I had six porcelain veneers placed. One of them is turning dark and I’m not sure why. My cosmetic dentist says it looks fine but how can it if it is darker than the rest of them? Do I have any recourse on this? It costs a thousand dollars just to get one redone.
Cassie
Dear Cassie,
I can understand your concern. Whether or not you have recourse depends on how long you’ve had the porcelain veneers. If they’re fairly new, then it is very likely you can get this fixed at no cost to you. If you’ve had them for a year or more, then you likely don’t have recourse.
Why Porcelain Veneers Might Turn Dark
One reason might be they are not actually porcelain. Some dentists will give a patient composite and call it porcelain. This is unethical. If you were told you were given porcelain veneers and they’re not, you can get them redone.
Another possibility is the bonding isn’t done properly. There could be things getting between your tooth and the porcelain veneer. If that is the case, you can also have it re-done at no cost to you. In fact, you will need to get it redone or else your teeth will develop decay from the things getting trapped there.
Get a Second Opinion from a True Cosmetic Dentist
I don’t have a ton of confidence in your current dentist. When a patient isn’t happy with their smile, a true cosmetic dentist will do everything to make sure they are. They certainly wouldn’t blow you off by saying it looked fine if you didn’t.
I want you to have an expert cosmetic dentist look at this. See if there is an AACD accredited dentist in your area. These are the top of the line cosmetic dentists in the country. They can tell you whether you have composite or porcelain. They can also tell you whether the bonding wasn’t properly done.
If either of those is the case, then you shouldn’t have too much trouble requiring your dentist to re-do it.
This blog is brought to you by Hilton Head Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Bonnie Rothwell.
