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?

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.