cosmetic dentistry horror stories Archives

Smile Makeover Disaster

Posted on May 15, 2021 by writeradmin.

I need some serious advice. I went to my dentist with the intent of having my cleaning done and then getting a recommendation for an orthodontist. My four upper front teeth are crooked. He said he could make them straight with cosmetic dentistry and I would not have to worry about the inconvenience of braces. That sounded great to me so I agreed. He told me that two porcelain veneers and dental bonding would make my smile look completely straight. I was excited about the possibility of having a beautiful smile. When the makeover was “completed”, it wasn’t anything like he promised. The teeth are still uneven, the porcelain veneer is too small and you can see a gap between the veneer and my gums. He also charged me for reshaping my lower teeth which was never even discussed. I was quite upset and told him this wasn’t the outcome I expected. Then, he proceeded to tell me the only way to get the outcome I want is with four dental crowns. Of course, that will be an additional fee. Is this allowed? Can he get away with it?

Fanny

Dear Fanny,

No. Your dentist cannot get away with this. I would go back to him and ask for a refund. If he says no, remind him that he was the one who told you what this outcome would be and he didn’t deliver on his promise. On top of that, the porcelain veneer he provided for you has an open margin (what dentists call that gap you described). Open margins put your teeth at risk because it allows food and other bacteria to get caught between your teeth and the veneers, leading to decay. A second issue that can get him in big trouble is reshaping your bottom teeth without your permission. It sounds like this dentist was using you for practice. Let him know you will be taking this issue to the dental board and I think he will provide your refund.

Once you have secured your refund, you will want to get the smile makeover you wanted. Believe it or not, it is probably still possible to do with porcelain veneers. You just need a skilled cosmetic dentist to do the work. I would look for a dentist who is recommended on the mynewsmile.com website. Dentists cannot pay to be listed on this site. Instead, they are screened for both their technical skill as well as their artistry. Any dentist recommended on there will give you a stunning smile.

I will say, if you are planning on just getting four porcelain veneers (and it is okay if you are) then I suggest you have teeth whitening done first. Most patients smiles are six to ten teeth wide. Getting your teeth whitened allows you to have your non-veneered teeth blend in better than if you left them their current tone.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

smile makeover disaster

Posted on October 30, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’m very frustrated and disappointed. I spent a lot of money getting eight porcelain veneers. The first set came back bulky and too yellow so I asked him to send them back. When the next pair came back he said he wanted to bond them on so I could see them in my mouth and they could make adjustments afterward, if necessary. When he bonded them on, they were still not what I wanted, but it turned out they weren’t really able to make adjustments to them. He suggested I give it a few weeks and he was sure I’d love them after I got used to the change. I didn’t. I’ve called several times trying to get a refund but can’t seem to get a call back from him. What do you recommend I do?

Olivia

Dear Olivia,

porcelain veneer being held up by dental tool

I’m sorry this happened to you. It is unfortunate that doing a smile makeover isn’t taught in dental school. A dentist has to invest time in post-doctoral training to truly learn how to do cosmetic dentistry well. Even then, every dentist has to muddle through their first procedures with porcelain veneers.

Most dentists aren’t proud of their beginning cases, however, those who truly care about the work they do, will re-do it until they are proud of it. It doesn’t sound like your dentist is going to be one of those type of dentists.

He tried, you didn’t like it, so instead of trying until it is right he’s going to ignore you, likely in the hopes you’ll just give up.

What to Do With a Smile Makeover Disaster

In your place, I’d go to a an expert cosmetic dentist and try to get them on your side. If they agree the porcelain veneers aren’t well done, they could help persuade the original dentist to give you a refund.

The one thing you do have going for you is he mislead you about the adjustments. Unfortunately, though, without proof, you won’t have much legal leverage unless the veneers are not structurally sound.

To find a good cosmetic dentist to help you, I suggest you go to the mynewsmile.com website and see who they recommend. They pre-screen cosmetic dentists for their artistic skills and technical training, so anyone on their list will have the expertise to both evaluate your case as well as provide you a beautiful smile makeover the second time around.

I hope this helps.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

Protecting Lumineers

Posted on August 9, 2019 by writeradmin.

I’m considering getting a smile makeover with Lumineers. Can you tell me how hard they are to take care of?

Marilyn

Dear Marilyn,

Advertisement with Lumineers including a woman smiling and a single veneer being held by a tool

It’s great that you’re getting a smile makeover. However, I want to caution you against choosing the brand. Instead, you should carefully choose the dentist and let them choose the brand.

While some dentists place Lumineers. Others prefer different brands. What you want is an expert cosmetic dentist who knows the pros and cons of each brand and can create a stunning smile for you.

Caring For Your Lumineers

Whatever brand of porcelain veneers you get, there are things that are important for you to know to keep them in great shape.

Make sure your hygienist understands cosmetic dentistry: Not all hygienists are familiar with cosmetic work. It is important during your checkup and cleanings that your hygienist doesn’t use anything like a Prophy Jet or acidulated fluoride. Either one of these will damage the glazing and cause your veneers to pick up stains.
Keep up with your home care: Being stain-resistant doesn’t mean you can get away with not taking care of your teeth. You’ll have to brush regularly as well as floss. Some dentists recommend you use Supersmile toothpaste, which is specifically designed for cosmetic work.
Protect your teeth from grinding: If you grind your teeth, you’ll want to make sure you get a night guard. Consistent grinding can cause your veneers (and natural teeth) to chip. A night guard protects them.

Finding that Expert Cosmetic Dentist

Cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty. Because of that, any dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist regardless of their skill level. There are countless cosmetic dentistry horror stories by patients who’ve thought they were getting a gorgeous smile with a qualified cosmetic dentist only to leave heartbroken and disappointed with the results.

Because of that, Dr. Hall, who runs the mynewsmile.com website, decided to make a recommended list of skilled cosmetic dentists. He screens them for both technical training as well as their artistry. Anyone he recommends can give you a gorgeous smile you’ll be thrilled to share with the world.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

another dental tourism disaster story

Posted on June 27, 2019 by writeradmin.

Woman covering her mouth — If you want a beautiful smile, don’t leave the country.

It is sad to hear heartbreaking stories from patients who traveled out of the country in order to get what they thought was an affordable smile makeover only to have their teeth and even their bite destroyed with absolutely zero recourse.

One such story was on the My New Smile Blog. A woman had traveled to Costa Rica thinking she’d be saving a large amount of money. Instead, she was left with a disastrous smile makeover and severe damage to her bite which has her in so much pain she can barely eat.

The price tag to fix this will be over $30,000. Money she doesn’t have. When she hired an attorney in Costa Rica and had other Costa Rican dentists to tesitify that her bite was destroyed by this dentist, the only place where she could get legal recourse there told her she was the felon because it is illegal there to complain publicly about a dentist until he’s been convicted.

She ended up having to flee the country without any recourse. While the dentist in questions website looked professional, there were red flags. Unfortunately, only a dentist would have recognized those.

Avoiding Cosmetic Dental Horror Stories

Truthfully, it is safer, as well as more affordable, in the long run to save up your money and go to a reputable cosmetic dentist here in the United States.

That doesn’t mean any U.S. cosmetic dentist will do. You’ll want one with both expertise and artistry who has invested time and training AFTER dental school in doing smile makeovers. Make sure you check out the porcelain veneers they’ve done on their patients as well.

It’s hard for patients to know who is qualified and who isn’t, especially since there isn’t a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry.

If you want a great smile makeover. Go to the mynewsmile.com website and click on their link for finding a cosmetic dentist. They have prescreened dentists who wish to be listed for both their technical skill and artistry. Any of the recommended dentists on their site can give you a stunning smile makeover.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.