I thought I was getting porcelain veneers, but my dentist gave me crowns. My dentist shaved my teeth so much that my top right canine aches and is infected. Now, my dentist says I need a root canal. The dentist called my dental work a veneer placement, but the office billed my insurance for dental crowns. Isn’t this malpractice? Thanks. RL from Richmond, VA
RL,
Porcelain veneers are thin and require minimal tooth preparation
From what you’ve shared, there is a strong possibility of malpractice. A dentist might argue that the term “veneer” allows for some interpretation, but if their website explains veneers clearly and you received crowns instead, the dentist is responsible. Without a clear explanation and your consent, the treatment you received was inappropriate and illegal.
Why Do Some Dentists Avoid Placing Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers require greater skill than crowns, and not every dentist is comfortable performing them. Rather than admit this, some dentists resort to:
- Saying veneers are not appropriate when they are.
- Using misleading phrases such as “360-degree veneers” to make crowns sound like veneers.
- This type of misrepresentation is unfortunately common, though in your case, the dentist did not use that excuse.
How Can Aggressive Crown Preparation Affect Teeth?
Crown preparation is significantly more invasive than veneer preparation. In your situation, it appears the crowns harmed your canines—leading to one extraction and one root canal. Such damage would have been unlikely with conservative preparation for veneers.
What Can You Do If Your Dentist Gave You the Wrong Treatment?
If your dentist gave you the wrong treatment, report the issue to the state dental board. Also, consult a lawyer to evaluate your case and determine whether you have grounds for a claim.
Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.
