After wearing temporary veneers for a week, I received my permanent veneers. Within two weeks, an upper right veneer fell off. I called my dentist’s office, and he asked me to come in right away to bond on the veneer. Since then, at least one veneer has fallen off every two to three weeks.
My dentist’s only explanation is that sometimes veneers fall out. He hasn’t explained why this happens so frequently. I’m uncomfortable at work because I’m afraid that a veneer will fall off while I’m talking or in an inconvenient situation. And when a veneer does fall off, I can see my naked tooth looks like a small spike but not as pointy. Before I agreed to porcelain veneers, my dentist told me they would last at least 20 years. Am I going to need crowns instead? Thank you. Austin from TN
Austin,
It is not normal for veneers to fall off. They shouldn’t fall off at all, certainly not every two to three weeks. We are sorry to hear about your dental experience. Although a cosmetic dentist needs to examine your porcelain veneers and teeth, we will offer some insight based on your description.
Your dentist prepared your teeth for crowns instead of veneers
When a dentist prepares your teeth for porcelain veneers, they remove a half millimeter or less of tooth enamel from the front of each tooth.
- Crown preparation—As you see with your teeth, Preparation for porcelain crowns is aggressive. Some dentists grind down each tooth that needs a crown to ensure the crown fits over the kit. But aggressive preparation that reduces your tooth to a stub isn’t necessary.
- It seems your dentist prepared your teeth aggressively as if preparing them for dental crowns. Now your porcelain veneers won’t stay on.
- Porcelain veneer preparation – When a dentist prepares your teeth correctly, a crown can stay on with dental cement. But if your tooth is reduced to a stub, it increases the risk of your crown falling off.
Your dentist violated the standard of care because she prepared your teeth for porcelain veneers even more aggressively than a skilled cosmetic dentist would prepare them for dental crowns. Loose veneers allow saliva and bacteria in and promote decay. Your dentist is liable for the damage to your teeth.
What’s Next?
We recommend that you find a skilled cosmetic dentist to restore your smile. Allow the dentist to examine and x-ray your teeth and document their condition. Use the information to pursue a refund from the dentist who prepared your teeth for porcelain veneers. Ask your new cosmetic dentist if they will help you get a refund. Your current dentist’s malpractice insurance should cover whatever your new dentist must do to restore your teeth.
David Finley, DDS, a Monroe, Louisiana, accredited cosmetic dentist and Academy of General Dentistry Fellow, sponsors this post. Read about what Dr. Finley and his team do to provide some of the best dental care in Monroe.
