I have a huge video presentation coming up with a company in Japan. It could make or break the corporation I work for (not to mention my career). I mentioned how nervous and excited I was to my dentist and he suggested I update my smile to boost my confidence. I agreed. He did a full set of porcelain veneers on me. I think it was the biggest mistake of my life. It looks like he just stuck chicklets on my teeth. They’re bulky and an unnatural white. It’s not that they’re too white, it’s more like a uniform white, which isn’t how tooth color works. Now my presentation is even closer. Not only does it look bad, but they’re so bulky I have trouble talking. I’m going to look and sound like an idiot. Can I just get them taken off and go back to my normal teeth?
Allyson A. – Arkansas
Allyson,
I hear these cosmetic dentistry horror stories all the time and they always make me sad. All the time and money invested for something that is a disappointment, and in your case, detrimental. It sounds like your dentist is a caring family dentist, but doesn’t have enough cosmetic training to really do a smile makeover.
My guess is your dentist used Lumineers. They tend to be bulkier, especially when done by an inexperienced cosmetic dentist. In fact, they’re a brand of porcelain veneers often marketed to dentists without a lot of cosmetic skill as being easy to place. While, yes, they are easy to place, as you learned they are not easy to make beautiful.
Unfortunately, you can’t just remove porcelain veneers without replacing them. Your teeth will look unnatural and they are more susceptible to decay.
What you really need is to ask for a refund and then get them re-done by an expert cosmetic dentist. Ideally, you’ll want a dentist who has attained accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). These are the top cosmetic dentists in the world. You will get a gorgeous smile. That boost in confidence your dentist mentioned will become a reality. In fact, you may not ever want to stop smiling. But, it takes the right dentist. It’s worth it to drive to a nearby city or state if necessary to get an accredited dentist.
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