I hope you can help me. After decades of wanting a new smile, I was finally able to do it now that all my children are set up as adults. I am 52 and have tetracycline stained teeth. I went to a local cosmetic dentist, but am very disappointed in the results. I picked a too white color, which is the first problem. I have olive skin and the color looks fake combined with my skin tone. I also feel like the teeth are too long. Plus, they feel loose and I’m afraid they are going to fall out. My face aches tremendously and I hate my smile. I don’t know what to do. Can you help me?
Donna Marie S. from Staten Island
Donna Marie,
I’m very sorry for your experience. The problems stem from having an inexperienced dentist do your dental work. Many people don’t know that cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty. Any dentist who learns a few procedures can call themselves a cosmetic dentist. There are a few things that make me think your dentist wasn’t qualified.
First, the color problem. Yes, you admit you picked the color. That may be true. However, a true artistic cosmetic dentist would have warned you how that color would look against your skin tones. They understand that procedure.
Secondly, I have never known a true cosmetic dentist who didn’t make sure you absolutely love your smile before the porcelain veneers are permanently bonded. Each dentist has there own method for accomplishing that. Generally they will make a set of provisional veneers that you can wear with a try-in paste. You can look at them in lots of different lights and even have family members and friends come in and look at them to see what they think. If you don’t love them, they will go back to the lab until you are thrilled with them.
Thirdly, I have something that concerns me. If the veneers were loose, they would fall off. I’m worried that maybe the way your dentist placed your veneers threw off your bite. This can lead to serious complications, including TMJ disorder and the loosening of your teeth.
However, this third concern may be a minor blessing. The only way to fix your veneers is to get them completely re-done. I recommend going to another dentist, one who is truly qualified, and let them look at your veneers. I would go to the mynewsmile.com website and check out their Find a cosmetic dentist link. They only recommend the highest level of cosmetic dentists. Go to one of their cosmetic dentists in your area. If they agree that the veneers have thrown off your bite, they may be able to help you get restitution from your dentist. You many not be able to get all of your money back, but at least enough of it to go a long way toward getting you new veneers.
I hope this has been some help. This blog is brought to you by York PA Cosmetic dentist Dr. Donald Currie.