I went to my dentist in the hopes of starting a plan to get braces. I have four misaligned teeth in the front. He told me that he could recommend an orthodontist and I could wear braces for three years or he could fix them in just a couple of appointments and make them look even better with porcelain veneers. That seemed like a no-brainer to me. However, when he finished, the porcelain veneers seemed too small because they had a gap at the top and the teeth still looked misaligned. Now, I do realize he told me they would still be misaligned, but they would look straight. They don’t. I’ve spent a small fortune and the changes I wanted are still necessary, plus he charged me a little extra because he said he reshaped my bottom teeth, which we never even talked about so I don’t see why I should be charged for that. When I asked why they still didn’t look straight he said that because as he did the case he realized I’d need two root canal treatments and dental crowns on those teeth so he was leaving things close to normal to allow for those changes. So, now, he wants me to spend even more money. I feel like I’m being taken for a ride. Can porcelain veneers even make teeth look straight or is that a lie too?
Joyce
Dear Joyce,
I’m going to start with your last question first. In the hands of an expert cosmetic dentist, your teeth can definitely be made to look straight. It would appear, because of a number of issues you mentioned, that your dentist is not qualified. Not only that, he appears to be unethical too. I say that because of two particular issues:
- First, he did work on your bottom teeth without consulting you. Informed consent is a foundational principle in dental care. Your dentist ignored that.
- Second, he did work that he considered unnecessary. Why do the porcelain veneers if he thought you needed dental crowns? That is double treatment.
The porcelain veneers that have gaps in them will need to be replaced. These are going to lead to food and other bacteria getting caught between your teeth, gums, and porcelain veneers, which in turn will lead to decay.
I’m not convinced those teeth need root canal treatments either. I am going to implore you to get a second opinion from a qualified cosmetic dentist. Look for someone in your area who is an accredited dentist with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. These are the best cosmetic dentists in the country.
Don’t tell them anything the previous dentist said or even who he was. It is always best to get a blind second opinion. If things are as bad as I think, he or she can help you get a refund on your work and then you can get it done correctly by a dentist who knows exactly what they’re doing.
This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.