth right. I attempted eight times but failed to produce a correct self-impression mould of my teeth. Taking the impression of the teeth is VERY TRICKY. I followed the paper and video guidance very carefully.

In the end I gave up but INSTAsmile/denLABdirect charged me £75 for the failed moulds. Quick easy money for INSTAsmile/denLABdirect for £20 worth of kit they sent me. I can’t be the only one unable to produce a self-impression mould. There must be many others out there, but you won’t know about them because INSTAsmile/denLABdirect and Trustpilot.com work together to only show positive reviews on Trustpilot.com.

It is very important to get the self-impression mould correct otherwise your veneer will not be correct. Even if you get the veneer right you may end up with sub-standard product. But you will never know because there are only handful negative reviews at the bottom of the pile on Trustpilot.com

You only see positive reviews of INSTAsmile/denLABdirect. Think about it how can that be possible?

You have been warned!!
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Comments

  • brook2jack
    brook2jack Posts: 4,563 Forumite
    edited 17 October 2016 at 2:59PM
    I would be fascinated to know who the "experts" are who help you to complete an impression , as it is illegal for anyone to take impressions of a persons mouth other than a dentist, a clinical dental technician, dental therapist, hygienist or dental nurse working to a dentists prescription.

    As any of the above will tell you taking a clinically accurate impression is quite an art and takes a long time to perfect the technique .

    I would be interested if any of the "clinics" are registered with the cqc and who inspects them.

    I would also be fascinated as to what you tell customers the lifespan of this product would be , the limitations and the possible contraindications are.

    I would also be interested as to why the GDC numbers of the labs and technicians who are producing the product are not advertised as per GDC regulations.

    If you look hard there are plenty of customers who have not had good experiences https://denlab-direct.!!!!edconsumer.com
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,087 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Nice of you to come on Instasmile!

    What would you say is the main use of your product?

    I would say it's only practical use would be for someone who left it far to late to get something done for a wedding/prom/important event and wanted something to make the photos look good - but with no real hope of doing anything practical in them like eat or talk.

    Even then, I'd probably recommend a patient of mine to ask the photographer to use Photoshop rather than pay for this (rather expensive) option.
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • ukmike
    ukmike Posts: 752 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    If you look hard there are plenty of customers who have not had good experiences https://denlab-direct.!!!!edconsumer.com

    Server not found.
  • brook2jack
    brook2jack Posts: 4,563 Forumite
    Where the dashes are substitute a four letter word for urinate. Money saving edited the link and can't use a tiny link.
  • Toothsmith
    Toothsmith Posts: 10,087 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    ukmike wrote: »
    Server not found.

    Probably because the swear detector put a !!!! in the web address! :rotfl:

    So - guess the word and try that ;)
    How to find a dentist.
    1. Get recommendations from friends/family/neighbours/etc.
    2. Once you have a short-list, VISIT the practices - dont just phone. Go on the pretext of getting a Practice Leaflet.
    3. Assess the helpfulness of the staff and the level of the facilities.
    4. Only book initial appointment when you find a place you are happy with.
  • Actually they don't need to be registered with the GDC to make this type of device. But yes, impressions can only be taken by a registered dental professional or under the prescription of one.
    There are many videos online showing one how to take an impression easily and carefully, it's not really that much of an art, just that some people have difficulty with having an impression taken regardless of whether they're taking it themselves or by having it taken by an experienced dental professional.
    The op could have bought alginate impression material online from an auction site, and saved a considerable sum and practised a bit more to get the job done instead.

    Note: This is not a medical device. It is a novelty item. It does not require regulation because it is a novelty item.
    It is not meant to be a functional appliance and is not sold as such and thus, they do not need do display their technicians registration details nor do they need to conform to the GDC or medical devices directives.

    If the op wanted regulated device then the snap on smile prescribed by a dentist would have been the way to go.
    Just saying.
  • I have ordered through this company with no issues. I placed on order and received my impression kit in a couple of business days. I took the impressions and sent them back where they were inspected and good to go for the product. It took about 20 working days and received a great product. Would recommend this company to anyone.
  • brook2jack
    brook2jack Posts: 4,563 Forumite
    If I was cynical I might wonder why a new poster has resurrected an old thread to praise the product mentioned.

    More recently someone has taken this firm to court http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/dental-firm-gave-joke-shop-12967607
  • Instasmile clip on veneers have changed my life. I have never liked my smile and have always been embarrassed in public. After being sceptical at first I chose instasmile after calling their customer service line and spoke to a member of the team in manchester. I received my impression kit within a couple of days, sent my impressions back and then got an email stating that the lower had passed but the upper had failed (I suspected as much) as I rushed the upper. They are very helpful on the phone and sent me out a free kit to have another go, i knew i would have to pay if i messed up again so I took my time and luckily got it right! I then received my new smile within 3 weeks and i cannot tell you how over the moon I am. There may be some sceptical reviews on here but I love them! thanks instasmile!!!:j
  • brook2jack
    brook2jack Posts: 4,563 Forumite
    Yet another one post only new poster praising this product. A quick search of the Internet reveals many unhappy customers of instasmile and denlab eg https://www.p*ssedconsumer.com/denlab-direct/RT-F.html

    You will have to replace the * with an i for the link to work.

    I am not sure many will realise this is a "novelty product" with a 12 month lifespan not meant for eating with .

    I am also sure that this will massively increase the problems those with decayed teeth/gum disease have and the £199 to £299 these cost would go a long way to making their mouths healthier.
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