This cosmetic dentist messed up.

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I went to see a cosmetic dentist because there was a small chip in my dental bonding. This was a new dentist for me since my original dentist has retired. When he examined my teeth and noticed I had fillings, he told me that I needed to have porcelain crowns done on my front teeth. He insisted that would make my entire smile uniform.

I’m not an expert and have always trusted my dentist, so I let him do the work. I wish I hadn’t moved forward with it. I look ridiculous. I have six porcelain crowns on my front teeth and the ones in front look grey. None of the cosmetic dentistry work blends in well. Is there anything that can be done at this point?

-Linda in Nebraska

Linda,

This sounds all too familiar. Now you find yourself in your very own cosmetic dentistry horror story, where it’s likely you feel like you are worse off than before you had any work done.

Unfortunately, there isn’t much that can be done to fix the porcelain crowns. That said hopefully the dentist that did the work will redo it until you are satisfied. However, as you now know, not just any dentist can do beautiful cosmetic dentistry. It requires an artistic eye, extensive training beyond dental school and a true passion for aesthetics.

Since you have spent a lot of money, you can try to have them redone. Then, you should absolutely insist that you have a try-in before they are permanently bonded in place. Most excellent cosmetic dentists have what they like to refer to as a beautiful smile guarantee. This means that the patient will have multiple times to see exactly what the cosmetic dentistry will look like before they are permanently cemented. So, being able to view them for a try-in is a reasonable request.

dental patient looking at smile in mirrorAlso, you can request a clear try-in paste. This will help to transmit the tooth color under the crowns. Now, you shouldn’t have to tell him this, but if he doesn’t have a clear try-in paste, clear glycerin or a water-soluble gel, which will do the trick. This will ensure you have a full picture of what the final product will look like. But, honestly, it is silly that you would have to instruct your dentist.

So, if you get a sense that the dentist is not comfortable or willing to accommodate your requests, it may be best to see an expert cosmetic dentist that will be able to get these front crowns right.

If the crowns look bad enough, a new cosmetic dentist may be able to assist you in getting a refund of some kind. However, it is imperative that you be careful about finding a new cosmetic dentist. Ask about their credentials, ask to see similar cases to yours and ask about any kind of guarantee that you will be happy with the work.

I hope this is helpful and that you get them fixed. You should absolutely love your smile, especially when it comes to your front teeth.

Thank you for sharing. Hopefully, it helps someone else that is in your same boat.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

Is it normal for porcelain veneers to have a hump near the gums?

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I have had cosmetic dentistry done on my front two teeth for years. At first, I had dental bonding. Then, I decided to get it replaced with porcelain veneers. Over the years I thought they became dull. So I am having the old veneers re-done. So far, I am not happy with them. I feel like they look bulky and it is kind of a challenge for me to close my mouth comfortably. I had Durathin veneers done and there is a hump near the gumline. I’m just at the temporary stage, so I’m wondering if I should get dental bonding done instead? Is this hump normal? Will I get used to it? I was hoping that it would be much smoother and feel more natural. Maybe it has just been so long since my original veneers and I just forgot. Do you have any thoughts?

– Becca in Pennsylvania

Becca,

No, porcelain veneers should not have a hump near the gumline. Is this a new cosmetic dentist that you are using this time around? Beautiful cosmetic dentistry is like art. The dentist has to have a passion and thorough understanding in order to make them look lifelike and natural.

A hump or any transition from the veneer to the tooth, simply may not look right. Also, this area is prone to tooth decay and possible gum inflammation. If your dentist is an experienced cosmetic dentist, then he or she should definitely know this.

In the hands of a skilled cosmetic dentist, it doesn’t matter whether it’s dental bonding or what brand of porcelain veneers – the work should be done beautifully. Therefore, the question you need to ponder may be if you are at the right cosmetic dentist?

If you are convinced that your dentist is an artist, be sure you have the opportunity to see exactly how they will look before they are permanently bonded into place. Make sure there is no hump. Don’t let them be bonded into your mouth unless you are positive you love the way they look. If this dentist values their work, they will want you to absolutely love the way they look. Don’t settle for anything less. And if you are unsure about the skill level of the dentist, it would be worth a second opinion to a different cosmetic dentist.

It could simply be a misunderstanding. So it’s fine to continue through the process. A hump is not acceptable. So don’t assume it will look better after the final bonding. It’s your front teeth and you don’t want to be unhappy with the end product. Thank you for your question.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.

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