February 2017 - Allyson K Hurley, DDS

Keeping Our Patients Safe

Dear Friends:
I am excited to announce that we are accepting new patients again. To insure that our patients and staff stay safe myself and the full staff have received the Covid-19 vaccination . We would like to ease your concerns about coming to the office.

Click here for our new office safety protocol

Zoom whitening makes my crowns look dark even though I got my teeth whitened before I got crowns. My dentist suggested that I whiten my teeth first so that crowns could be made to match them but my crowns are darker than my teeth anyway. This is not what I had in mind and the crowns are on the right front of my mouth so it is noticeable. Why would this happen if we properly planned? My dentist acts like she doesn’t know what to do about it now. I haven’t even started at home touch-ups yet. I feel like I wasted my money on Zoom because I probably won’t use it any more if it’s going to make my teeth whiter and whiter. Is this something my dentist is responsible for? Milisha

Milisha – Your dentist was correct in telling you that you should get Zoom whitening before your dental crowns were made. There are two possible reasons that your crowns are darker than your natural teeth.

Your whitening sessions were not completed before your crowns were made. Zoom whitening sessions should be completed before preparing for crowns. This means that your teeth should be as white as you want them before crowns are requested from the dental lab. If any whitening sessions are done after the crowns are requested from the lab, your crowns will be too dark.
The color of your teeth had not stabilized before the crowns were made. After your whitening sessions are complete, the color of your teeth needs to stabilize. This takes about two weeks. The color of your crowns shouldn’t be determined before then.
Your dentist didn’t request the correct shade from the dental laboratory. It is possible that your dentist didn’t request the correct shade for your crowns. The ceramist at the dental laboratory makes your crown based on instructions from your dentist. It is also possible that a mistake on color was made at the lab.

Your dental records and the instructions that were sent to the lab can help determine where the mistake was made. But that’s not something you would be able to identify on your own. We suggest that you speak with your dentist and ask what went wrong. You should also ask for new crowns that match your natural teeth.

If you don’t get a positive response from your dentist, you can have your dental records transferred to an experienced cosmetic dentist for an evaluation and second opinion.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

My porcelain veneers are way too white and this is a repeat issue I’m having with my dentist. Would you please give me some insight on this issue?

I have 8 porcelain veneers on my top teeth. When my dentist and I discussed the color, I was repeatedly showed shades that were too white. She finally agreed to give me the shade I agreed to. To my surprise when I tried the veneers in they were not the shade I picked. The dentist had them sent back for a shade that wasn’t startling white.

The second set came back 5 weeks ago and I thought I was getting a try-in but my dentist actually bonded them to my teeth. Needless to say I was furious when she showed me the veneers and after I told her they are still too white, she told me it was the shade I asked for, she had already bonded them on, and I’m all set.

2 weeks ago, the bottom half of one of the incisor veneers broke. My dentist said she will replace it with a 3 year guarantee. I am wondering why there is only a 3 year guarantee on the veneer. Shouldn’t it last 15 to 20 years? I am pretty frustrated and nervous about what will happen when I go back to the office to have the veneer replaced. It probably won’t match the other ones. Is this experience typical? Did I get a defective batch of veneers or maybe someone selected the wrong color?

My frustration is increasing by the day. What do you advise me to do? Thank you. Marielle

Marielle,
Your increasing frustration is understandable. It sounds as if you’re saying that your dentist bonded your second set of porcelain veneers without your approval. If that’s the case, your dentist is liable for malpractice. Dental or medical treatment cannot be legally performed without the patient’s consent.

A conscientious cosmetic dentist will never bond veneers without having the patient’s approval first. The fact that this was your second set of veneers, and they were bonded without your consent, suggests that your dentist didn’t care whether you liked your veneers or not.

When a veneer breaks soon after placement, it’s a sign of faulty bonding technique. Veneers get their strength from the bonding process.

Your misfortune with your porcelain veneers is getting increasingly complex. We recommend that you visit at least two accredited cosmetic dentists for a second opinion. Your teeth and veneers should be examined, and the findings should be documented.

Ask the dentist who originally placed your veneers to give you a refund. Your veneers need to be redone, and the dentist who is responsible is obligated to return your money so you can get a correctly designed smile. You can also consider consulting with a consumer protection attorney for advised on how to get compensated. The problem can also be reported to the dental board.

We wish you a prompt and smooth resolution of this issue.

This post is sponsored by Bedminster, NJ accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Allyson Hurley.

Archives for February 2017