Veneer
Added: September 27, 2005 - 12:20 PM
By: Patient Email Withheld, Oakland, CA
Need Dentist / Specialist:
Yes
Provide Cost Estimate:
Yes
X-rays Available:
Yes
Case Summary
Porcelain Veneers / Crowns
Teeth:
Last Full Mouth X-Ray: September 2005
Last Cleaning: September 2005
Case Description
I had four front tooth veneers done in March 2003 (two top, two bottom - cost around $3000) In 2004 one of the top front veneers popped off 4 times. I took time from work and in one instance, cancelled a business trip, to go into the dentist to have it fixed.
This year, one bottom veneer has come off and now the dentist is changing $100 to recement it. As this continues to happen, I am worried that at $100 per recement, this is becoming excessively costly.
Shouldn't the dentist have told me that after paying $3000 for veneers, I might also end up paying $100 for each time it comes off and it may come off X4 yearly?
I would have definitely decided against paying the original out of pocket expense if this had been disclosed.
What is usual to expect, as far as veneers coming off? I watch what I eat carefully, use a night guard and am very careful with those teeth.
Thank you.
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Reply: Veneer
added: September 28, 2005 - 7:09 AM
Cost Estimate: $6,000+
Porcelain veneers are some of the longest lasting restorations in dentistry. But they are also some of the most technique sensitive. Proper postgraduate training is required to get the right results--esthetically and functionally. When veneers come off, it is usually due to a failure in the bonding technique or a traumatic bite situation that may need to be addressed first. With regard to the fees you paid, they were very low. The dentists who are doing these procedures on a regular basis outside the influence of the insurance industry are charging in the neighborhood of $1,500 per veneer, but it is common to get a 5 year warranty if the bite situation has been addressed. My advice to you is to schedule an appointment with your dentist to just talk. Ask the dentist what the problem is. Ask if you have a traumatic bite and if your bite is a problem, seek out a dentist who is an expert in bite problems. Ask if this is simply a bonding failure and if it is, you may wish to seek out a dentist with expertise in bonding. Whenever you have a procedure done, find out what the dentist's experience is in that procedure. Ask to see photographs of that dentist's actual work. As you found out, even a procedure done at half price can seem very expensive when it comes to actual value. On behalf of all dentists, I'm very sorry that you have had so much difficulty with this.
Reply: Veneer
added: September 28, 2005 - 11:21 PM
Cost Estimate: $
No Estimate at this time. Additional information required.
Sorry to hear of your troubles with the veneers. Without seeing the actual situation, I would guess that it is a bite issue--probably not your up-and-down bite but more likely your side-to-side or back-to-front bite. Another possibility is a bonding issue, but I would expect that after a few de-bonds that the dentist would take extra care to achieve the optimum bond. With careful eating and nightguard use, we would not ordinarily expect veneers to come off on a frequent basis unless there is an occlusal (bite) issue. So, I would recommend that you have the occlusion examined on your front teeth to determine if there are any interferences that are causing the veneers to loosen. Hope this helps.Eric Yabu, DDS
Reply: Veneer
added: September 30, 2005 - 12:09 AM
Cost Estimate: $
No Estimate at this time. Additional information required.
Dear Sir/ Madame:It sounds very frustrating to have the veneer come off- never mind having to pay the 100 dollars. There is really no norm for charging on recementation of recently fabricated veneers. It is really up to the dentist's discretion, and he / she may base it on the reason the veneers are coming off. It is best that you discuss it with your dentist I'm sure he/ she will be glad to explain the reason for the charges and especially why they've come off, and how to prevent that. Sometimes it is only by trial that you will disover that veneers are not be the best option for certain teeth.Regards,
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