My porcelain veneers are off-center. The line between my upper front teeth is a little more than 1/8 inch to the left of my lip midline. I guess this means the other six veneers are in the wrong place, too. It’s noticeable and embarrassing. I could not see this disparity with my temporary veneers, which I have pictures of from last month. My dentist insists that there is no problem with the veneers. Can I get the veneers removed and insist my dentist correct them? Thanks, Chelsea
Chelsea,
If you receive porcelain veneers that are off-center or not in harmony with the midline of your lips, they can be corrected. However, several factors are involved in finding the right cosmetic dentist to ensure you receive stunning results that look natural this time.
Off-Center Porcelain Veneers – Who Can Correct Them?
A skilled cosmetic dentist can harmonize your teeth with your midline, but there are qualities and abilities you should look for when selecting a cosmetic dentist:
- Experience – An experienced cosmetic dentist knows and understands tooth structure and how it influences the look of your smile.
- Artistry – Like an artist who knows how to select colors for a painting or drawing, an artistic cosmetic dentist skillfully selects colors that will look natural. Also, the shape of the porcelain veneers will be sculpted to look like adjacent teeth.
- Balance – If you select an accredited cosmetic dentist, they will know how to balance your porcelain veneers from the gumline to the ends. The midline of your face is an essential factor in achieving balance, and usually, your teeth fall on either side of it. Gaps between teeth or teeth that have shifted affect your smile. Your dentist will know if cosmetic dentistry alone or a combination of porcelain veneers and orthodontics will produce the results you want with porcelain veneers.
What Causes Off-Center Veneers?
If your natural teeth didn’t have a line of symmetry, the dentist who initially provided your veneers should have created it. Improper preparation of your natural teeth or the wrong shape or size of your veneers can cause your smile to be off-center.
What Is the Solution for Off-Center Veneers?
New porcelain veneers are the solution for off-center work and correcting your smile. We recommend scheduling at least two consultations with accredited cosmetic dentists from different practices. An accredited cosmetic dentist has successfully passed rigorous testing and has submitted cases of their work that prove the ability to create beautiful smiles in complex situations.
Dr. James Gavrilos, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Barrington, Illinois, sponsors this post.