I am frustrated. I had a smile makeover done with porcelain veneers and it has been a disaster. First, he ground down my teeth to little nubs. I guess that would be okay if the stupid veneers would stay on. I should have known there would be a problem when the temporary veneers didn’t stay on. However, he told me the permanent ones would be more secure. I believed him. Unfortunately, it seems like every week there is another one popping off and I am left with a little nub for a tooth. She puts them back on but I keep having to go back in and they pop off at the most embarrassing times. Last week she blamed my teeth grinding, but I wear a night guard for that. Two of them fell out while I was eating a strawberry at my son’s class holiday party. I was told these would last for twenty years, but does that mean they will keep popping off every week? We are moving in a couple of months and I’m afraid it will cost me a fortune to get these put back on every week at my new location. Additionally, I have one other question, When I went for the placement appointment, she gave me a pill called Ativan that sort of knocked me out. I don’t remember anything from that day and my husband had to miss work because he was afraid to leave me home alone. Is this normal or is something seriously wrong as I suspect it is? Oh, and there is also this horrible smell right before one pops off.
Laurie
Dear Laurie,
I am so sorry this happened to you. A smile makeover should be an experience that brings joy and yours has been a nightmare. I am going to be blunt and tell you that your dentist has committed malpractice. you have some serious recourse. There are three major things wrong with your case.
Problem One: Porcelain Veneers Versus Porcelain Crowns
First, she did not give you porcelain veneers. Instead, she called them veneers and did porcelain crowns. Here is how I know that. Look at the picture directly above. That is what porcelain veneer preparation looks like. It is just a minimal amount of tooth structure removed. This is because the veneers only cover the front of the tooth and hug the sides just a smidge.
Now I want you to look at the image below. This is what you are describing and it is the tooth preparation for a dental crown. One way to know for certain is whether it goes around to the back of your tooth. I crown surrounds the whole tooth. Even then, I think your dentist was too aggressive even for porcelain crowns.
Because she misrepresented what she provided for you, you will always be stuck with needing porcelain crowns instead of porcelain veneers because she removed so much tooth structure. There should be some compensation for this.
Problem Two: No Crown Retention
While many dentists do not know how to do porcelain veneers because it is an advanced cosmetic procedure, dental crowns are a basic procedure and the bread and butter of dentistry. She should not have graduated dental school without having learned how to properly retain dental crowns. In fact, when the teeth are properly prepared, you won’t even need bonding to keep them in for the short term.
She has done everything about this wrong. In fact, that smell you are getting right before they pop off, means that she has done this so incorrectly that saliva and bacteria are getting in there. This is dangerous for the health of your teeth because that bacteria will cause decay and you will end up with a tooth infection that could turn into a dental emergency.
Problem Three: The Dental Sedation
I’m curious about this dental sedation she gave you. Did you ask for sedation? You didn’t mention having dental anxiety. However, most of the time if you do, for a simple procedure like this just some simple nitrous oxide would have been enough. Let’s say for argument’s sake, though that you needed oral conscious sedation. Ativan is the wrong choice. It has a half-life of 24 hours and keeps you out for more than is necessary given the procedure. Dentists will typically use triazolam, which has a half-life of just three hours. This would have allowed you to be lucid much sooner.
What To Do Now
I want you to find a great cosmetic dentist in the new area you are moving to. Look for someone who is AACD accredited. Not just a member– accredited. These are the best cosmetic dentists in the country. Then, have him or her help you fight this dentist. It is malpractice for certain and her malpractice insurance should cover the complete cost of getting this fixed with a skilled cosmetic dentist.
I am sorry this happened to you.
This blog is brought to you by Des Moines Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Phelan Thomas.