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dentistry

Her Dentist told Her to Expect Her Porcelain Veneers to Fall Off!

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I just had six porcelain veneers placed on my teeth and, as I was leaving, the dentist told me to expect them to fall off every few months. I knew up front that I would no longer be able to eat crunchy foods, such as apples or nuts, but I really thought they’d stay on other than that. Do you know if I’m expected to pay for the rebonding every time?

Caitlin

Dear Caitlin,

a porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

I’m astounded at what I’m hearing! First, let me start off by saying that one of the problems you are facing has to do with the fact that cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty. This makes the standard of care a very low bar. It wouldn’t matter if they looked awful, as long as they were functional. That is actually the basis for a large number of cosmetic dentistry horror stories. They pay a fortune for a smile makeover and end up with a smile that looks worse.

The good news, though, is that your porcelain veneers falling off is NOT functional. It’s a basic standard of care. If your porcelain veneers fall off even once, go back and demand a refund. In fact, he should not have put eating restrictions on you at all. There are very few restrictions when it comes to porcelain veneers, such as not biting metal and wearing a nightguard if you are a teeth grinder. In your place, I’d go ahead and test the veneers by eating an apple the next time you feel like it. If they’re going to come off and need to be replaced (by a different dentist this time), it is better for you to know sooner rather than later. This way you can get a functional smile and not live in fear.

Finding an Expert Cosmetic Dentist

Without there being a recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry, any general dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist. Unfortunately, creating beautiful smile makeovers isn’t taught in general dental school. Instead, a dentist has to invest in a significant amount of post-doctoral training as well as have an artistic eye.

It’s almost impossible for patients to know which dentists have done this and are truly qualified and which haven’t, essentially turning your trip to the cosmetic dentist into a gamble. The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry recognized this issue. As a result, they started an accreditation program. To become AACD accredited, dentists have to pass stringent exams that prove their technical knowledge of the procedures. Additionally, they’re required to submit a large number of specific cases they’ve personally done to show they can not only implement their technical knowledge but have the artistry required to create beautiful smiles.

If I were getting a smile makeover, I’d want an AACD accredited dentist to do it. When your porcelain veneers fail, and it sounds like your dentist is sadly confident they will, that is what you should look for in the dentist that will replace them.

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

Dental Bonding Disaster- Help!

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I had my four front teeth bonded. One of my front teeth sticks out too far over the second one. One of the lateral teeth is too far back and the other one has a big chip. He said he could fix this, but it’s ended up a disaster. First, he ground down the front overlapping tooth, then he added bonding material to the lateral teeth to fill in the missing depth and fix the chip. However, he insisted on doing them yellowish, even though I wanted them white. Now I feel they look ugly, plus the one he ground down is sharp and painful. I know there is no going back, but can this be fixed? My dentist seems to think he did a great job.

Adabelle

Dear Adabelle,

woman giving a thumbs up from the dental chair

Getting a beautiful smile requires a skilled cosmetic dentist

Even though I don’t have a picture of your smile and can’t give you specifics of what was done incorrectly, I do know what the major problem is. Your dentist is likely a very good family dentist who did his absolute best for you, but he was in over his head. Maybe he could have pulled off a basic dental bonding case. Maybe. Those are difficult to begin with because they need to be done free-hand. Your case requires an even more advanced dentist because of the structural issues that need to be dealt with.

This would need a dentist in the top 1-2% of cosmetic dentists, which requires significant training outside of general dental school. They’d need training in color theory, polishing the bonding material, and shaping the teeth. Your dentist obviously didn’t have this. Plus, a true cosmetic dentist would never be satisfied if his patient wasn’t thrilled with the results.

What you need is an AACD accredited dentist. These are the top cosmetic dentists in the country. In order to become accredited, they have to pass stringent exams, as well as have a large number of specific cases they’ve personally done evaluated for technical proficiency, beauty, and artistry. You can locate them by going to the website of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Make sure you check you want an accredited or accredited fellow. Being a member isn’t enough.

Once You Have an Accredited Dentist

Once you’ve located an excellent cosmetic dentist in your area, you have two choices to get the smile you want.

Option 1: Re-do the Dental Bonding

Dental bonding is less expensive than the next option I’m going to make you aware of. When done by an expert cosmetic dentist it can blend in perfectly with your teeth, comfortably, with a natural translucency. If you want your bonding whiter than your adjacent teeth currently are, it will be in your best interest to whiten all of your teeth first. This will enable the dentist to blend the bonding material to your beautiful new white color.

Option 2: Get Porcelain Veneers

While these are more expensive than bonding, porcelain veneers can change anything about your smile— the shape, the size, the color, even the character. The other big benefit is they last much longer. Well taken care of porcelain veneers can last a lifetime. The dental bonding will have to be re-done every five years or so. Either one can be made beautifully.

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

Will These CEREC Veneers Look Good?

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I am going to a new dentist because of a job relocation. Before moving, I’d been saving up for porcelain veneers and now have the sufficient funds. However, my new dentist wants to do CEREC veneers which are 1.5mm thick. I’m worried that is too thick and he doesn’t have any before and after pictures to show me of cases he’s done in the past. My last dentist had something called a smile gallery. Should I be worried?

Elaine

Dear Elaine,

A woman smiling with a beauttiful smile

The most important factor in a smile makeover is the skill of the cosmetic dentist.

The materials and thickness of any smile makeover are not nearly as important as having the right cosmetic dentist do the work. Of course, a great dentist will choose the best materials, but it is their skill and artistry which matters. Doing smile makeovers are not taught in dental school. Instead, a dentist interested in doing cosmetic work must invest in post-doctoral training.

I’m a little concerned about the fact this dentist does not have any visual evidence for you. Any dentist who wants to be taken seriously as a cosmetic dentist will have what is known as a smile gallery. This should show before and after pictures of various cosmetic procedures which they have done.

Can CEREC Veneers be Beautiful?

You can get a beautiful smile with CEREC veneers as opposed to porcelain veneers, however, it is more challenging. I would say only about 1-2% of cosmetic dentists could do it well. Some dentists try to do this to save on fees with a ceramist which isn’t a great reason.

So how would you know if your dentist can pull this off before investing all your hard-earned (and saved) money? There are two great resources to tell you about skilled cosmetic dentists. The first is aacd.com. This is the website for the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. They offer an accreditation program. In order for dentists to get accredited, they have to pass stringent exams as well as provide visual evidence of their artistry with a large number of specific cases. AACD accredited dentists are in the top 1-2% of cosmetic dentists in the world. When you use their search feature, make sure you check the box for an accredited dentist.

Your second resource is mynewsmile.com. They don’t allow dentists to just pay to be listed. Instead, they check their educational qualifications for cosmetic work as well as require evidence of cases they’ve done to ensure they have an artistic eye. Many of their listed dentists are either accredited or on their way to accreditation. Any of them can create a beautiful smile for you.

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

Do I Have to See an Accredited Cosmetic Dentist?

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I’m thinking of getting a smile makeover and research says it is important to go to an accredited cosmetic dentist. There doesn’t seem to be any in my area. To get a beautiful smile, do I have to see an accredited dentist?

Mercy

Dear Mercy,

Brunette with a beautiful smile

AACD accredited dentists are in the top 1% in the country.

For a dentist to reach accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, they have to pass both technical and clinical exams. The technical exam is to ensure they have the requisite knowledge to do the job skillfully. The clinical exams show they also have the artistry to create stunning smiles.

AACD accredited dentists are in the top 1% of cosmetic dentists in the country. However, there is no regulation to compel a dentist to seek accreditation in order to provide cosmetic work. In fact, there are no regulations necessary for a dentist to call him (or her)self a cosmetic dentist.

Getting a Beautiful Smile Makeover

While you don’t have to see an AACD accredited dentist to get a beautiful smile makeover, you do have to make sure the dentist has the expertise to do the work properly and with artistry. If you don’t have an accredited dentist in your area, you still have an additional resource where you can trust the dentists to know what they’re doing.

The mynewsmile.com website also screens cosmetic dentists. They won’t list them unless they have done post-doctoral studies in smile makeovers at a reputable institution and provided visual evidence of their artistic abilities. Some of these dentists are accredited. Some are on their way to accreditation. Some aren’t interested in going through the process. All of them can give you a stunning smile.

You may already know that the top of the line procedure for a smile makeover is to get porcelain veneers. It is not recommended to place them over dental crowns, so if you have those on any teeth, you will still have to have a crown. A good cosmetic dentist is skilled enough to match your crowns to your veneers. If they’re on visible teeth, they will give you an all-porcelain crown. Those are more natural-looking.

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

Which Brand of Porcelain Veneers

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I’m going to be getting a smile makeover and am trying to decide between brands. I can’t decide if I should get Lumineers or the regular porcelain veneers. I hear with the regular ones you have to get your teeth shaved down. I’m not sure I like that idea. But, Lumineers have mixed reviews. Do you have a recommendation?

Kaleigh H.

Dear Kaleigh,

a single porcelain veneer being placed

Congrats on the fact that you’re getting a new smile. It’s an exciting time filled with possibilities. You will love the confidence it brings. While it is great that you’re doing research, you are asking the wrong question. While brands of porcelain veneers have different qualities, the biggest difference comes from the skill and artistry of the dentist.

A Tale of Two Dentists

You could have two dentists work on the same smile using the same material and they will end up with completely different results. One may create a stunning smile. The other, an average one… or worse.

There are way too many cosmetic dentistry horror stories. We’ve had quite a few people come to our office hoping we could fix the damage done by their cosmetic dentist. You don’t want to invest money in a smile makeover you end up disappointed in. Cosmetic Dentistry is an art form and requires an artist to bring you beautiful results.

Finding a Great Cosmetic Dentist

When it comes to getting a stunning smile, you want to make sure you find the right dentist. Be sure to check out their smile gallery. This is usually a page on their website which shows examples of cases they’ve done. Always ask if it is their actual work or if they are showing stock photos instead.

If you like their work, then you can check their reviews to see what type of experiences other patinets have had with them. Additionally, you want to make sure they are willing to stand behind their work with some form of a beautiful smile guarantee.

You’ll find the best dentists are accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, as Dr. Weiss is. AACD Accredited Dentists are in the top 1% of cosmetic dentists in the country.

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

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