i have a problem with my porcelain veneers

Q. Dear Dr. Moore, Would you kindly provide me with information regarding a problem I am having with porcelain veneers? I had always had perfect dental health and never even one cavity. 8 years ago, I was talked into getting bonding on 6 anterior teeth just to make them a little larger. Then, I was told bonding had plastic in it and could cause health problems, so for that reason alone I removed bonding to replace with the veneers. Now, I find the dentist I picked is bankrupt from harming so many patients and it seems I have been quite mutilated. All my enamel was drilled off down to the dentin, and he so overprepped under the gum line that I have pain clear up my face. I’ve had steady pain for 3 months. If you bond to dentin won’t the chemicals in the cement more easily be able to get into my system than if I had enamel as more of a barrier? I know cement also bonds better to enamel than dentin. What can I do about the massive overprepping under the gums? Is there any possibility I can be whole again and live a normal life after this without having a time bomb in my mouth, always having to worry about inflammation, chemicals from the cement, bacteria, etc? I’m really quite devastated and fear it’s not really known yet just how damaging resin cements can be to one’s health. Is there anything holistic I could do? How would I go about finding researchers who are trying to regrow real enamel? Would redoing the veneers with some more “holistic” cement maybe help? I’d so much appreciate any information you could provide.

A. Hi
I’m sorry to hear of your problems. Resin cements and composite resin used in cosmetic bonding have been available for around 40 years and there is no long term research showing them to be damaging to the body. It was a shame that the bonding was removed as this is a very conservative way of improving the appearance of the front teeth. You are right that resin bonds the best to enamel, however the new cements create a very good seal and bond to dentine. In fact, when most veneers are prepared some dentine will be exposed under the veneer.

I don’t think it is possible to regrow enamel and it is definitely not possible to regrow it on teeth already in the mouth. I would make sure your oral hygiene is immaculate with regular visits with your Hygienist to prevent any gum problems that the veneers may start in the future

regards  Andrew

Dr Andrew Moore Advance Dental Clinic 104 Moulsham Street, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 0JG Web: www.advancedentalclinic.com Tel: 08443 87 87 88 View My Profile Dr Moore

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