how to find a cosmetic dentist Archives

Cosmetic dentist’s dental bonding is yellow.

September 14, 2021 by Brian Sartin

My daughter is in the thick of her teen years. She hated the discoloration on her front teeth. So we met with a dentist that was recommending a cosmetic solution for her two front teeth. The price wasn’t exorbitant, so we did it. Well, the dentists did tooth bonding and now they are yellow. Yes, two yellow front teeth. Ugly and embarrassing to any teen. I honestly think they look worse now than before. When I went in to complain, the dentist shaved off the bonding work and reapplied more. And it’s still yellow. It’s coming off too in some places. I think it looks terrible. Is there anything I can do? I’m having a hard time trusting this dentist to go back in? I’m not sure she knows what she is doing? Is that normal to remove it and reapply? Do you think I have a case to go to another dentist and ask reimbursement from the first?

– Betty in Kansas

Betty,

Thank you for sharing your daughter’s story. It sounds like it may be time to go see another dentist. And you definitely have a case in requesting that the original dentist cover the cost for the new work. But there is no legal recourse really that the original dentist must adhere to. In most cases, some firm persuasion does the trick. Most dentists will want to keep their reputation in tact by making it right. And worse case scenario you can mention that you are meeting with a lawyer. Good luck in how you approach her. Try to keep it cordial and not threatening in nature.

Dental bonding that isn’t done by an experienced cosmetic dentist can be mediocre at best. Unfortunately, it sounds like you had to learn the hard way. This work truly takes an artistic eye for creating beauty. Not just any dentist can do this kind of work. But how would you know? Fundamentally, general dentists are trained to fix things. They are solving some sort of functional problem. Whereas, an excellent cosmetic dentist is passionate about creating beautiful, natural-looking solutions with an emphasis on esthetics. In order to be an expert cosmetic dentist, extensive advanced training is required. Some general dentists dabble in cosmetic dentistry but don’t go to great lengths to hone their skill. And since cosmetic dentistry isn’t a regulated field within dentistry, it makes it very difficult for an average patient to know the difference. Only 1-2% of dentists really do beautiful cosmetic dentistry. So moving forward, check the dentist’s credentials and ask to see their portfolio of work for cases similar to your daughter.

Porcelain veneers may be a good solution for your daughter. But do not let the original dentist do the veneers. It doesn’t sound like this dentist has the ability or heart to give you a beautiful result. Or since your daughter is young, direct dental bonding by another cosmetic dentist may turn out much better. If you find the right dentist with the right credentials, yield to their recommendation.

Is it normal for porcelain veneers to come off every couple months?

September 7, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am wondering if I made a big mistake. I just had four porcelain veneers done on top and four on the bottom. As I was getting ready to leave, the dentist mentioned in passing that in a couple months they may come off. He didn’t act like it was any big deal and he said it happens every few months. He suggested avoiding crunchy foods and apples to help them last longer. What?! This would have been good to know BEFORE getting the porcelain veneers done.

-Shannon in Indiana

Shannon,

No! Porcelain veneers should not come off every few months. If they are done correctly, porcelain veneers should last for over 10 years or more. So, here’s the deal. If they do indeed come off, you need to demand a refund. This kind of thinking is simply not okay.

All dentists adhere to a certain “standard of care” to their patients. Even though cosmetic dentistry is different because it is more aesthetically driven, having porcelain veneers that fall off after a short time does not meet this standard. Sadly, the standard of care for cosmetic dentistry doesn’t compare to general dentistry. For example, if the veneers look bad, it could be perceived one way to you and another to a different patient. That is a somewhat gray area. But, they should absolutely stay on. And if they don’t you may have grounds to pursue legal recourse.

Also, you mention to avoid certain foods with your new porcelain veneers. Aside from opening a beer bottle with your teeth or other common sense practices, you should be able to eat any kind of food you’d like. You shouldn’t have to avoid crunchy foods!

In fact, you should try an apple. If the veneers pop off now, it may be better to know right off the bat. Because if porcelain veneers have been bonded properly, you will have no issue with the foods you eat.

Other than wearing mouth protection in contact sports and avoiding eating metal or rocks, you should not have to worry about the functionality of your porcelain veneers. Or if you tend to grind your teeth at night, it may be good to pursue a nightguard to protect them from the sustained stress of grinding.

Thank you for sharing your story. Hopefully, it helps someone else out. Unfortunately, you may not have seen an experienced cosmetic dentist for your work. Keep an eye on them. I’m curious to hear how this turns out. Please keep us updated.

My porcelain veneers horror story. What do I do?

August 28, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I am living my very own porcelain veneers nightmare. A couple days ago I had two porcelain veneers placed on my two front teeth. The main reason for the cosmetic dentistry in the first place was because I had a chip in my tooth. It had dental bonding on it that eventually came off. When I went into the dentist, I was originally thinking that I’d get the dental bonding redone. But the dentist basically said it wasn’t an option. Then he proceeded to tell me I would need a crown, since the 1/5 of the tooth was chipped. I felt like that was pretty invasive and told them I preferred porcelain veneers.

So, when I went back in for the final fitting, I decided I wanted the tooth to be a little whiter than my natural tooth because I was hoping to get teeth whitening on the others done later. I liked the way it looked during that appointment and so he had me sign a consent form. After it was cemented on, I didn’t have the chance to see it again until I got int he car.

They told me it looked great but I didn’t see it until I got to my car. I was instantly in tears when I saw it. It was more than a millimeter out of position and now it looks like it protrudes. It’s almost like the hygienist put too much cement on it and it kind of sticks out further than the others. It feels so funny on the backside, like there is a gap between the bottom edge of the tooth and the veneer. Biting just doesn’t feel right either.

When I called in to explain my issues, they told me that the gap on the back may be able to remedied but I was stuck with the length. She said it’s possible that the tooth moved. Are you kidding? I noticed the protrusion and length problem in their parking lot. It didn’t move in three minutes.

I don’t know what to do? I don’t feel like they want to help me or make it right. And I’m embarrassed to go see another dentist. Do you have any advice?

-Sherry in Florida

Sherry,

Sadly, your porcelain veneers horror story is not uncommon. It’s difficult to give you exact recommendations without seeing your case in person and my response is largely based on some general assumptions from other similar mishaps. But here is what it sounds like based on what you have shared.

Cosmetic dentistry is not a separate specialty area within dentistry. This means that any dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist without any extra training. Cosmetic dentistry is like an art. It takes a passion for aesthetics and a thorough understanding of dental bonding materials and techniques used to create natural-looking, beautiful work. A dentist without this mindset, skill set or understanding comes from a functional mindset. They are more focused on fixing a problem versus creating beauty.

From what you have explained, your dentist doesn’t sound like an expert cosmetic dentist. First, there is no reason that dental bonding should have been off the table. If the chip is as you explained, dental bonding would have been an ideal choice for an experienced cosmetic dentist. It is quite possible that your dentist doesn’t have that experience. He may be used to doing porcelain crowns and therefore recommended what he is better at, not what was best for your specific needs.

It also needs to be said that your instincts were correct. A porcelain crown in this situation is not necessary and it is an invasive treatment. In hindsight, you never want to ask a dentist to do a treatment (like porcelain veneers) that they aren’t comfortable with or that they didn’t recommend.

You also mentioned that you selected the shading based on the fact that you were interested in teeth whitening down the road. An expert cosmetic dentist wouldn’t have had you picking the color or shading. They would have insisted that you have the bleaching done first and then after the color stabilized, the porcelain veneers could have been matched perfectly to your surrounding teeth. This is just another indicator that cosmetic dentistry may be out of your dentist’s comfort zone.

It’s good that you had a look at the veneer prior to it being permanently cemented in place. But it is very strange that you weren’t aloud to see it after it was bonded. Most cosmetic dentists would be so excited for you to see the final product. They live for your positive reaction because they would want you to love the work. It’s frustrating that you didn’t see it until you were in the car.

Regarding the positioning of the restoration, it sounds like the veneer wasn’t seated correctly. Properly placing a veneer is an entirely different process than it is with a crown. This isn’t the end of the world, but it isn’t right or fair to you. Patients trust their dentist, which is the key to a successful patient-doctor relationship. It doesn’t sound like this dentist had the proper technique or experience, but did the porcelain veneers anyway.

When you called back in and they told you that the length and positioning cannot be addressed, that is not correct. A porcelain veneer can be trimmed and honestly if it isn’t right – it should be redone. Your tooth didn’t move from the time you walked to your car and it is absurd that this is the response you were given.

The porcelain veneer sounds like it needs to be fixed and completely redone. At this point, based on what you have shared, you probably don’t want this dentist to do it. That said, you have every right to request a refund. The dentist has to realize that he messed up and should be embarrassed. You can state that you are going to a new dentist to have it fixed. If they give you any grief, the new cosmetic dentist may be able to help you out by confirming the mistake. Document everything and take photos. If it doesn’t go well, you have every right to file a complaint with the dental board. Hopefully it doesn’t’ get to that point though.

On behalf of cosmetic dentists that truly care about creating beauty, please accept our apology. I’m sorry you have to go through this.

Will Lumineers give me horse teeth?

August 23, 2021 by Brian Sartin

Every time I think I’m ready to move forward with Lumineers, I see someone that looks like they have horse teeth. But I’ve had it with my ugly, discolored teeth. One of my front teeth even has a crack in it. I feel like every conversation I have, someone is staring at my teeth. So I know I need to do something, I just don’t want to end up with a smile looking worse off than before I started. I can tell when people get dental work done and I can’t afford to blow it. How do I know my Lumineers will be natural-looking and not look like Mr. Ed?

– Sandra in West Virginia

Sandra,

You are smart to do your research before moving forward with any cosmetic dentistry treatment. You care also correct, in that there are far too many botched smile makeovers and many are from Lumineers.

What you may not realize is that Lumineers are just a particular brand of porcelain veneers. They are ultra-thin and do not require any tooth preparation. But many patients feel that the result is unnatural and bulky. Many skilled cosmetic dentists don’t like Lumineers either because the brand comes with the requirement that they be done in the manufacturer’s lab.

Instead of setting your mind on a particular treatment option, you will be much better served to research the best cosmetic dentist in your geographic area. Not just any dentist does beautiful porcelain veneers. This makes it difficult as a patient because you typically will trust that a dentist knows what he or she is doing. But to do beautiful cosmetic dentistry requires extensive advanced training beyond dental school. There are highly sophisticated bonding techniques and technologies that need to be mastered.

Traditional porcelain veneers do require a very tiny portion of your tooth to be shaved down. This intimates some people but this step is imperative in getting a seamless transition between the veneer and the tooth.

A great cosmetic dentist wants you to fall in love with your smile and not walk away with any regrets. Many excellent cosmetic dentists will even offer a beautiful smile guarantee. This enables you to see exactly what your new veneers will look like before they are permanently bonded into place. Ask to see examples of their work and of cases similar to yours. And of course, check out their credentials.

Are there any other options to fix the gap in my teeth?

August 22, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have been living with this annoying gap in my teeth my whole life. No that I’m an adult, I’d like to have it fixed. When the dentist told me I needed braces, my heart sank. A 40 year old woman with braces just isn’t what I had in mind. Do I have any other options? I keep envisioning my little brother taunting me and calling me brace face and metal mouth. Please tell me there is hope.

– Sandra in California

Well, there is good news. You don’t necessarily need have a mouth full of metal. There are other options. The next step would be to set up a consultation with an excellent cosmetic dentist. This type of dentist cares about the aesthetics just as much as the function of your smile. A cosmetic dentist is passionate about creating beauty.

Although, it is important to note that each case is different. So, it all depends on how severe the gap in your front teeth is and how they are positioned.

Assuming it isn’t too bad, here are some other options you may be a candidate for:

Porcelain veneers are a viable option if the gap is relatively small. It will give the illusion of straight teeth, without having to endure the inconvenience of orthodontics. This cosmetic dentistry treatment requires a high sill level to deliver beautiful, natural-looking results. So be sure you research the cosmetic dentist’s credentials and ask to see cases similar to yours. Porcelain veneers require a tiny portion of the natural tooth to be removed to allow for a seamless fit.
Dental bonding is another option. This treatment involves bonding composite directly to the tooth. It will require that the tooth bonding be redone regularly to keep it looking beautiful. Although, it may not be the best fit if the gap is quite large. Yet, it is worth a discussion with your cosmetic dentist.
Invisalign is another alternative to traditional braces. It uses sophisticated computer technology to create clear plastic aligners that gradually re-position teeth to the correct positions. Patients love Invisalign.

Hopefully this gives you some hope that you do have options beyond metal braces. Just be sure to select a cosmetic dentist with extensive training and credentials and that you feel you can trust.

Thank you for your question.

I can’t afford porcelain veneers to cover tetracycline stains.

August 19, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have tetracycline stains from medication given to me as a baby. I was told porcelain veneers are the best treatment for this condition. But I simply cannot afford it. I had a dentist put dental bonding on my teeth but they are chipping already. Do you know if Zoom whitening is an option? I’m so sick of hating my smile.

-Jen in California

Jen,

Tetracycline stains are permanent. For most patients they appear as very dark brown or gray stains. The discoloration occurs in the dentin of the teeth.

As you’ve mentioned, porcelain veneers are one of the ways they can be treated. But the work must be done by an expert cosmetic dentist that is experienced in specifically treating tetracycline stains. Your general family dentist will likely not know how to how to successfully treat them.

But, it sounds like porcelain veneers aren’t an option for you at this time. So, here are a couple more affordable ideas to help improve the appearance of your smile. These treatments won’t be as effective as porcelain veneers. But, they will help.

First, the old dental bonding material needs to be removed, if your enamel is still in tact. It is possible that a hygienist could remove it for you, using sandpaper disks. Having a hygienist do the work instead of a dentist would be less expensive. Then, you should have the dentist get you started on a home teeth whitening treatment. You will want to request the strongest formulation that you can tolerate without experiencing discomfort and sensitivity. You’ll want to keep this up nightly over the course of two months. I know you’re trying to find an affordable way to whiten your teeth, but fight the temptation to use over-the-counter whitening products. They simply aren’t strong enough for tetracycline stains.

Also, you may be interested in Zoom whitening or laser tooth whitening from your dentist. Although your dentist may tell you it is much stronger than at home whitening, it will require multiple rounds of whitening in the office. And with Zoom whitening, you will end up racking up the costs very quickly. With take home trays you will end up with similar results over the course of a couple months, rather than having the expense of multiple rounds of Zoom.

The down side of your situation is if the original dentist removed enamel on the teeth before the dental bonding was placed. If that is the case, you really need to save up and have a cosmetic dentist do porcelain veneers. In the long run, it will deliver the best results and you will be happiest over the longrun. In the interim, you could have the dental bonding smoothed out. Having the dental bonding redone every couple years will end up adding up and you’ll be better off saving your money for veneers.

Good luck! Thank you for reaching out. Hopefully this gives you some options.

Do CEREC Crowns Fall Off Because They’re Cheap?

August 17, 2021 by Brian Sartin

My dentist recommended me that I should get crowns on a few of my teeth. I did some googling and thought CEREC crowns are the best choice for me. However, I did have a few questions about it. I never have had crowns before, and I remember a lot of my friends were complaining how their crowns keep falling off and how they have to go and get it installed, sometimes even having to pay a hefty bill. Are CEREC crowns less prone to falling off than regular crowns? Also, one of my friends was constantly talking how he can’t eat certain foods because he’s scared that they will fall off again. Will that happen to me if I use CEREC? I assume I’m going to be wearing them for a long time and don’t want to be restricted from certain foods because of it. This certainly can all be just because my friend, who complained the most about crowns, was having a really cheap dentist and wasn’t spending a lot of money on his teeth. I am willing to pay the price so that my teeth look pretty while wearing the crowns, meaning I don’t want them to be seen, and that I basically don’t even know about them while wearing them. I am in a particular line of business where smile and looks are very important and, as I said, the price is not the problem. However, if you think something else is better for me, I’m willing to listen to your suggestion?

Thank you,

Patrice in Arizona

Dear Patrice,

CEREC crowns, when done by an expert cosmetic dentist, can be an excellent choice. Many people love the convenience of CEREC, because they can be done in only one appointment. This also means that you do not need a temporary crown while the permanent crown is being fabricated. CEREC technology enables the dentist to prepare, fit and place the crown all in one day. They are very popular for busy professionals or anyone that doesn’t want to be inconvenienced by a temporary crown that may be at risk for falling off.

To go into more details about the mechanics of a crown, there are several factors in whether a crown stays on or not. Whether the dentist shapes them right or not is the primary concern. When one has the proper shape, it can literally stay in place based on suction alone, though this wouldn’t be enough to withstand “extreme” pressures, like eating a caramel apple. In that case, the caramel would adhere to the restoration and would pull it off regardless. It really doesn’t matter what dental material it’s made of. The science behind it and the hold would be the same. Obviously, restorations aren’t just left in the mouth. They are permanently cemented, which adds another layer of protection and seals the edges. This can sometimes be problematic, though. If, for instance, the dentist doesn’t do a good job of mixing the cement or doesn’t dry the tooth all the way, the dental bonding is not going to be strong. Using cheap, old, or poorly-kept cement will weaken the bond as well. These issues are universal for all types of crowns, no matter what brand they are or what material they’re made of. To be clear, this is talking about new porcelain crowns. In other words, the dentist is the problem if your friend is losing new restorations.

If they’re older, it’s probably due to “natural” causes. They won’t last forever. You may have even a well-made restoration last as few as seven years, though some people manage to hold onto them for 20 years or more with proper care. Usually, receding gums and recurrent decay are the culprits for older ones.

The shortened version is that you shouldn’t feel like you’re restricting yourself, but you’ll need to find a reputable cosmetic dentist to do the work, so you get the longest lifespan possible from it.