I was so excited to get my porcelain veneers done and sadly, now that I have them, I don’t like them. The canine teeth seem to be the biggest issue to me. They look crooked and there is a visible line showing above one of my front teeth. I am thinking it may be my natural tooth showing through underneath the veneer.
I talked to my dentist about it and he said the tooth showing really wasn’t a big deal and it was very small. Even though he said it is not obvious since it is so small, it’s all I can look at. It’s driving me crazy! I had to save up for months to get the veneers and now I feel like it was a waste. On top of the fact, I’m concerned about how well they will hold up and if my underlying tooth that is showing will have decay or other issues.
The main reason I wanted porcelain veneers done was because the old dental bonding I had on my front teeth needed to be replaced anyway. I was told that the porcelain veneers would last longer than the bonding and would look much nicer. Now, I’m left feeling frustrated and helpless.
Is there anything that can be done? I feel more insecure now than when I had the ugly old tooth bonding.
Please let me know if you have any recommendations.
-Sondra in Virginia
Sondra,
First off, I’m sorry you are unhappy with your porcelain veneers. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon and usually due to the fact that too many general dentists get in over their heads in offering cosmetic dentistry. Some actually believe that they can provide beautiful work and just don’t have the techniques to do natural-looking, lifelike work. The end result ends up OK or good enough, which isn’t fair to the patients.
Let’s talk about the tooth that may be showing under your porcelain veneer. You shouldn’t be too worried about the risk for tooth decay, as long as there isn’t a groove or edge that could potentially catch plaque or bacteria between the veneer and the tooth. Now, if there is, than it definitely needs to be fixed. You don’t want it to become a food trap. So, hopefully that is a non issue.
But, the bigger problem from what you have described is that it doesn’t sound like you are happy with how they look. An excellent cosmetic dentist will allow multiple steps along the way for you to see exactly how the veneers will look once they are permanently bonded in place. There shouldn’t be any surprises. It was touched on earlier, that far too many general dentists claim they do cosmetic dentistry and end up providing results that simply don’t look natural or beautiful. This sounds like what may be happening with your case. To put it in perspective, less than 2% of dentists possess the skill required to deliver beautiful results.
I’ve heard stories of general dentists that will give you a mirror while you’re laying down in the chair and give you a couple seconds to make a decision. That is not the experience you would get with an excellent cosmetic dentist. This is because cosmetic dentists are passionate about aesthetics and want you to fall in love with your new smile. In fact, if you don’t absolutely love your new smile, an excellent cosmetic dentist would fix it at their own cost and even send it back to the lab until it was perfect. However, that all typically takes place prior to the veneers being cemented in. It doesn’t sound like that is what you have experienced. Now, you are left with a smile you are unhappy with.
From what you have described, it sounds like the canine teeth are bothering you. You could specifically ask your dentist to fix them. At a minimum, he should do that. Also, the response that the line above your tooth is not that noticeable is a good indicator of his ability and aesthetic eye. He should also address this issue. Sadly, you may be better off going to a new dentist. An expert cosmetic dentist will not be happy unless you fall in love with your new smile. They will listen to your concerns and not make you feel like you should get used to it. That’s not the heart of a good cosmetic dentist.
You are not being a burden by requesting that your smile be fixed. So, if you get any push back, you really need to consider seeking a second opinion and finding a cosmetic dentist in your area who will listen to you. Far too many dentists get by with, “it’s good enough.” But, you shouldn’t have to settle. If your dentist doesn’t work with you, it’s time to move on.
Thank you for sharing your story. Hopefully, it will help others that are considering getting a smile makeover with porcelain veneers.
This post is sponsored by Barrington cosmetic dentist James T. Gavrilos, DDS.