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Getting my money back for Lumineers

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I paid to get 10 Lumineers. Unfortunately, I made a mistake going to my current dentist. I went to him because he was significantly cheaper than the other dentists in the area. Now I know why. I should have guessed when he had so much trouble putting them on. It took FOREVER.

Just a few days after he put them in, one fell out. Since then another one cracked. Additionally, I developed gum inflammation, which I’ve never had before. By then, I was completely  fed up, so I did some research and learned what a real cosmetic dentist is. I got a second opinion. He said it was the poor placement that led to my gum inflammation. I had to have my gums lasered to take care of that problem.

I’m having all ten Lumineers re-done, but this new dentist said that the Lumineers aren’t the best quality, so we’ll do a different brand of porcelain veneers. It’s going to cost me more than the last dentist, but I think the better smile will be worth it. I was wondering if there was a way to get any of my money back from the last dentist?

Cheryl O. from Rhode Island

Cheryl,

Because it is a matter of incompetence in placement, there is a good chance that you can get at least some of your money back.  First, I’d ask nicely. If the dentist doesn’t agree, you can threaten to sue and that may soften his heart. You’ll need to get the current cosmetic dentist to document the poor workmanship and have him be willing to say that this job was not up to industry standards. You should also show that it led to needing gum disease treatment.  With all of that documented you shouldn’t have too much trouble getting some of your money back.

The only problem you may run into is getting the current dentist to testify.  Sometimes dentist don’t like testifying against one another because it is not a great way to make friends in your peer group, but if he workmanship was bad enough, he may be willing.

I’m sorry you had this experience. Hopefully you’ll tell your friends about it so they don’t make the same mistake. Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty.  Any general dentist can learn a cosmetic procedure and call themselves a cosmetic dentist.  However, it takes a great deal of post-graduate training to really be skilled in cosmetic dentistry.

I’m encouraged that your current dentist isn’t a fan of Lumineers. Their are many different brands of porcelain veneers, you and your dentist can determine which brand is best for your case. The Lumineers lab insists you use their lab,  and many better cosmetic dentists prefer to use their own master ceramist.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Point Woods Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

White fillings with insurance

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I read your webpage about white fillings. I need a filling on one of my lower teeth, which I wanted to do as a white filling. However, my dentist said my dental insurance only covers amalgam fillings.  Do you think that is because it really won’t cover any composite fillings or that he is uncomfortable doing composites? Your page said not to press a dentist who tries to convince you to do an amalgam filling instead.

Ge Ann L. from Missouri

GeAnn,

I cannot be certain about the comfort level of your dentist with composite fillings (white fillings). However, I suspect he in not completely comfortable placing them because the information he gave you about dental insurance isn’t completely correct. Here is how it works. Insurance generally looks to cover the less expensive acceptable treatment. If you need a filling on your front teeth, than your insurance will more than likely cover the composite fillings because in that position the filling is very visible. However, on the back teeth either type of filling would work because they are not as visible. Because amalgam fillings are less expensive than white fillings, that is the treatment your insurance would cover.

That doesn’t mean you would have to pay for all of a composite filling if you wanted one on your back teeth. Your insurance will cover the amount necessary for the amalgam and you would make up the price difference between amalgam and composite fillings.

However, just because you can get a composite filling, doesn’t mean you should pressure your dentist to place them. As you read on our website, these type of fillings require additional training for the bonding procedures. This is not something your dentist was likely to learn in dental school. it is something for which he would have had to do considerable post-graduate training. You can get the fillings you want. You just need to call around and find a dentist who has the training and experience necessary to perform the procedure.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Ted Hadgis.

Fitting Crowns together

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I’ve had crowns in the past without any problems. Recently, my dentist put two more crowns on. I’m to the permanent crowns so there is not more dental work to be done on them. The problem is the new crowns are not touching the teeth opposite on the lower jaw. These teeth are also crowned.  They’re at least 2mm from touching. I used a new dentist do to moving states. I wonder if it is just differences in preference and style that makes these crowns seem different from my previous ones, or if this new dentist made a mistake. It seems to me they should touch the other teeth. It bothers me because my mouth feels funny. What should I do?

Kimberly A. from Denver

Kimberly,

You have good instincts. Your dental crowns should touch their opposing teeth. How this works is called occlusion. There are textbooks and many post-graduate courses designed to teach the complexities of how it all functions.

One of the leading causes of TMJ disorder is improper alignment of your teeth. If your jaw is properly aligned, you should be able to clench together and all your teeth will meet at the same time. Also,there are two acceptable patterns of occlusion when you slide your teeth side-to-side. One is called canine-protected occlusion. In that type, when you grind your teeth to the side, only your canine teeth touch. These teeth have long, strong roots and are equipped to take this sideways stress. The second acceptable pattern is called group function. In group function, all of the posterior teeth have the same slope and when you grind your teeth to the side, they all touch evenly.

Over time, your teeth may drift together and touch, but there is a strong chance that they won’t touch properly, which throws your bite out of alignment. I’d speak with your new dentist about fixing this. Although, if he or she isn’t qualified in the study of occlusion, you may just want to ask for a refund and go to a different dentist to have your crowns done. You might look for someone who has done some post-graduate study at LVI.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Is smoking damaging my implant?

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I got an implant a little over a month ago. For some reason when I brush my teeth there is some bleeding at the implant site. Do you think the fact that I smoke is damaging it? I’m not looking for a lecture, just an honest answer.

Frank B. from San Antonio, TX

Frank,

An honest answer is that your implant site is probably just still sensitive. Give it some time and the bleeding should stop. There are some signs of dental implants failing to look out for, such as pain, implant mobility, and loose bone.  However, smoking can cause other periodontal and mouth issues.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods dentist Dr. Ted Hadgis.

Fake looking Lumineers

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Hi, my dentist told me I had some cracks in my teeth and I’d need Lumineers to strengthen them.  He said that normally the cost was $1925.00 per tooth, but that he had a special going for the next two weeks that meant I could do it for half the price. I went ahead and did it because it seemed like the only real opportunity I’d have to fix my teeth well.  I wish I hadn’t done it though, because now my teeth look completely fake. Is there any way to fix them once they’ve been bonded on?

Debbie B. from Birmingham

Debbie,

I’m sorry to say they cannot be fixed. They can only be replaced. I know that was a huge expense for you and you are probably very frustrated. There are two red flags to me in this situation. First,  is the diagnosis. What appears to be cracks, isn’t always so. Sometimes they are just craze lines. It is probably better to get a second opinion on that kind of thing. The second thing that bothers  me about this situation is his “sales tactic”.  I’m always frustrated when I hear of dentists using pressure tactics like you faced. Having a special on a service is all fine and good, but to tell someone it only lasts for two weeks seems to me to be a way of making them make a decision quickly because they were on the fence. I don’t like it.

When you’re ready to have this smile re-done, I recommend going to a different dentist. Not just because of the reasons above, but also because of the lack of quality results you got. Lumineers tend to look a little bulky, especially when done by an inexperienced dentist. Without some real training in porcelain veneers you could end up looking like you have cheap dentures. I recommend you look for a dentist in your area who is AACD accredited. They will be able to give you a gorgeous smile.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods cosmetic dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Jaw problems

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For many years my jaw has often cracked and popped when I ate. As I get older it is doing this more and more. Sometimes, now, it even feels like I have lockjaw. The only solution I’ve ever been given is to break and reset my jaw. Recently I came across your website and started reading your information on TMJ.  I’ve begun wondering if that could be the problem. What do you think?

Justin from Colorado

Justin,

Without examining you it would be hard for me to say anything definitive. However, I will say I think breaking your jaw seems a little on the extreme side. I also think it is very possible you have TMJ disorder, specifically related to the disc in the  temporomandibular joint.  I wouldn’t go to anyone who calls themselves a TMJ dentist. Look for someone with specific TMJ training, like at the Las Vegas Institute (LVI).

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods TMJ Specialist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Stains on my crowns

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I have some stains on my dental crowns. Do you think it could be because I smoke? Is there anything I can do about them?

Jennie from Las Vegas

Jennie,

Smoking does cause staining on your teeth, so it is very possible this is where your stains are originating. There are two ways to combat this. I recommend doing both. First, your dentist can remove the stains on your dental crowns using a porcelain polish with a superfine diamond grit. Then, to help with new surface stains you could use a cosmetic toothpaste such as Supersmile on a daily basis.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Doctor wants to break my jaw

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I have always had problems with my jaw popping and cracking. Recently, it has gotten significantly worse and occasionally feels like I have lock-jaw. My doctor offered the solution of breaking and re-setting my jaw. That seems like a drastic step without having a diagnosis. Are there other options for me?

A frustrated patient in Wyoming.

I can see why you are frustrated. I haven’t examined you, but yes, I would find that a little extreme as a course of action without a solid diagnosis. What you’re describing sounds like a problem with the disc in your jaw-joint related to TMJ disorder. You’ll want to find a TMJ specialist to examine you. Look for a dentist who has had training with the distinguished Las Vegas Institute (LVI). TMJ is complicated and requires  post-graduate training.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Teeth not lining up with implants

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I just had four dental implants placed, but now my teeth aren’t lining up when I bite down. Is this normal?

Kathy- Tallahassee, FL

Kathy,

No, this is not normal. Your teeth should line up together when you bite. I’d get this looked to right away, because if it isn’t fixed it could lead to TMJ disorder.

There are a couple of possibilities for what went wrong with your dental implants:

  1. The more likely scenario is that the surgeon placed the implants in the wrong position.
  2. The other possibility is that the implants weren’t restored properly.

Implant dentistry is not a recognized specialty and fairly unregulated. It is important to go to a dentist that has a lot of post graduate implant credentials, such as at LVI. It’s even more helpful if you can find a dentist that is also knowledgeable in neuromuscular dentistry, like Dr. Hadgis is. Although it is challenging to find that combination.

This blog is brought to you by Grosse Pointe Woods Cosmetic dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.

Is dental bonding reversible?

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I had some dental bonding done on a front tooth, but I am unhappy with it. Is there a way I can have my dentist take it off and re-do it?

Bethany- Kansas City

Bethany,

Yes, dental bonding is easy to have removed. It just requires a special sandpaper that takes it right down to the tooth. I wouldn’t recommend having the same dentist re-do it. Chances are if you were unhappy the first time, you’ll  be unhappy again. Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty, so there are large varieties of both qualifications and artistic skill when it comes to dentists who do cosmetic procedures. I’d look for someone who is AACD accredited (American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry). Any dentist with accredited status with this organization will have the highest level of skill when it comes to cosmetic dentistry. It’s better to pay a little more for someone more qualified and only have to do it once, then to have to re-do it several times.

This blog is sponsored by Grosse Pointe Woods Cometic dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.