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.

My dentist placed four gray crowns on my front teeth

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I’ve had composite bonding on four front teeth since 2002. Last September, one of the teeth chipped. My new dentist of 2 years suggested replacing the composite with crowns for all four teeth to prevent them from chipping again. Unfortunately, I did not know much about crowns, so I agreed to the procedure. I have four ceramic crowns that look gray in pictures. My center front teeth and the ones immediately next to them are the teeth with crowns. And the crowns do not match my other teeth. So my smile is gray and white. I have no trust in my dentist. This episode has made me so nervous about trusting any dentist. My anxiety level is high even with teeth cleaning, so the hygienist gives me nitrous oxide first. I hate to think about what is involved in removing my gray crowns. What are my options? – Thank you. Louis from OK

 

Louis,

We are sorry to hear about your horrible experience with crowns. Although your dentist offered aggressive treatment to correct dental bonding, your only option now is to find a dentist to replace your four crowns.

Replacing New Gray Dental Crowns

If a dentist gives you new dental crowns that are the wrong color, only new crowns will correct the issue. Dental ceramic is colorfast, and the color will not change. But look for an experienced cosmetic dentist to replace your crowns. A dentist who is concerned about aesthetics—the appearance of your smile—will not bond crowns to your teeth unless they fit well and match your natural teeth.

What to expect from your new cosmetic dentist

  • Discussion about your crown color – A cosmetic dentist will ensure you like the color of your natural teeth. If you want whiter teeth, the dentist will recommend teeth whitening first. And then, a lab will make your new crowns to match your brighter smile.
  • Temporary crowns – You will wear temporary crowns to ensure they look good and feel comfortable. But your final crowns will look even better.
  • Try on your new crowns – Your cosmetic dentist should use a clear paste to put your crowns on your teeth so you can see the color, shape, and how they feel. A skilled dentist will do this before bonding or cementing crowns to your teeth.

 

Request a Consultation

A closed eye - for information on sedation dentisry in Baton Rouge

Speak with your dentist about sedation options

Find a few accredited cosmetic dentists in your area. Look at their website smile gallery for cases like yours. And schedule a consultation with a cosmetic dentist to discuss your options. Also, speak with the dentist about your anxiety and discuss which form of sedation you may need while the dentist completes your crowns.

 

Steven Brooksher, DDS of Baton Rouge, sponsors this post.

A well-known dentist messed up her smile

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In 2014, I received a crown for my right center front tooth. My dentist got the color and the size of the crown wrong. A friend told me about a well-known dentist who replaced my crown in June 2019, but the crown looked gray. He did a second crown, and the color was better, but the tooth was noticeably too long. The second dentist told me that I needed Invisalign, which he provided. My treatment is complete. Now I have a gap between my front teeth. But I also have anxiety now, which has never been an issue. In August, I scheduled an appointment for a third opinion and planned to get an exam, but I was so anxious that the dentist told me to reschedule the appointment when I have time for sedation.

Last month I had two consultations with two more dentists. When I mentioned the second dentist’s name, who left the gap between my teeth, they were skeptical about my report of what happened. I am beginning to think that I need to leave town to find another dentist to correct my smile. Am I too picky? Thanks. Daina from MS

Daina,

We’re sorry that you’ve had two negative experiences and that they led to dental anxiety. Although your second dentist is well-known, it doesn’t mean that he’s a talented, artistic cosmetic dentist who produces beautiful results.

Although most dental schools, the American Dental Association, and many reputable dentists have a negative view of cosmetic dentists, there is an art to producing beautiful smiles. Read the Wikipedia article about cosmetic dentistry. It’s written by someone with an academic mindset who has a condescending attitude about cosmetic dentistry.

We’ve seen many stories like yours. A patient doesn’t like the dentist’s work because their teeth are too white and look fake, but the dentist insists everything is fine. The dentist devalues the patient’s opinion of their smile.

But great cosmetic dentists are sensitive to the patient’s smile and self-perception. If a patient has reservations about their smile, the cosmetic dentist considers the case a failure. And the dentist will redo it.

Photo of woman sitting back in a dental chair with her eyes closed; for information on Baton Rouge sedation dentistry during tooth extraction.

Sedation dentists are empathetic toward patients with dental anxiety

A well-known dentist with an excellent reputation might have great mechanical techniques but be unfit for appearance-related dentistry. Real cosmetic dentists often aren’t the most valued and prominent dentists in the community.

You’re not too picky. Your smile affects your confidence. So, find a cosmetic dentist who respects that. Look for a dentist who is a member of and has credentials from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. You’ll find a dentist who is an artist, who will accommodate your dental anxiety with sedation options, and who will regain your trust. And a true cosmetic dentist will give you your ideal smile.

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

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.