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.

 

 

 

Feel Like Hiding Your Smile? 4 Ways Porcelain Veneers Can Help

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Regardless of how it looks, your smile gets noticed. But what if you don’t want anyone to notice your smile? Porcelain veneers can open the door to an unbelievable smile transformation that you’ll never want to hide.

What Are 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 your natural teeth are lightly prepared, or shaved, thin wafers of custom-made porcelain are bonded to the fronts of them.

What Can Veneers Do for Your Smile?

Veneers will improve the appearance of your teeth. Shape, size, color, and alignment can all be enhanced.

1. Alignment and Spacing

If your teeth are misaligned or have gaps between them, porcelain veneers can correct minor issues. You can have a perfectly aligned smile without orthodontic treatment.

2. Color

Time, age, certain medications, and other factors can darken your teeth. When teeth whitening doesn’t help, porcelain veneers can give you a white smile that looks natural. You get to choose the shade. Even the most stubborn stains—like those caused by fluorosis and tetracycline—can be concealed with veneers.

3. Size

If your teeth are uneven or disproportionate, porcelain veneers can help. The thin wafers of porcelain will conceal the imperfections and correct a variety of issues, including:

  • Too small
  • Worn down
  • Peg laterals

4. Shape

The shape of your teeth determines the personality and characteristics of your overall smile. If you want your smile to convey warmth, boldness, or another message, porcelain veneers will achieve it.

What Can You Expect?

After you receive an examination, a cosmetic dentist will ask you to help design your smile. You’ll have input on the size, color, and shape of your teeth. You’ll also see a digital mockup of your smile and be able to try it on. The smile you want is the smile you will receive.

A smile design with porcelain veneers is an investment, but if done correctly it will last. Don’t look for cheap veneers. They often slip, pop off, or become discolored. The best results are achieved by a dentist with advanced training and experience in cosmetic dentistry. Don’t leave your smile design to chance.

We recommend that you schedule consultations with at least to cosmetic dentists—preferably accredited cosmetic dentists. Ask each dentist to show you photos of their own patients’ smile makeovers. After the consultations, you can compare dentists, the options offered, and the results you can expect.

This post is sponsored by Dr. Steven Brooksher of Baton Rouge. Dr. Brooksher is one of ten accredited cosmetic dentists in Louisiana.