Get Porcelain Veneers or Bonding for My Peg Laterals?

I paid $1,500 for dental bonding on my left and right peg laterals, but I would like to know if I should have gotten porcelain veneers instead. The bonding was a waste of money because the shape of the peg laterals is weird, and the color doesn’t match my teeth. My dentist says she could try again, but I don’t have the time or money to waste on her attempts.

Should I see another dentist to remove the bonding and ask for porcelain veneers instead? What are the chances that I can get a refund from my current dentist? At least the $1,500 could go toward the cost of porcelain veneers. Thank you. Borys from IL

 

Borys,

When you pay for cosmetic dentistry, but the results are teeth that look fake and don’t match your surrounding teeth, you deserve a refund. You can request a refund without being confrontational because you paid for cosmetic dentistry to improve your peg laterals, but now they look worse.

Porcelain Veneers or Dental Bonding for Peg Laterals?

Porcelain veneers or dental bonding can reshape peg laterals. However, we encourage you to find a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training rather than request a specific treatment to improve your smile. Asking a dentist to become an artist when they lack the training or artistic talent will result in further disappointment.

Start by scheduling consultations with at least two cosmetic dentists, preferably accredited. After an exam, each dentist will explain your treatment options to reshape your lateral incisors and what to expect.

Dental bonding for peg laterals

Applying composite by hand, a cosmetic dentist can layer dental bonding to adapt the size of your peg laterals while matching your surrounding teeth. Dental bonding is less expensive than porcelain veneers, but it doesn’t last as long. It is also susceptible to stains, but a cosmetic dentist can polish the bonding for you to help it last.

Porcelain veneers for peg laterals

A skilled cosmetic dentist and dental ceramist can create porcelain veneers to reshape your peg laterals and mimic your natural teeth. Porcelain veneers are dental ceramics that are more durable than tooth enamel. Custom porcelain veneers are stain resistant.

A cosmetic dentist will consider these factors before recommending treatment:

• Your goals
• The condition of your teeth
• The extent of the imperfections in your teeth
• The dentist’s experience with porcelain veneers or dental bonding in lateral incisor cases like  yours

Best wishes for a happy resolution with your smile makeover.

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Read about his education and training, and learn what he does to provide some of the best dental care in Baton Rouge.