After wearing temporary veneers for a week, I received my permanent veneers in early August. Within two weeks, an upper right veneer fell off. I called my dentist’s office, and he had me come in right away to bond on the veneer. Since that time, at least one veneer falls off every two to three weeks.
My dentist’s only explanation is that sometimes veneers fall out. He hasn’t explained why this is happening 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 that 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. Justino from TX
Justino,
It is not normal for veneers to fall off. They shouldn’t fall off at all and certainly not every two to three weeks. We are sorry to hear about your dental experience. Although Dr. Tostado would need to examine your porcelain veneers and teeth, we will offer some insight based on what you’ve described.
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 tooth enamel from the front of each tooth.
- Crown preparation – Preparation for porcelain crowns is aggressive, as you see with your teeth. Some dentists grind down each tooth that needs a crown to ensure the crown fits over it. But aggressive preparation that reduces your tooth to a stub isn’t necessary.
- It seems that 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 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?
Before-and-after porcelain veneers photos placed by Dr. Gilbert Tostado
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 the issues with them. Use the information to pursue a refund from the dentist who prepared your teeth for porcelain veneers. Ask your new cosmetic dentist if they are willing to help you get a refund. Your current dentist’s malpractice insurance should cover whatever your new dentist must do to restore your teeth.
San Antonio dentist Dr. Gilberto Tostado sponsors this post.