How Can I Find a Dentist to Take My Porcelain Veneers Case?

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I’m looking for a dentist to take my porcelain veneers case. I’ve seen two dentists, and both took X-rays. I prefer to narrow my choices instead of getting X-ray after X-ray, only to discover that a dentist might overprepare my teeth. Any tips on finding a dentist, other than a preferred provider in my insurance plan? How can I find someone to do minimal prep on my teeth and give me beautiful veneers? Thanks. Nate from MI

Nate,

Navigating the selection of a new dental professional requires careful consideration. Fortunately, numerous resources are available online to aid you in this important decision. By thoughtfully exploring these resources, you can gather valuable insights to help you identify a dentist who aligns with your needs and preferences.

How to Find a Dentist for Porcelain Veneers

You can find a dentist for porcelain veneers by researching a dentist’s training, credentials, and experience, and reviewing patients’ feedback.

Exploring Online Resources

A well-established cosmetic dentist typically maintains a professional website. We encourage you to explore these sites to review the dentist’s biography, which often details their training, experience, and commitment to ongoing professional development. Look for affiliations or credentials with reputable organizations such as the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, which offer specialized training.

Before-and-after smile makeover from Dr. Steven Brooker of Baton Rouge

A healthy smile makeover from Dr. Brooksher

Furthermore, many dental websites feature a “smile gallery,” showcasing before-and-after photographs of their work, particularly with procedures like porcelain veneers. Examining these galleries can help you assess the dentist’s aesthetic skills and identify cases like yours.

Schedule Consultations

Most cosmetic dental practices offer a no-obligation initial consultation. When scheduling, clearly express your interest in visiting the office, meeting the dentist, and discussing potential treatment options. Many practices provide a brief appointment with the dentist or a team member to understand your smile objectives and provide an overview of their services. This visit lets you gauge your comfort with the practice environment and the dental team.

Review Patient Feedback

Seek online reviews for dentists you are considering. Platforms such as Google My Business, Yelp, and Facebook often host patient testimonials. Additionally, a web search using the dentist’s name followed by the word “reviews” may uncover further sources of valuable feedback.

A dental practice’s website or social media accounts can also provide significant information about its expertise and approach to patient care.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post. Request a consultation with Dr. Brooksher today. Read why so many patients view Dr. Brooksher as one of the best dentists in Baton Rouge.

Will I Need New Porcelain Veneers If Mine Are Turning Dark?

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Will I need new porcelain veneers if mine are turning dark? I got the veneers in 2003. I realize that they are almost 20 years old. I compared pictures from last week with pictures from last year, and the difference is noticeable. Will I need new veneers, or can a dentist polish mine or do something else to make them look better? Thank you. Hanako

 

Hanako,

A skilled cosmetic dentist would need to examine your veneers to determine why they are turning dark, but we will provide some insight.

Do Porcelain Veneers Change Color?

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Porcelain veneer

Porcelain veneers only change color if they are damaged. Veneers are more stain resistant than natural teeth. However, discoloration in teeth behind the veneers can make them look darker.

  • Damaged porcelain veneers Power polishing equipment at a dental office can damage the glaze on porcelain veneers. As the roughened surface of damaged veneers attracts stains, you will notice that your teeth look darker. Also, acidulated fluoride etches the glaze on porcelain veneers and attracts stains.
  • Darkening natural teeth – If your natural teeth darken behind porcelain veneers, the color change can show through. If the seal between a porcelain veneer and tooth is compromised, bacteria can leak in and promote decay that darkens your natural tooth and shows through the veneer.

Will You Need New Porcelain Veneers If Yours Are Darkening?

If your porcelain veneers are turning dark, a skilled cosmetic dentist may be able to approve their appearance or you may need new ones. Schedule a consultation or an exam with an advanced cosmetic dentist to determine why your veneers are darkening. Treatment options may include:

  • Teeth bleaching to lighten your natural teeth
  • Diamond polishing your porcelain veneers to improve their appearance
  • Replacing the veneers your veneers if they are worn or damaged

 

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Dr. Brooksher is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

My Dental Bonding Is Peeling

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My dentist whitened my teeth and later placed bonding on them last February to hide fluorosis stains. The color still wasn’t right after three tries, so I let it go. I figured I would keep the bonding because my dentist said it would last five years. After that, I planned to find another dentist to replace it. But within the past week, the bonding started peeling off like old paint. This is so embarrassing. I called my dentist, who said bonding on fluorosis sometimes doesn’t stick to your teeth. He never mentioned that the bonding might peel before he placed it. Now, I am concerned that I must live with these stains. If my dentist cannot get this right, what are my options? Thank you. Jay

Jay,

We are sorry to hear about your experience with dental bonding from your dentist. Fortunately, you have options for concealing fluorosis stains, but you cannot rely on your dentist for them.

Types of Fluorosis Stains

Fluorosis stains occur from consuming too much fluoride as a child while your teeth are still developing. Tooth stains are white in mild to moderate cases and brown in severe cases. The stains usually affect the tooth enamel only.

How Do You Conceal Fluorosis Stains?

Concealing fluorosis stains in teeth is one of the most challenging aspects of cosmetic dentistry. Depending on the stains and condition of your teeth, an advanced cosmetic dentist may recommend dental bonding or porcelain veneers.

Dental bonding

  • Applying dental bonding to tooth enamel securely requires these steps:
  • Etch the tooth enamel
  • Rinse and dry the enamel
  • Apply a liquid bonding agent to the tooth and use a curing light to cure it
  • Place the composite over the cured bonding

At least your dentist bleached your teeth before applying bonding, even though the color did not stay on. Bleaching teeth first is essential to matching bonding to your natural teeth. Whitening is an effective way to refresh your smile.

Porcelain veneers

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Porcelain veneer

After removing a conservative amount of tooth enamel, a cosmetic dentist will complete these steps:

  • Take impressions of your teeth
  • Provide a wax-up of your veneers
  • Make temporary veneers for you to wear
  • After you approve the temporary veneers, send pictures and instructions to a dental ceramist to make the final product
  • Try the veneers on your teeth to ensure you are delighted with your smile makeover

How Can I Avoid Veneers Teeth Preparation?

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How can I avoid veneers teeth preparation? I don’t want my teeth shaved down. I’ve been checking out dentists’ patients along their veneers journey on IG, and their teeth look scary after prep. I’m so afraid of that experience. Are there other options for teeth covers?  Thanks. Finn from Jersey City

Finn,

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Consult an advanced cosmetic dentist to avoid aggressive teeth preparation for veneers.

Pictures on Instagram of aggressive teeth preparation for porcelain veneers can be alarming.  A 2019 article in the International Journal of Esthetic Dentisty confirms that excessive teeth preparation for veneers exposes the dentin (the layer beneath the enamel), weakening the bond between the porcelain veneers and your teeth. Skilled cosmetic dentists only remove 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm of tooth enamel, leaving 85 to 95 percent of your enamel intact. Removing that small amount is not equivalent to shaving down your teeth.

Can You Avoid Veneers Teeth Preparation?

Not every porcelain veneers case requires teeth preparation, but a cosmetic dentist may recommend minimal preparation for natural-looking results and gum health. Even the thinnest veneers add a little thickness to your teeth, so a skilled cosmetic dentist will determine whether your teeth require preparation. Remember—skilled cosmetic dentists only remove. 0.3mm to 0.5mm of tooth enamel. Your teeth will not resemble the aggressively shaved teeth you may have seen online.

Several factors determine whether you are eligible for no-prep veneers or require minimal preparation.

  • Tooth position – If teeth are crooked, misaligned, or sticking out, a dentist must prepare them. Otherwise, placing veneers over your teeth without preparation can make your teeth look thick or bulky.
  • Improvements you want – Achieving your smile goals may affect multiple teeth. Your cosmetic dentist will ensure your teeth don’t overlap and that your teeth harmonize with your lips and bite. Achieving balance may require teeth preparation.

Are You Eligible for No-Prep Veneers?

Some porcelain veneers cases are suitable for no-prep veneers. If your teeth are even, properly aligned, and small, but you want to enlarge them, a skilled cosmetic dentist may include no-prep veneers as one of your treatment options. However, most porcelain veneers cases require tooth preparation because they are correcting imperfections in teeth.

Request a Porcelain Veneers Consultation

We recommend consulting with a dentist with post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training. Look for an advanced or accredited cosmetic dentist to discuss your treatment options for porcelain veneers, the most effective, healthy, and natural-looking teeth covers. Some patients prefer two consultations with different dentists to compare their options. A cosmetic dentist will determine whether your teeth need minimal preparation to achieve natural-looking results with porcelain veneers.

 

Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher sponsors this post. Learn more about the porcelain veneers process.

Get Porcelain Veneers or Bonding for My Peg Laterals?

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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.

Before and after peg lateral cosmetic dentistry photos from Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher

Peg lateral patient photos from Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

 

 

 

How Can I Get My Small Adult Teeth to Look Larger?

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I am a 37-year-old adult, but my teeth are small and look like baby teeth. I feel like only my gums show when I smile, and the tiny teeth beneath them are almost invisible. It is embarrassing. My friends try to comfort me by saying it’s better than having teeth that are too large, but I need to feel confident and smile more. How can I get my teeth enlarged, at least the ones that show when I smile? – Thank you. Imari from MD

Imari,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Brooksher’s office. Although he would need to examine and x-ray your teeth, we will explain two options for enlarging small adult teeth.

How Can You Make Small Adult Teeth Larger?

You can make small adult teeth larger with the help of a cosmetic dentist. Two treatment options include dental bonding and porcelain veneers. We will compare how the options can transform your smile.

How Do Dental Bonding and Porcelain Veneers Enlarge Small Teeth?

Dental bonding and porcelain veneers enlarge small teeth by using cosmetic dentistry to expand their appearance. The treatment options have different procedures, materials, longevity, and costs. Let us explain.

Dental bonding

Below we explain dental bonding composition, procedure, longevity, maintenance, and the average cost for enlarging small adult teeth.

  • Composition. Dental bonding is a blend of plastic resin and silica filler. Bonding material has properties like tooth dentin (the layer beneath the enamel). A cosmetic dentist can polish bonding to a natural-looking gloss.
  • Procedure. After lightly etching your tooth enamel, a skilled cosmetic dentist blends composite and layers it by hand to achieve your desired tooth shape and size.
  • Longevity. Dental bonding is less durable than porcelain and has a shorter lifespan. High-quality bonding can last five years or longer if you care for it well and maintain it with a cosmetic dentist’s help. A study published in a 2011 Japanese Dental Science Review issue concluded that at least 60 percent of high-quality dental bonding could last up to ten years.
  • Maintenance. Floss between your teeth and use a soft-bristled brush and nonabrasive toothpaste. Dental bonding is not stain resistant, but a cosmetic dentist can polish it for you.
  • Cost. Chairside bonding costs $300 to $1,000 per tooth. The price depends on the condition of your teeth, the extent of work, the dentist’s skills and fees, and your location in the U.S.

Porcelain veneers

Porcelain veneers composition, procedure, longevity, maintenance, and cost differ from dental bonding in several ways, which we will explain.

  • Composition. A dental ceramist can craft porcelain to mimic the color and characteristics of natural teeth while making your small teeth look more prominent. Porcelain veneers contain dental ceramics and are more durable than tooth enamel.
  • Procedure. Your cosmetic dentist may recommend conservatively preparing your teeth for porcelain veneers by moving tiny amounts of enamel from their fronts. After taking impressions of your teeth, your cosmetic dentist will make temporary veneers to determine whether they require adjustments. You will get custom veneers after you approve the temporary ones.
  • Longevity. Well-made and precisely bonded porcelain veneers can last about 20 years. A 2021 European Journal of Dentistry article published findings from a cumulative, long-term study on the lifespan of porcelain veneers in patients with good oral health and oral hygiene habits. The results after five, ten, fifteen, and 20 years are below:
    • Five years: 98%
    • Ten years: 96%
    • Fifteen years: 91%
    • Twenty years: 91%
  • Maintenance. Schedule dental cleanings and exams with a trained cosmetic dentist. You can floss and brush your veneers as your natural teeth but avoid abrasive substances.
  • Cost. One porcelain veneer can cost $1,500 to $3,500 depending on tooth condition, personalization, veneer quality, and your dentist’s fees.

Request a Consultation for Enlarging Small Adult Teeth

Enlarging small adult teeth is a cosmetic dentistry technique that requires artistry and advanced training. We recommend scheduling consultations with at least two highly trained cosmetic dentists to discuss your options.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post. Request a consultation with Dr. Brooksher today.

Before and after pictures of small adult teeth that look larger with dental bonding

Dr. Brooksher used dental bonding to make this patient’s front small adult teeth look larger.

 

Will Online Veneers Hide My Teeth Stains?

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I realize custom porcelain veneers will hide my teeth stains, but the cost is almost overwhelming. If I got veneers from a dentist for the stains in my teeth, it would take years to pay for them. I am unsure if getting a porcelain veneers payment plan is worth it. What about online veneers? I do not want the cheap $25 veneers. I found a few brands online in the $700 – $1,000 range that use impressions of my mouth to make them. I would expect better quality than the cheap veneers that require warming up and force fitting over your teeth. Could the more costly online veneers at least improve my teeth even though I know they won’t look as good as porcelain veneers? – Thanks, Rob from Arlington, TX

Rob,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Brooksher’s office with your questions.

Will Online Veneers Hide Your Teeth Stains?

Online veneers may hide your teeth stains depending on discoloration. If you have realistic expectations about online veneers, you know that they do not look like real teeth. They fit over your natural teeth, so you can expect these results:

  • Online veneers will give you a bulker smile because the plastic teeth must fit over your teeth.
  • Online veneers often lack natural tooth color and translucence. They look pasty. Some companies offer a few choices for tooth shade.
  • If you plan to wear online veneers daily, they will wear quickly, and you will need to replace them frequently. Although online veneers offer payment plans, the product may last several months to a year with daily wear, depending on the quality.
  • You must remove the veneers to eat hard, sticky, chewy, or crunchy foods.

Can You Get a Porcelain Veneers Payment Plan?

Getting a porcelain veneers payment plan is worth it if you want healthy results and a natural-looking smile that will last. Most cosmetic dentists offer payment plans through financing companies, such as CareCredit®. Some dentists have in-office financing options to help you pay for treatment in monthly installments.

  • Porcelain veneers last 15 to 20 years and give you a long-lasting smile makeover.
  • Porcelain mimics natural tooth color, translucence, and gloss.
  • A dentist bonds the veneers to the fronts of your teeth, giving you the freedom to eat, brush, and floss your teeth as normal.

A skilled cosmetic dentist will identify the cause of your teeth stains and determine the best treatment options to conceal the stains.

Cosmetic Bonding for Teeth Stains

Before and after porcelain veneers photos from Baton Rouge cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher

You can expect beautiful, long-lasting results with porcelain veneers, as shown in these pictures from Dr. Brooksher.

Depending on the type and extent of the stains, a dentist may be able to conceal them with cosmetic bonding. Bonding costs less than veneers but only lasts five years or longer if you take care of it. Cosmetic dentists stock high-quality bonding materials that mimic the color and translucence of natural teeth. Your cosmetic dentist will apply bonding by hand while you relax in a dental chair.

What Can You Expect with Online Veneers?

Companies that sell online veneers do not focus on what is best for your oral health. You must use their impression kit to make a mold of your teeth, and they make veneers based on the mold. In contrast, a cosmetic dentist will take the precautions:

  • Examine your teeth and gums
  • Determine the source of the stains in your teeth
  • Explain if you need further medical or dental care to protect your oral health for the long term

We recommend scheduling an appointment with a highly skilled cosmetic dentist to see which treatment is best for your stained teeth. The dentist will also explain options for a porcelain veneers payment plan.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, a Baton Rouge accredited cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

Looking for a cheaper alternative to porcelain veneers

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I am looking for an alternative to porcelain veneers for tetracycline stains on my teeth. I got prices for veneers on 8 upper teeth, the consistent quote I get is about $15,000 – 20,000. That would take a big chunk out of my savings, and I am not sure I want to do that. The stains are horrible, and the older I get, the more self-conscious I am about them. Someone suggested a university dental school. Is that a reasonable option? Any other cosmetic treatment that may work? Thanks. Nathan from

 

Nathan,

Thanks for your inquiry.

If you want to save money on porcelain veneers for tetracycline stains, it is best not to get veneers at all. Premier porcelain veneers are priced to reflect the quality of the veneers you will receive and the work of the cosmetic dentist.

Porcelain Veneers for Tetracycline Stains

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

Porcelain veneers cover the fronts and sides of teeth to conceal tetracycline stains

It is demanding work for a cosmetic dentist to conceal tetracycline stains with porcelain veneers. If a dentist charges less than $1000-$1200 per tooth, you won’t get the results you want. High-quality veneers can last 20 years or longer if you take good care of them.

What About Dental Schools for Veneers?

Three reasons not to get porcelain veneers for tetracycline stains from a dental school:

  1. Dental schools teach techniques for fixing teeth—not the artistry required to produce beautiful results.
  2. If you go to a dental school, your teeth may be in the hands of a student doing their first porcelain veneers or tetracycline case.
  3. And their instructor may not be much help either.

What About Dental Bonding or Teeth Whitening?

Will dental bonding or teeth whitening improve tetracycline stain?

  • Teeth whitening – Only a skilled cosmetic dentist can use a high-strength whitening system to lighten your tetracycline stains. Although the results will not be as good as porcelain veneers, you can get whitening for a fraction of the cost.
  • Dental bonding – Applying dental bonding requires great skill and time from a cosmetic dentist. The necessary precision and application will cost more than porcelain veneers.

When You are Ready for Porcelain Veneers

When you are ready to get porcelain veneers to conceal tetracycline stains, we recommend that you find an accredited cosmetic dentist with accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry. Accreditation requires a cosmetic dentist to pass rigorous exams and present numerous successful cases that demonstrate the quality of their work.

Please do not leave your tetracycline-stained teeth in the hands of an inexperienced dentist.

Best wishes.

Dr. Steven Brooksher, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, sponsors this post.

Can I Get Only One Porcelain Veneer Replaced?

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I received six porcelain veneers in May 2019. My dentist didn’t get the bonding quite right on one veneer, and I had a lot of sensitivity in the tooth. At first, he suggested that I use Sensodyne toothpaste, but it didn’t help much. I mentioned the sensitivity at my next dental cleaning appointment, so my dentist looked at the tooth and said that the veneer is not in its original position and the dentin is exposed. He suggested replacing the veneer (upper left center) and the right-center veneer next to it to ensure the veneers match. I’m disappointed because this dentin exposure business was my dentist’s fault. Why did the porcelain veneer move out of place? He offered to reduce the cost of replacing the two veneers, but I don’t think I should have a fee at all. And why can’t he just replace the one veneer anyway? I’m afraid that if he must remove the veneer on my right front tooth that it might become sensitive, too. Should I insist that he only replace one veneer? Thank you – Zachary from GA

 

Zachary,

You didn’t mention if your general or family dentist provided the veneers. But it seems that you saw a dentist with limited training in cosmetic dentistry who aggressively prepared your teeth.

Is It Possible to Replace One Porcelain Veneer?

Photo of the tip of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneer; from the Baton Rouge office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Steven Brooksher.

A skilled cosmetic dentist can replace a single porcelain veneer

Yes, it is possible to replace a single porcelain veneer. Any dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training can replace one veneer and perfectly match the color with your existing veneers. Dentists who are skilled in aesthetics use dental laboratories that keep color formulas for each patient’s case so they can perfectly match it in the future.

Dentin Exposed with Porcelain Veneers

When a dentist prepares your teeth for porcelain veneers, and the dentin is exposed, they over-prepared your teeth. When tooth preparation is necessary, skilled cosmetic dentists only remove a fraction of a millimeter of tooth enamel for several reasons:

  • Preserve as much tooth structure as possible
  • Provide better bonding—veneers adhere better to tooth enamel than dentin, which is softer.
  • Avoid exposing dentin because dentin tubules lead to the pulp and risk irritation and infection.

Insist on Replacing One Veneer?

If your dentist says he must replace veneers on both central incisors (center front teeth) to achieve a color match, he probably doesn’t know how to do otherwise. You can decide if you trust your dentist to do the work or want a second opinion. If you choose to get a second opinion on your porcelain veneers, look for a dentist with post-graduate training and experience in dental aesthetics.

You probably want to get the issue resolved quickly, so don’t delay—especially because dentin exposure is unhealthy for your teeth.

Steven Brooksher, DDS, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Baton Rouge, LA, sponsors this post.

Get details from a previous post on reasons that porcelain veneers might fall off.

Spent 30k on a smile makeover that looks like a smile mess up

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I received a smile makeover in February 2019. My mouth is small, and my front upper teeth were tilted slightly inward. I also had an overbite and 3 missing back teeth. My dentist put crowns on my front teeth and did mini implants for the back teeth.

Wallace and Gromit

Wallace and Gromit
Donovan says his smile makeover looks like Wallace’s smile

The smile makeover that I was hoping for cost me $30k. I didn’t get a makeover – I got a messed-up smile. My front teeth are too large for my small mouth and face shape. And my overbite is worse, so I try not to smile. I included a picture of Wallace & Gromit so you can see how my smile looks. I’m too embarrassed to send you my smile photos, but it looks like Wallace’s smile. I look goofy when I smile. Although I had problems with my teeth before, I’ve never felt so bad. Some rude people asked me if my dentures are too big. I would never ask anyone something like that about their teeth.

Unfortunately, I made the wrong decision about when to ask my dentist for a smile makeover. Two months after I received it, I had a long-term assignment in Asia. I had to leave my assignment there due to COVID-19, and since then, I haven’t been able to see a dentist. Now I must do something about my teeth. The pandemic is stressful enough. Now I’m on Zoom almost every day for work, and people think I’m in a bad mood because I’m not smiling. But it’s my teeth that are causing the problem. Although I think that I know the answer to this issue, I would like to know my options. Thanks for your advice. Donovan from Mississippi

Donovan,

Thanks for attaching the photo. We weren’t familiar with Wallace & Gromit before you mentioned them. As you hinted, you probably know what must happen to correct your smile; a cosmetic dentist will need to redo it.

Our advice is about ensuring you select a skilled cosmetic dentist.

You’ve learned that a competent family dentist isn’t a skilled cosmetic dentist. An artistic cosmetic dentist has advanced training and experience in aesthetics and has creative talent. Look for a dentist with credentials from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry or the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry.

It can be challenging for a dentist to correct the mishap to your teeth, so if you want an attractive smile makeover this time, don’t compromise on choosing a dentist who can design a smile that functions well and looks fantastic. Schedule consultations with at least two cosmetic dentists before choosing one. Take notes during the consultations to help you make an informed decision.

Can You Get a Refund for a Bad Smile Makeover?

You might be able to get some of your money back for the lousy smile makeover. Work with your new cosmetic dentist to help you do it. If your previous dentist did work that was technically sound but doesn’t look good, it will be challenging to get a refund unless your teeth look awful.

Although you didn’t mention problems with the function of your teeth (e.g., with your bite or pain), if they are present, it will be easier to get some of your money back.

Three options that can help you get a partial refund

Some options that might motivate your previous dentist to refund you at least partially for your botched smile makeover include:

  • Strong leverage – File a malpractice suit if a malpractice attorney agrees you have a case.
  • Moderate leverage – Threaten to complain to the dental board.
  • Weak leverage – Leave a negative online review on the dentist’s Google or social media pages

 

Best wishes on your search for a new dentist and getting your smile and confidence back.

This post is sponsored by Steven Brooksher, DDS, a Baton Rouge dentist and accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.