Of course you can. Unfortunately… Not in this case though.

These veneers were done in a country in Asia. According to the patient, two of them fell off while the patient was still there. The veneers then were rebonded, and the patient was wondering why he couldn’t floss between them any more.

In the photos you can see the excess cement connecting all the porcelain together. I will not comment on the esthetic aspect, however… From a technical standpoint this case is a disaster waiting to happen. By being unable to floss, food and plaque will be trapped underneath and the gum inflammation will eventually lead to bone loss.

Many people travel to have dental work done. What do you do when there is a problem? Is it worth the savings and the risks ?

The two front teeth are the most commonly restored teeth. They erupt into the mouth at about the age of eight, and being positioned in front of the mouth they often sustain the most damage. Color is not the only parameter required to match the two front teeth with the rest of the teeth in the smile. Among other factors, we have to also match contour, surface texture, and shade variations of different areas of the teeth. Matching the front teeth is like sculpting a portrait of what they used to look like. That is the only way they will blend in with the natural dentition. Furthermore, the two front teeth serve as a very important guidance for joint stability and function. We must approach the front teeth in more than one dimension.

When done correctly, restorations for the front teeth will disappear into the rest of the smile. Here is a testimony from a recent case I delivered last week.

.......................

Email dated 9/09/2011

Dear Dr. Alex,

I want to personally thank you for the wonderful job you did on my case. Although it took longer than I anticipated, it was worth the wait and I am very pleased with the end result. You definitely have the knack for how teeth should look and function. I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and professionalism. ...Again, I want to thank you for a job well done.

P.S. you will soon have another positive review on Yelp :)

Sincerely,

........................................................................................

Alex Nguyen, DDS is a Saratoga Dentist who practices General Dentistry, Cosmetic, and Implant Dentistry. For over 20 years the practice has been serving the residents of Santa Clara County and San Francisco Bay Area.