A bargain-basement smile makeover in a Pinellas Park strip mall has turned into a courtroom saga for a woman accused of posing as a veneer technician and gluing fake teeth into clients’ mouths with household adhesive.
Authorities say multiple clients reported pain, infections and tooth damage after getting what were billed as veneer implants. Investigators allege the operator used household cyanoacrylate - the stuff commonly sold as Krazy Glue - to stick the veneers in place, a shortcut dentists warn can cause serious injury. Several alleged victims told police they needed emergency dental work for infections and nerve pain, and they say the woman behind the procedure refused refunds or repairs, according to FOX 13.
Investigators say the cut-rate treatments were marketed on social media and carried out inside a strip-mall salon in Pinellas Park, where full-mouth veneer “makeovers” were advertised for far less than a licensed dentist would charge. The case is back in the spotlight because the woman, Emely Merbaly Martinez, is scheduled for a pretrial hearing today in Pinellas County Court in Clearwater, WTSP reports.
Prosecutors and defense attorneys are expected to meet with a judge to go over evidence, any pending motions and the timeline toward a possible trial. The hearing stems from an investigation that began after multiple complaints were filed in 2025.
What She’s Charged With
Local reporting and police statements say Martinez faces charges that include practicing dentistry without a license and a scheme to defraud, along with several misdemeanor warrants, as reported by FOX 13. Court calendars in neighboring Hillsborough County also show a March 12, 2025 arrest tied to similar allegations; the public docket lists Emely Merbaly Martinez and related case details.
Why Dentists Are Alarmed
The American Dental Association has warned that do-it-yourself dentistry and procedures performed by unlicensed operators can lead to serious and sometimes irreversible damage, including infections and nerve injuries. Local dentists who spoke with reporters said glues not designed for mouths can expand, heat up and even burn nerves. The ADA has specifically urged the public to be wary of social media “veneer techs,” according to ADA News.
Today’s pretrial hearing will give both sides a chance to firm up what evidence will be presented and set future court dates, and a judge could lock in a schedule heading toward trial. Anyone who believes they were treated by Martinez or has information for investigators is being urged to contact Pinellas Park police. Court access details and case lookup tools are available through the Pinellas County Clerk.
