I’ve cried since getting home from the dentist. I spent years worth of savings to get a beautiful smile, but it looks totally fake. They’re bulky and chalky white. Honestly, to me, it looks like my dentist bonded pieces of white chicklet gum to my teeth. I told him what I thought and he said I am overreacting and am just not used to what they look like. He said in a week I’d be thanking him. Maybe he’s right but all I can do right now is cry. Am I overreacting?

Patricia

Dear Patricia,

I can’t tell you how much it breaks my heart every time I hear a story like this. It sounds like you went to a family dentist who dabbles in cosmetic dentistry but hasn’t invested time in serious training to develop his knowledge, skill, or artistry. Based on the description of the results (and I’m taking a guess here) he likely placed Lumineers.

Lumineers are a brand of porcelain veneers which are highly marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easy to place because they are considered “no-prep”. The problem with no-prep veneers is they often look bulky when they’re finished. Their lab also isn’t known for its beautiful work. Most expert cosmetic dentists prefer other brands of porcelain veneers.

If they are permanently bonded on, the only way to fix it is to have them replaced. The first thing I would do is tell your dentist this isn’t the smile you paid for. If he cares about the quality of his work and satisfaction of his patients, he’ll be willing to re-do it. If he does, make sure he lets you see them on your teeth with a temporary try-in paste. This way you can approve them before he bonds them on again.

If he’s unwilling, one thing I’m going to suggest you do is see an expert cosmetic dentist. Look for one in your area who is AACD accredited. They are the best cosmetic dentists in the country. They may be able to help you secure at least a partial refund. Then, you can let the skilled dentist do your smile makeover.

This blog is brought to you by Philadelphia Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Michael Weiss.