I received an inheritance that I used to get a smile makeover about a month ago. I always had short teeth and they looked a little crooked. Now they’re longer and look bright and straight. I truly love them. However, I went to the best cosmetic dentist I could find for the procedure. The only problem I have is there is a horizontal crack that I can feel about a 1/5 of the way up. Do you think they’ll repair this or blame me for it? I can promise I have taken very good care of them. I don’t really have much money under normal circumstances. That inheritance was a one-off. This isn’t the kind of dentist I can normally afford.

Cara

Dear Cara,

I’m glad you love your porcelain veneers and that you knew enough to go to an expert cosmetic dentist. Too many people just go to the family dentist on the corner and end up with disastrous results.

Under most circumstances, even a cracked porcelain veneer will stay secure when it is properly bonded on. The thing that worries me about yours is it sounds like it is near the incisal edge of your tooth. There may not be much of anything keeping it on. I would simply call the dentist who did your smile makeover and have them look at it. It sounds like they will need to replace that one porcelain veneer. I don’t think they will blame you. It sounds more like there was a manufacturer’s defect.

I do not think you will need to worry about them blaming you. Most great cosmetic dentists know that patients take great care of their smile makeovers when they are thrilled with the results. They are also used to patients coming to them for smile makeovers but not being able to stay with them as patients for general dental care.

Some cosmetic dentists have patients who travel from other countries to do their smile makeovers. They certainly don’t expect them to keep coming back. I would simply explain to them your financial circumstances and that you love the cosmetic work they did for you but cannot afford their fees on a regular basis. They will understand.

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