Dr. Hall,
I needed to have 4 crowns on my top teeth replaced because of staining. My dentist recommended replacing them with porcelain crowns and also strongly suggested that I also get 6 veneers, 3 on either side of the 4 crowns to broaden my narrow smile. I was hesitant but he talked to me for a long time and told me how great the new veneers would look and completely change my smile. I agreed to go forward. Well, I had all the work done on Tuesday and started having pain on Thursday. I was going back for a follow-up visit on Friday so I didn’t think much of it. After about an hour of working on my mouth, the dentist told me that the reason for my pain was because a veneer came loose because of my grinding. He made me a bite plate to wear but then he broke the bad news to me. He said that because of my bite, I will probably have to remove the veneers and have all six of those teeth crowned!! I am in shock. I don’t know what to do. Tonight while eating a pizza, one of the veneers fell off. What is happening? Do you think I should see another dentist for a second opinion?
– Geri in Florida
Dear Geri,
It may be good to get a second opinion before you go any further. It’s possible that your dentist is right, but there are so many dentists out there who think they understand cosmetic dentistry and porcelain veneers, and they don’t. And if you are having a porcelain veneer fall off, then I am suspicious that this dentist really isn’t an expert cosmetic dentist. And if he now spots a problem in your bite, but he didn’t see that before he started, then that also makes me suspicious that he is in over his head. Like I said, maybe he’s right. But I’d recommend getting another opinion from someone you know is an expert cosmetic dentist.
My guess is that only 2% of the dentists who claim to be cosmetic dentists are really what I would call expert cosmetic dentists. This is really a very specialized field that requires a lot of post-graduate education, and so many dentists try to get into this because it is a profitable area and kind of fun to do, but they don’t know what they’re doing.
Generally, you can still wear porcelain veneers even if you grind your teeth–but not always. But you would chip and crack the veneers. When one just falls off, that seems to indicate a failure of the bonding technique. I doubt that is from your grinding your teeth.
You have several excellent Florida cosmetic dentists near where you live, that we list on our web site, and they all I’m sure would be able to help you see if you are being taken care of properly.
– Dr. Hall
Related information:
Smile design
Wear a nightguard if you have porcelain veneers and tend to grind your teeth
More information about teeth grinding and other TMJ problems
About David A. Hall
Dr. David A. Hall was one of the first 40 accredited cosmetic dentists in the world. He practiced cosmetic dentistry in Iowa, and in 1990 earned his accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is now president of Infinity Dental Web, a company in Mesa, Arizona that does advanced internet marketing for dentists.
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