What’s it like to replace porcelain veneers?

January 12, 2010 – 12:59 pm

I have eight porcelain veneers on my upper front teeth that are twenty years old. They don’t look that great, they aren’t as white as I would like, and I don’t like the shape. I don’t think the dentist who originally did them was experienced in veneers at all. As I recall, he removed a lot of my existing enamel before he placed them. How difficult/expensive will it be to remove these old veneers and replace them? What kind of result can I expect?
- Tracy from California

Tracy,
Replacing your existing porcelain veneers is pretty much the same process as getting them in the first place, and will cost about the same. In California, expect to pay about $1200 to $2000 per tooth.

Since the veneers are bonded tightly to your teeth, they have to be shaved down and prepared just as if they were enamel. It isn’t even absolutely necessary that all the old porcelain be removed, but generally we like to remove any old restorative materials. There are special techniques that experienced cosmetic dentists use to selectively remove old restorative materials without having to remove tooth structure.

But this time go to a truly artistic cosmetic dentist. I’m sorry that you have been disappointed all these twenty years with how they have looked. But a good 98% of dentists simply aren’t artistic enough to create a beautiful smile. When you get them re-done, expect to be excited about how they look before you pass off on them. If you go to a truly artistic cosmetic dentist, that will be the case. And twenty years from now, you’ll still have a stunning smile.

Good luck.

Other links:
Read about Seattle Lumineers
Dr. McKay has a special interest in dental work for people with bulimia.