My porcelain veneers are too shiny. Is too late?

My porcelain veneers are so shiny that I think they make my teeth look fake. The shine is so obvious in my pictures. My dentist thinks it looks fine and brushes off my requests to reduce the shine. Is there a way to minimize it? I will do it even if I must switch dentists. Thanks. Drew from Oregon

Drew,

Shine and texture of the surface of your teeth are essential aspects of a smile makeover. But both aspects must be well-balanced. And even more essential is that you—the patient—like your smile. Otherwise, your new smile can decrease your confidence or embarrass you.

Properties of Porcelain and the Glisten of Your Smile

Porcelain has a natural sparkle that makes it look real. But for it to look natural on your teeth, a dental ceramist must add texture. Natural teeth have varied textures, and as we age and our teeth wear, texture decreases. A dental ceramist works closely with your dentist to design porcelain veneers. Your description sounds like your veneers are flat, lacking texture. And that can make them look fake.

The photo to the right is an example of texture with dental ceramics. When you look at the patient’s teeth, the surface is shiny but irregular. The teeth sparkle naturally.

What to Do If Your Veneers Are Too Shiny

If your veneers are too shiny, they lack texture. The issue is not uncommon for people who receive veneers from their family or general dentist. But advanced cosmetic dentists know how to add texture to the surface of your veneers.

Dentists with training in aesthetics agree that they are successful when a patient loves their new smile. And cosmetic dentists don’t bond on porcelain veneers until you are confident about your smile makeover. If you’re hesitant, the dentist will ask questions to understand what you don’t like. They will either make the corrections or send your porcelain veneers back to the lab to get it right. It seems that your dentist lacks that level of concern, Drew.

Reducing the shine in porcelain veneers

• Working with your current dentist – You can speak with your dentist again about your disappointment and ask him to remake your veneers. You invested in a smile makeover and should get what you want. If your dentist agrees, let him know that you must see your new veneers on with a try-in paste before he bonds them to your teeth.
• If you must find a new dentist – If your dentist is uncooperative, you can ask for a refund. And then, your priority is to find a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training. Your new dentist might be willing to contact your current dentist and help you get a refund.

Best wishes for getting the smile you want.

 

Brian LeSage, DDS, FAGD, FAACD, of Beverly Hills, sponsors this post.