Porcelain Veneer Turning Blueish

My daughter has eight porcelain veneers. She had a bike accident which led to her chipping one of them. She went to a dentist while at home on spring break. He sanded down the tooth to even it out. We pointed out that now the two front teeth were not the same size, so he sanded the other one, too. She went back to school and everything seemed fine. She called me Friday in tears saying that now the two front teeth are turning blue. She took a picture and I told her to email it to the dentist. He said he didn’t see any problem and he was an expert. I can’t tell her that. She’s terrified it’s going to fall off and is also embarrassed by the bluish color. I can see it and I’m not “an expert.” What do I do? Did the sanding damage it?

Lana

Dear Lana,

I’m glad you wrote. I wish I had the image your daughter sent to the dentist, but my guess is those front teeth look something a bit like these teeth pictured above. While I don’t think the shortening of her teeth led to this problem, it does sound like she has a leaky porcelain veneer which means that there are things getting between the porcelain veneers and her teeth.

The porcelain veneer will likely fall off and can be easily bonded back on when that happens. However, you will want it done by an expert cosmetic dentist. I’m having some doubts about the skill of your dentist. His declaration of being “the expert” and correcting you about the color is not what a true cosmetic dentist would say. Even if they thought the veneer was fine, what matters is that the patient loves the results. If your daughter is in tears, she obviously doesn’t love the results. Another sign of his lack of skill is that fact that you had to point out the difference in size of the two teeth. That’ a pretty basic issue.

It’s best if she waits until the veneer falls off. When it does, a true cosmetic dentist would understand that while not a typical dental emergency, it is an aesthetic emergency and would fit her in.

This blog is brought to you by Nashville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. David Wickness.