I have a question about my porcelain veneers. I’ve had veneers on all my front teeth for about 16 years and they have been great. I haven’t had any problems until a couple of weeks ago when one started to feel a little loose. I have moved since I had the porcelain veneers put on, so I went to a new cosmetic dentist. He told me I’m going to need a new porcelain veneer put on because he could see decay at the edges. I’m okay with that. The problem is he wants me to have all of my veneers replaced at the same time so they all match. I can’t afford to do them all at once. Do I really need to wait until I have the money to do them all or is it possible to just replace one and make it match?
Layne, Syracuse, NY
Dear Layne,
Cosmetic dentistry is a specialty in the dental field that isn’t technically recognized by the ADA, so there are dentists who call themselves a cosmetic dentist no matter what skills or experience they have. The inability to replace just one porcelain veneer doesn’t sound like an accredited cosmetic dentist because no, you don’t have to replace all of your porcelain veneers at one time to make them match. A good cosmetic dentist will work with a good ceramist and have the ability to match the coloration of your other teeth.
Replacing all of your porcelain veneers at one time is easier on a dentist, and your dentist may have seen something of concern with your other veneers and thought it was worth recommending. You have had your porcelain veneers a long time and if one is decaying, the others may start to decay as well. This is the same with those who have crowns. Typically they have to replace them at some point, as well.
Talk to your dentist and verify why it was suggested to have them all redone. If it was because the margins may have issues or if there are spots that are of concern, it may be worth considering having them all done, even if it is one at a time. But if the dentist is merely suggesting to replace them all because of aesthetics, you may want to get a second opinion from another cosmetic dentist. Request to see a portfolio of previous work the dentist has performed to be assured of the quality of his work.
You may like to read more about porcelain veneers.
This post is sponsored by Enfield dentist Dr. William Cummiskey at Generations Dental Care.
