porcelain veneer problems Archives

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.

Is there anything I can do to avoid my porcelain veneers from coming off occasionally?

September 6, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I just paid a lot of money to have eight porcelain veneers placed. I was really surprised to hear from the dentist that I should expect them to come off every couple months. He told me to avoid really crunchy foods, but is there anything I can do to help them last longer? It sounds like a pain to have to go back in to have them redone so frequently.

-Tamara in Oklahaoma

What?! That is absurd. Cosmetic dentistry is not regulated as a specialty area within dentistry. This means that any dentist can say they do porcelain veneers or other cosmetic dentistry services, like dental bonding, without any additional training beyond dental school. Porcelain veneers should not come off regularly. That is a very poor standard of care and is unacceptable. If the veneers come off before a year of being placed, the dentist should be liable for that. You should have every right to request a refund, as well. When porcelain veneers are placed correctly by an expert cosmetic dentist that has had the appropriate training, they should last more like ten years.

Also, you shouldn’t have any dietary restrictions. Apples, chips, and other crunchy foods should be eaten without a second thought when porcelain veneers are done correctly. Now, don’t go around using your teeth for tools and opening cans or packages. But you should be able to eat normally. If the dental bonding was done correctly, they should not fall off.

Now, if you have a night grinding problem or take part in contact sports, a night guard and mouthpiece should be worn. But it is completely inaccurate and not within the normal standard of care to state that the veneers would come off on occasion.

If indeed you encounter this happening, you should be able to request a refund. Then, it will be time to find a reputable cosmetic dentist in your area and move on.

Thank you for your question. This kind of misinformation is ridiculous.

I’m living a porcelain veneers horror story!

September 4, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I’m so sad. My porcelain veneers look terrible. I have been seeing the same dentist since I was five years old. I love going to see him. When I was in for a regular checkup, I mentioned that I had a really big project at work. It was an opportunity for me to expand my role at and I would be highly visible. He offered to do porcelain veneers to improve my smile. And I didn’t think twice about it. I have always trusted him. I have only ever had positive experiences at the dentist.

So, he did the work. Well, I guess that was a big mistake. I am so unhappy with the results. They are oddly shaped for one. The color isn’t right. I don’t know how to explain it. But, they look fake. The best way to explain it is that it looks like I have Chiclets glued to the front of my teeth.

But, the thing that is most frustrating is that I can’t talk normally. My tongue keeps getting stuck on them and I sound funny. This is a nightmare. I’m not only paranoid about only how they look, but I’m embarrassed that I sound funny. What do I do? I don’t want to damage our relationship. But, I’m mortified. I have to get them fixed or taken off.

-Elizabeth in Louisiana

Elizabeth,

Oh no! This is an unfortunate situation. The bad news is that the porcelain veneers cannot be removed. When porcelain veneers are placed, a tiny bit of the enamel is removed so that they can be permanently bonded in place. When porcelain veneers are don’t correctly, the tooth preparation steps ensures they look completely seamless and natural-looking. But, it also means that they cannot be removed. Your smile won’t look like it used to. Also, your teeth would be more susceptible to decay.

You have learned the hard way. There is a fundamental difference between cosmetic dentists and general dentists. It sounds like your general dentist is a wonderful dentist, seeing that you’ve been going to him since you were a child. But, he simply may not have the training and experience to do beautiful porcelain veneers.

To be an excellent cosmetic dentist requires extensive training beyond dental school. A cosmetic dentist is passionate about creating beauty, in the same way an artist is obsessed with creating art. Think of your smile like a canvas. That is how a true cosmetic dentist is motivated. They want nothing more than for you to fall in love with your new smile.

I know you don’t want to hear this. But, you probably need to see a different dentist to get this straightened out. One that is highly experienced in cosmetic dentistry. If it was only a matter of fixing the speech issue, your dentist may be able to make some adjustments. But, it sounds like there are many things wrong with the smile design. So, the porcelain veneers need to be replaced.

You need to talk to your dentist. He may end up offering to redo them for you. But, it is not in your best interest. He probably had the best intentions. He’s just not equipped to do the highly-skilled, aesthetic work that is needed. You may be able to see if he will refund you or give you some money back, so you can go elsewhere to get the smile you deserve.

You shouldn’t feel bad. Honestly, it’s probably him who will feel really bad. You can continue seeing him for your routine care. But, for the porcelain veneers and any future cosmetic dentistry, be sure you find a reputable cosmetic dentist.

Look for one that has many before and after photographs to share with you. Ask about their training, what other services they provide and how they will improve your case. Good luck to you!

Is it common for porcelain veneers to have a bump?

September 3, 2021 by Brian Sartin

My two front teeth have been troublesome over the years. I have had them bonded but they kept needing replaced, so I decided to try out porcelain veneers. Well, that didn’t work for me either. I felt like they looked bulky. So the next dentist decided to do bonding again. That was a joke, my teeth have never looked worse. So onto the next dentist that is swearing by porcelain veneers that require shaving of the enamel? It is like a little bump near the gum line apparently? Is that common? I have about had it. But I’m hoping third (or fourth) time is a charm.

I have the temporaries in now and they look okay. I have seen a lot of photos and they have a hump near the gum line. Is there a brand that doesn’t have the hump? I’d love some advice because this is getting kind of ridiculous.

– Paulette in Florida

Paulette,

It sounds like you are experiencing a lot of general dentists that may claim to do cosmetic dentistry. Sadly, they may not have had the expertise required to deliver beautiful results. If you are seeing humps near the gum from your current dentist, you may want to cut your losses before the permanent ones are placed. In order to do beautiful porcelain veneers, a cosmetic dentist must have much advanced training and an artistic eye. Cosmetic dentistry is not regulated so any dentist can claim to do veneers. But as you can see, you have had several failed attempts.

The bottom line is that there should be no hump or bump or any visible distinction from where the natural tooth ends and the veneer begins. If there is any kind of area that is not seamless, you run the risk of bacteria and plaque getting into that area.

It sounds like you have gotten yourself in quite a predicament going from one dentist to another. An expert cosmetic dentist should be able to create beautiful dental bonding, porcelain veneers, or porcelain crowns. Since the front teeth are indeed so visible you need to do some research and ask to see cases similar to yours, as well as inquire about the dentist’s training and credentials. It’s not about the right brand or you selecting the right treatment plan, it’s all about selecting the right cosmetic dentist.

Since you are already in the process of moving forward with this dentist, it is understandable you feel obligated to give it a shot. If you do decide to stay with this dentist, be sure to get a try-in appointment so you can see exactly what the new permanent porcelain veneers will look like before they are bonded in place once and for all. Don’t take his or her word for it. Make sure you have the opportunity to see exactly how they will look, so you know that you’ll like them. Don’t let the dentist tell you that they will look better after they’ve been bonded. As you now, that’s too late! An excellent cosmetic dentist will insist that you love the way the look. To them, their work is a failure if you don’t fall in love with them.

Is it strange that I can no longer floss after getting porcelain veneers?

August 28, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I’m hoping you can shed some light on my cosmetic dentistry problem. I just had nine total eMax veneers placed last week. Now, I can’t floss. Is that a big problem in maintaining the look of my porcelain veneers?

-Sheila in Florida

Sheila,

Not being able to floss correctly after getting porcelain veneers is a major problem. Excellent oral hygiene is imperative in maintaining and keeping cosmetic dentistry beautiful. Lack of daily flossing will lead to an increased risk of tooth decay around the shell of the porcelain. If the situation is not remedied, your teeth are highly susceptible to serious problems, not to mention the health of your gums.

The truth of the matter is that only a very small percentage of dentists that “claim” to be cosmetic dentists, actually do beautiful work that meets the standard of care. It is not a recognized specialty area within dentistry, so any dentist can say the do porcelain veneers. But in order to provide excellent care requires extensive training and coursework beyond dental school. Since your dentist did not use correct dental bonding techniques, the spacing sounds like it’s all wrong.

You should be able to floss between each tooth, even after getting porcelain veneers placed. The floss should glide smoothly along each tooth and not run into any snags or bumps along the way. You will be at risk for gum disease as well, if this is not corrected. Your gums will become puffy and their overall health will suffer without regular flossing.

At this point it may be wise to seek a second opinion from an experienced cosmetic dentist, one that thoroughly understands the proper porcelain veneer bonding techniques to provide adequate function and spacing. You can go back into the dentist that placed them and express your concern. But since this was the end product he left you with, you really may be better off moving on.

Thank you for your question. Hopefully, it will help others be careful in learning more about their cosmetic dentist before moving forward.

My porcelain veneer came off. Can I see an emergency dentist to fix it?

August 15, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I’m mortified because I look silly. One of my porcelain veneers came off. I’m sure this isn’t a dental emergency under normal circumstances, but I have a job interview in two days. My dentist doesn’t seem like it’s a big deal. So I’m considering seeing an emergency dentist. I guess they don’t see this as an urgent need and their schedule will not allow it. Can I just Super Glue the veneer back on to get through the interview?

-Tracy in Arizona

Tracy,

Please don’t use Super Glue! That would be a dental nightmare, to say the least. Yes, it will hold it in place for your job interview. But you may cause serious damage to the tooth underneath. Let’s put it this way. If you use Super Glue to reattach it, you will increase the chances of creating a dental emergency. It could stick too well, or you may not get the seal done correctly. Bacteria flourishes under circumstances like that. This means you will be dealing with tooth decay too. The veneer could break and irreversible damage can be done to your natural tooth. So, please do not use Super Glue!

Your dentist probably leaves space in the daily schedule for dental emergencies, but something like this may not be as urgent as someone in pain. A cosmetic dentist may feel differently and better accommodate your needs. But, since you aren’t a regular patient of record, it may still be difficult to get in to a new dentist before your job interview. For the short term, you may want to consider temporary dental cement. You can find this at your local drug store. It is most often used for a dental crown, but it will work safely to reattach your porcelain veneer. Just remember that this is a temporary fix. Decay can happen quickly if the tooth isn’t checked out. It also may be decay which caused the veneer to pop off in the first place. If you decide to try the temporary cement, try to avoid eating and drinking on the tooth. Then, get into see your dentist at the earliest convenience.

Thank you for your question and good luck on the job interview.