Hi Dr. Hall,
Well, I found this website after my cosmetic dentisty horror :(. I wish I had found this before I got my procedure done. Here goes. I had my 6 anterior teeth prepped for veneers. While my old teeth were not bad, I just wanted a subtle enhancement so my dentist recommended veneers. She told me she was a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentisry. I believed her. I have severe recession on my teeth. When she prepped me, she prepped all the way into my recession area and I look horrible. My teeth look so long. When I went to get the veneers put on, they bulked out from the recession area so I told her I did not want them cemented in my teeth. She got upset with me and told me that I would have to pay the $2000 lab fee for them to be redone. She put temporaries on my teeth and now they are far in the front where I cannot feel my bite anymore. So I went to your website and found some Cosmetic Dentists to get a second opinion. All of them are willing to help me. I have been in temps for 6 weeks. My dentist took off .5mm of my teeth and that’s all I really want back at this point, plus my old shape, and my gaps! Is this possible? I don’t even want a cosmetic look anymore. I just want my “old look” restored. This situation has devistated me and I cry every night. Please give me some advice.
Adrian in California
Adrian,
You’re lucky to have caught this before the porcelain veneers you dislike were bonded onto your teeth.
I doubt that this dentist lied in stating that she was a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. The problem is that any dentist can join this academy, and it is no indication of anyone’s ability. We list a number of cosmetic dentists in your area. All of them are excellent cosmetic dentists. We check their educational credentials and they have to demonstrate their ability with photographs of their work. With my experience, I can tell pretty quickly from their photographs whether or not they know cosmetic dentistry.
With the help of a local cosmetic dentist who actually can see your situation, you may be able to negotiate some kind of refund. You can always have your original look restored. But I wouldn’t give up on your hope of a beautiful smile. In the hands of one of these true artists, they can create real beauty for you. Pay one of them a visit and let them show you what they can do.
Dr. Hall
Other links:
Click here for referral to a cosmetic dentist.
Response:
Oh my gosh Dr. Hall, thank you so much! I am actually seeing Dr. (one of the cosmetic dentists we list in California) today! You’re advice is much appreciated!
– Adrian
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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