In May 2025, I had a smile makeover. I have a small mouth, a slight inward tilt to my front teeth, an overbite, and several missing back teeth. The dentist put crowns on my front teeth and placed five mini-implants to replace the missing teeth.

Since the treatment, I have been very unhappy with my smile. My front teeth are too large for my mouth, and my overbite is worse. When I smile, the teeth look unnatural and remind me of a goofy cartoon character. Other people have even asked whether I have dentures that were made too big for my mouth.

I spent $32,000 on this treatment and am very self-conscious about the results. I couldn’t address my concerns after the work was completed because I had a work assignment in another country. Now that I’m back in GA, what can I do to improve my smile? – Thanks. Kieron

Kieron,

A skilled cosmetic dentist may be able to correct your smile makeover, but it will likely require redoing some of the dental work. Although you recognize the extent of the cosmetic problems with your teeth, the next step is to consult a dentist with strong credentials and experience in complex cosmetic dentistry. Before choosing a cosmetic dentist, you should learn about cosmetic dentistry and carefully review the dentist’s credentials and before-and-after cases.

Can You Get a Partial Refund for a Failed Smile Makeover?

It may be possible to recover at least part of the cost, but much will depend on whether the problems are cosmetic, functional, or both. A new cosmetic dentist can examine the work and help determine whether there are objective problems with the treatment.

If the restorations are technically sound and function properly but your primary complaint is their appearance, obtaining a refund may be more challenging. However, a severely unacceptable cosmetic result could provide some basis for requesting compensation. You did not mention problems with the back teeth or mini-implants, so those may be functioning well. If the new dentist identifies functional or technical problems, you may have a stronger position when requesting a refund.

What Can You Do If the Dentist Will Not Offer a Refund?

Before requesting a refund, get an independent second opinion. An experienced cosmetic dentist can provide valuable information about the quality of the work and what needs to be corrected. That assessment can help you decide how to approach the original dentist.

Depending on the findings, possible options include:

• Asking the original dentist directly for a full or partial refund.
• Filing a complaint with the Georgia state dental board if the evaluation reveals concerns that fall within the board’s authority.
• Consulting an attorney if there is evidence that the treatment may warrant malpractice claim.
• Leaving an accurate online review describing the experience.

After you gather information on the corrections required for your smile makeover, it will be easier to determine how to approach the original dentist and ask for appropriate compensation for the work.

The Monroe, Louisiana, dentists at Bayou Dental Group sponsor this post. Please read how Dr. Finley and his team strive to offer the best dental care in Monroe.