I had porcelain veneers put on my teeth to cover my tetracycline stains. I’d actually gone to another dentist to have it done quite a few years ago. One of them has recently broken horizontally. I went to see my dentist and he fixed it with some glue, but it looks like an obvious fix and feels uncomfortable on my upper lip. He’s said it will be a couple of weeks before we he can get to my temporary crown. I was hoping to get this fixed faster, but he said it isn’t a dental emergency. Do you recommend I try to get in to see someone sooner or will everyone make me wait?

Stephanie

Dear Stephanie,

There are a couple of issues here. While this situation isn’t your typical dental emergency, like an infected tooth, most cosmetic dentists would understand the importance of an aesthetic emergency. A second issue is his idea of giving you a dental crown. Why? Is something wrong with the tooth where it needs a crown? If not, then that would be a major overtreatment and completely unnecessary.

This can be repaired with another porcelain veneer. My guess is that your dentist does not have the training or skill to do porcelain veneers. They are an advanced cosmetic procedure. Instead of telling you that he is out of his depth and recommending a skilled cosmetic dentist, he is steering your toward a procedure that he is comfortable with. Every dentist knows how to do porcelain crowns.

My suggestion is that you go back to the original dentist who did your veneers and have him make you another one. If he is retired, then I would look for another cosmetic dentist in town who has training in porcelain veneers. Just make sure that they show you some examples of their work. They should have a smile gallery of cases they have done. If the results aren’t beautiful, then look for a different dentist.

This blog is brought to you by Gilbert Dentist Dr. Matt Roper.