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Cosmetic Dentist Disaster

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I am at my wits end and about to cry. I paid to have four porcelain veneers done— two on either side of my front teeth. When the canine teeth came in they were too bulky. He tried to slim one down, but that ended up creating a dark spot. He did agree to replace that one, but I still have canine teeth which stick out too far. Additionally, I only saw them in natural light. When I got home to artificial light, they look gray and very different from my front teeth. My dentist said there’s nothing he can do about it. I’m devastated. Am I being too picky? Is there anything which can be done about it?

Elaine

Dear Elaine,

Woman covering her mouth with hand. Seeing something shocking surprised and speechless face expression.

When you pay a cosmetic dentist for a beautiful smile, you don’t want one you’re ashamed of sharing.

I am going to start off by saying you are definitely NOT being too picky. You paid money to get a beautiful smile and that is what you should receive. In all honesty, I think your dentist is in over his head. In fact, I’m positive. Cosmetic Dentistry isn’t taught in dental school. A dentist has to take the time to learn the craft and artistry involved.

Your canine teeth were too thick, so he tries grounding them down a bit. Then he ends up creating a dark spot. He seems to be learning as he goes along. Yes, he’s going to replace the porcelain veneer he damaged, but what is he going to about how bulky they are? Did he mention anything about that?

With regard to the teeth looking different colors in different lights, this is known as color metamerism. An expert cosmetic dentist understands this and would have been sure to let you look at them in different lights so you could get a true picture of your smile before approving them.

In regard to him saying he can’t do anything about that, he absolutely can. He can re-do it. However, in your case, I think you shouldn’t trust him. Instead, you should ask for a refund. Once that is secure, you can go to a true cosmetic dentist to do your smile.

Finding an Expert Cosmetic Dentist

Before allowing another dentist near your smile, I’d like you to look at their smile gallery. See what type of results they get with porcelain veneer cases they’ve done. If you are not blown away by how stunning the results are, then find another dentist.

I’d take two other quick steps though. Call their office to make sure the images in their smile gallery are actual cases the dentist has done and not stock photos.

The final step will be to check his reviews. You want to see what experience other patients have had with him or her. Is he easy to work with? Does he listen to his patient’s desires about their smile?

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Imam.

Cosmetic Dentistry Disaster

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I need some help. I had a gap between my two front teeth which bothered me. To fix that, my dentist did six porcelain crowns. Ever since then, I’ve been miserable. I can’t speak properly, my neck and head hurt, and my mouth is seriously dry. Could all this occur just because I closed a tooth gap?  Can it be fixed?

Amy

Dear Amy,

Woman with a beautiful smile

The problem you are facing here isn’t the gap being closed. It’s actually the fact that your dentist isn’t skilled in cosmetic work. First, the solution he chose is a massive overtreatment for gapped teeth. The traditional treatment for a gap between two teeth is to have dental bonding done. This closes the gap without removing tooth structure.

Also, the fact that he did six of them for one gap, tells me he wasn’t sure how to match them to your natural tooth structure so he just replaced all the visible ones. However, you’ve got a problem much more serious than overtreatment. I suspect two very serious things have happened.

First, I believe he opened up your bite too much, which is leading to the neck and head pain you’re experiencing. Second, I believe he has your crowns too which has likely left you unable to naturally close your lips.

The first issue can lead to massive TMJ problems. The second will lead to large amounts of decay. When your mouth is dry, as it will be if you can’t close your lips naturally, it decreases your saliva. Our saliva is loaded with minerals which wash our teeth and fight the bacteria which leads to decay.

Getting a Cosmetic Dentistry Disaster Fixed

This has to be fixed. I’m going to recommend you see one of the recommended dentists on the mynewsmile.com website. They recommend excellent cosmetic dentists who can help you get a refund from your dentist and then re-do your case properly. However, I want you to look for one other qualification.

You may want to call the Spear Study Club and see who they have which are also on the list I mentioned above. Those who participate in this study club invest a great deal of time in doing advanced restorative work. They can make sure your bite gets restored not just beautifully, but with proper function as well.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Imam.

Cosmetic Dentist Horror Story

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I have had a disastrous smile makeover and don’t know what to do. I had a chipped tooth which had dental bonding on it. It was wearing out. A new dentist took over my old dentist’s practice. He suggested I get porcelain veneers on six teeth in order to remake the smile. I was excited about the idea. However, when he found out I had some dental fillings, he said I need to get dental crowns instead. I figured he knew better, because he is the professional, but I’ve since learned that is not the case. Plus, my two front teeth look disastrously gray compared to the rest of my teeth. I just don’t even want to smile anymore. I feel like I’d have been better off without any of it being done.

Misty

Dear Misty,

woman covering her mouth
When cosmetic dentistry is done well, you won’t want to hide your smile.

What you’ve experienced is a family dentist who dabbles in cosmetic dentistry. He doesn’t understand how it really works. It is an art form which is not taught in dental schools. A dentist has to invest time and training in learning to do beautiful cosmetic dentistry. You are correct that he gave you bad advice, but there is nothing you can really do about it at this point except try to fix this so you can be proud of your smile again.

Here’s what you’ll need to do. First, speak to your dentist and ask him to re-do the two front teeth. They don’t match your teeth and he should care enough about his work to be willing to fix this.

One work of caution. You’ll want him to do a try-in before you agree to have the new dental crowns bonded on. He needs to use a clear try-in paste in order to give you a true representation of what the color will look like once it is bonded on.

Because he is just a dabbler in cosmetic dentistry, he likely won’t have these try-in pastes on hand. In that case, he can use any clear glycerin or water soluable gel.

Finding a Great Cosmetic Dentist

If he balks at any of this, you are better off just going to a different dentist to have these re-done. You’ll want to look for one of the recommended dentists on the mynewsmile.com website.

They screen cosmetic dentists who want to be listed for both technical skill and artistry. You can input your zipcode and how far you are willing to travel. They’ll provide you with a list of the best cosmetic dentists in that area.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Imam.

Bait and Switch Cosmetic Dentistry

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I need some advice. I spent my entire life savings to have a beautiful porcelain veneers smile makeover. When the temporaries were ready, I really liked them. However, when the permanent ones came in they looked different. the surface was dull and without texture and the color was noticeably darker. I told him I wanted them like the temporaries and he said the dullness would go away after he bonded them on. I asked why the temporaries had the right color but not these and he said that’s how labs do them and they’ll brighten up. They didn’t. Now I’m stuck with this because my dentist said it will damage my teeth to re-do them once they’re bonded on. What do I do?

Annabelle

Dear Annabelle,

Woman with a beautiful smile
When you pay for a stunning smile, that’s what you should get

You deserve better than this. First, we’ll start with the fact that porcelain veneers can definitely be redone, despite what your dentist told you. Doing so will not damage your teeth in the least. Dentists with less integrity will say that to get the patient to shut up and accept the smile they were given.

The fact that your final veneers were not your agreed up look and color puts you in a good position to get a refund. Depending on the skill of your dentist, you might not have to resort to that.

The first thing I want you to do is look at the smile gallery on his website. If he doesn’t have one, that’s a warning sign. Anyone serious about cosmetic dentistry will have a smile gallery showing before and after pictures of the work they’ve done.

For now, let’s go on the assumption he does. In that case, I want you to look closely at his work. Does he create gorgeous smiles? Would you be proud to wear them? If not, then doubt his ability to make your smile any better even if he agrees to re-do it. In that case, you’d be better served just getting a refund and going to a more talented cosmetic dentist to start over.

Guaranteed Gorgeous Cosmetic Dentistry

When you look for the next cosmetic dentist to help you. You want one who will stand behind their work and not be satisfied unless you are. That means even when the porcelain veneers are completed, they put them in with a temporary try-in paste.

If you’re not absolutely thrilled, they go back to the lab to make any necessary changes.

Where Do You Go From Here?

If you think your dentist is capable of creating a beautiful smile for you according to the specifications you want, then ask him to re-do the veneers free of charge. If he says that’s not possible, show him this blog post.

If you don’t think your dentist can do the job correctly or if he refuses to re-do the work, go to an expert cosmetic dentist and see if they’d be willing to help you get a refund so you can see a dentist who can.

This blog is brought to you by San Antonio Dentist Dr. Imam.