In March 2025, I had porcelain veneers placed by a dentist in another state, and I’m very unhappy with the outcome. The dentist never offered a try-in, and once the veneers were bonded, they felt and looked too long and bulky. I told my dentist that my teeth were oversized, but he disagreed. After placement, I couldn’t bite properly, so he adjusted my bite multiple times.
Despite those adjustments, I began waking up at night in pain because my upper and lower teeth were hitting so forcefully. Shortly after the veneers were placed, I moved across the country and no longer live near that dentist. In my new state, I saw three different dentists. All three told me I have minimal function, and each commented that they had never seen veneers made this thick. I am now moving forward with one of them to have the veneers redone.
The constant hitting between my upper and lower teeth also led to a root canal on one tooth. Given these issues, I feel justified in requesting a refund from the original dentist. Because I’m so upset and don’t feel comfortable speaking with him by phone, I’m wondering whether it would be appropriate to send a certified letter requesting a refund. – Thanks. Spencer from SD
Spencer,
Porcelain veneer
There are two main ways patients pursue dental refunds. The first is a courteous request that appeals to the dentist’s sense of responsibility. This works best when communication stays calm and professional, and sometimes another dentist’s opinion can support the request. Because you’re understandably upset and don’t want to contact further, this approach likely isn’t a good fit—and sending a certified letter rarely helps in this scenario.
The second option is a refund demand, which requires meaningful leverage. That leverage usually takes the form of a credible complaint or legal concern. Since you now live in a different state, dental board complaints become more complicated. A malpractice claim is only worth considering if another dentist can clearly document that defective veneer work caused additional treatment, such as a root canal. Without that connection, your position remains weak.
Why Choosing the Right Cosmetic Dentist Matters
At this stage, the most productive step is focusing on correction rather than confrontation. Smile makeovers require a specific skill set, and not all dentists provide cosmetic-level results. If you selected the original dentist without reviewing cosmetic cases or credentials, that may explain part of what went wrong.
Before moving forward, be sure the dentist you choose can consistently produce natural-looking veneers. If the issue is purely cosmetic dissatisfaction, that alone doesn’t create legal grounds for a refund. However, selecting a dentist with demonstrated cosmetic expertise can finally give you the result you were hoping for.
The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read how Dr. Finley and his team strive to offer some of the best dental care in Monroe.
