I spent quite a bit of money on a smile makeover. My dentist showed me before and after pictures before I agreed to the procedure. They all looked pretty. Mine turned out quite differently. The “teeth” look very thick almost like the old chicklets gum. Why would my smile turn out so differently from the photos?
Jennifer S. – West Virginia
Jennifer,
I can’t tell you why they didn’t look like the pictures he showed you. There is a possibility he used stock photos, especially if he’s inexperienced and doesn’t have many cases of his own to show.
Any general dentist can claim to be a cosmetic dentist. There is no recognized cosmetic dentistry specialty by the ADA. However, that doesn’t mean that they are skilled. Cosmetic dentistry actually requires a great deal of training, not just technical either. It takes an artistic eye.
It sounds like your dentist isn’t one that has the best training. Based on what you’ve said about the bulkiness, I suspect your dentist used a no-prep veneer, such as Lumineers. A lot of inexperienced cosmetic dentists use them, mostly because they’re marketed directly to them as being easy to place.
What you want, for a smile makeover, is to get a highly skilled cosmetic dentist. Look for someone who is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Any cosmetic dentist can be a member of the AACD, but only the most skilled, who pass stringent oral and written exams, as well as demonstrate their artistry with actual cases from their practice can be accredited.
That’s the type of cosmetic dentist that can give you the smile you’re hoping for.
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