Before I got porcelain veneers, I wanted a super white smile. I spoke with 4 cosmetic dentists before choosing one. We spent a lot of time looking at different shades, and the one I picked is not the one I received. I told my dentist the veneers were too white, but she said that shades of white look different in different lighting, which I accepted. I even wore the veneers for a week to ensure they were perfect. I finally got them, and they are too white. I know it sounds like I must have missed something, but it probably was my fault for accepting them at the try-in.
Now that I’ve had the veneers for two months, I am sure they are too white regardless of the lighting. My dentist bonded them onto my teeth which makes it all even worse. I asked my dentist to darken the veneers, but she said it would not work. I think she doesn’t want to do it. How much does it cost to get my veneers darkened? I am willing to pay another dentist to get it done. Thanks. Melina – Springfield, IL
Melina,
Thank you for contacting Cornerstone Dentistry.
Can You Darken Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain is colorfast, so a dentist cannot darken or liken them. If you want a color change to your veneers, a dentist must make changes before finalizing them. Even if you tried on your porcelain veneers and did not like the color, your dentist would need to ask the lab to remake them. The lab could not change the color after making your smile makeover in porcelain. While you are wearing temporary veneers, that is the best time for your dentist to communicate with a dental ceramist to lighten or darken the color of the final veneers.
What Can You Do If Your Veneers Are Too White?
Too-white veneers must be remade
Unfortunately, you and your dentist had some miscommunication. If your porcelain veneers are too white, the only way to correct the issue is to get new veneers. Your current dentist might be willing to provide you with a discount on new veneers. If you choose to visit a new dentist, you will likely incur some of the same fees that your dentist charged when you first received your veneers.
Consider Switching Dentists
Remember that a skilled cosmetic dentist genuinely concerned that you love your smile will never try to convince you to accept a shape or color of veneers you do not want. So, it may be best to look for a dentist with post-graduate cosmetic dentistry training who will respect your request for the veneer shade you want. You can have your dental records transferred to a new dentist. Your current dentist has a legal and ethical obligation to cooperate with your switch to a new dentist.
Sugar Land, Texas, cosmetic dentist Dr. Siny Thomas sponsors this post.