Dr. Hall,
Do you have any tips on trying to get at least a partial refund from a dentist that put 8 Lumineers in less than 6 months ago and I’m now having them replaced by a cosmetic dentist? I signed some things that are going to put me at a disadvantage. The dentist that did these is right out of school.
I just wish I had seen your web site BEFORE I allowed this dentist to convince me she was an expert on doing these. I became concerned when she had trouble getting the first ones on. I went home and the front tooth Lumineer fell off. Now one has cracked and then fell off in less than six months. I had to hide in my house for eight days waiting for the replacement. So I finally decided I had to find a cosmetic dentist. I was scared to have her do anymore.
So I’m doing all 8 over again. My gums had to be lasered because the poor placement caused inflammation. Sounds like I will have a much better mouth, but at double the expense almost.
– Norma in Virginia
Norma,
There’s a possibility you might be able to get some or all of your money back, since a couple of the Lumineer porcelain veneers fell off and then one cracked and they caused gum inflammation. If it were just that you didn’t like how they looked, you’d be in a weak position, because the legal standard of protection for cosmetic dentistry is pretty low. There are too many dentists who will say that the work is fine if it just functions well, regardless of whether or not it looks beautiful, so looking crummy doesn’t get you anywhere in the legal system. But if they fall off and crack, and they’re contributing to gum disease, then you may have a case. I don’t know if you’ve asked nicely at this point, or what you’ve discussed with this dentist. But what you’ll probably have to do is threaten to sue and see if that softens her position.
It will help if the new dentist will back you up and will be willing to say that the first job wasn’t up to standards. But many dentists are reluctant to do that with another dentist in their community, since it doesn’t help make friends. And be sure you have good photos of the poor work.
– Dr. Hall
We thank our advertisers who help fund this site. Our cosmetic dentist referral pages list cosmetic dentists we recommend. |
|
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.
Leave a Reply