I had six porcelain veneers put in several months ago. Unfortunately have had to have them replaced two times already. First she (my dentist) added a yellow/gray color to make them “look natural”. I hated them and insisted they be replaced, especially because I told her I wanted a white smile. Then the next pair had cracks in them and had to be replaced. I’m still not completely satisfied with this third pair. Is this normal? I spent so much money on these that I feel like I should be getting a fantastic smile.
Candice from Benton, AR
Candice,
Your story isn’t uncommon. Anyone can call themselves a cosmetic dentist, but in reality very few are truly qualified. It takes a lot of post-graduate training to become an artistic cosmetic dentist, especially with porcelain veneers. You’re fortunate that your dentist has been amenable to replacing them both times. Many dentists wouldn’t do that.
What you want to do is look for a dentist who has exceptional cosmetic training. See if they’ve gone to the Las Vegas Institute (LVI). It is one of the most respected post-graduate dental training programs available. To get the best of the best in cosmetic dentistry, I’d look for someone who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Notice I said accredited and not just a member. Accreditation takes exceptional training and a demonstration of artistry on the part of the dentist. Also, you can ask your dentist to put on the veneers with a temporary paste so you can try them on and see how they look in various lights before he or she permanently bonds them on.
This blog is brought to you Grosse Pointe Woods cosmetic dentist Dr. Theodore Hadgis.