Hello, and welcome to my blog. I am Dr. Bruce Vafa. Over the years in my practice, I have met countless patients who come in covering their mouths when they laugh. It is not because they have natural teeth they dislike; often, it is because they had dental work done previously that just didn’t turn out right. There is a specific kind of disappointment that comes from investing in your smile only to be unhappy with the result. If you are reading this, you might be looking in the mirror wondering if there is a way to finally get the look you originally wanted.
I am here to tell you that there is absolutely a solution. We can fix bad veneers, replace old ones that have seen better days, and restore both your confidence and your oral health. In cosmetic dentistry, we often say that the best dental work goes unnoticed. Your smile should look like you, just an enhanced version. If your veneers look fake, bulky, or are causing you pain, it is time for a change. Let’s dive deep into why this happens and, more importantly, how I can help you fix it.
Recognizing When Your Veneers Need Attention
You might be asking, “Dr. Vafa, how do I know for sure if my veneers need replacing?” Sometimes the signs are obvious, but other times they are subtle. Veneers are durable, but they are not indestructible. They have a lifespan, and the quality of the initial placement plays a huge role in how long they last.
One of the most common complaints I hear is about aesthetics. Perhaps the color has shifted, or they never matched your natural teeth to begin with. Old composite veneers, in particular, are prone to staining over time. Porcelain is much more resistant, but if the glaze wears off after many years, they can start to look dull.
The “Chiclet” Effect and Bulky Teeth
Have you ever heard the term “Chiclet teeth”? This refers to veneers that look too square, too white, and too thick. This usually happens when the dentist does not remove enough of the natural tooth structure before placing the veneer, or if the dental lab created a restoration that lacks natural contouring. Teeth are not perfectly flat white blocks; they have texture, translucency, and specific shapes that fit your face. If your smile feels too big for your mouth, we can fix bad veneers by designing a new set that respects the natural proportions of your face.
Gum Health and The Dark Line
Another major indicator is the health of your gums. Do your gums look red, puffy, or bleed easily when you brush? This could be a sign that your current veneers fit poorly near the gum line. If there is a ledge or a gap where the veneer meets the tooth, bacteria can get trapped there, causing chronic inflammation.
Additionally, as we age, our gums can naturally recede slightly. If your old veneers were not blended perfectly, gum recession might reveal the natural tooth structure underneath. This often appears as a dark line or a yellow strip at the top of the tooth. It is not just an aesthetic issue; it can lead to sensitivity. Replacing these veneers allows us to cover that exposed area and seal the tooth properly again.
The Science Behind Why Veneers Fail
To understand how to fix bad veneers, we have to understand why they failed. In my experience, failure falls into two categories: functional failure and aesthetic failure. Functional failure means the veneer is loose, cracked, or the tooth underneath has a cavity. Aesthetic failure means they just don’t look good anymore.
One interesting piece of data to consider regarding the longevity of these restorations is encouraging. According to clinical research reviews, porcelain veneers have a high survival rate, with approximately 91% to 93% lasting up to 10 years or more. However, that small percentage of failure often comes down to the bonding technique or bite issues. If your bite—the way your top and bottom teeth come together—was not accounted for, you might be grinding your veneers, causing them to chip or pop off.
When I evaluate a patient who wants to replace their veneers, I look at the “biological width.” This is a fancy dental term for the necessary distance between the dental work and the bone. If a previous dentist placed the veneer too deep under the gum line, the body reacts with inflammation. Correcting this is a priority for me because a beautiful smile must be a healthy smile first.
My Step-by-Step Process to Fix Bad Veneers
Many patients are nervous about the removal process. They worry it will damage their natural teeth. I want to reassure you that with modern technology and patience, replacing veneers is a safe and controlled procedure.
Step 1: The Detailed Consultation
Before I touch a single tooth, we talk. I need to know exactly what you hate about your current smile. Is it the color? The shape? The way they feel when you bite? We will take digital X-rays to check the health of the teeth underneath the porcelain. I look for hidden decay or nerve issues. We also take high-resolution photos. I use these images to design your new smile digitally, so you can see where we are going before we start.
Step 2: Careful Removal
Removing old veneers requires precision. I use specialized magnification and tools to gently sand away the old porcelain or composite. The goal is to separate the veneer from the tooth without removing any unnecessary natural structure. It is a delicate process, almost like sculpting. If your previous dentist was aggressive with tooth reduction, I will be extremely conservative to preserve what is left. My philosophy is always to save as much of your natural tooth as possible.
Step 3: Refining the Preparation
Once the old material is gone, I clean the surface of the tooth. If there was decay, I remove it. If the gums were irritated, we might need to do some minor laser contouring to make the gum line symmetrical and healthy. This creates the perfect canvas for your new smile. We then take an impression—either a digital scan or a precision mold—to send to my master ceramist.
Step 4: The “Test Drive” with Temporaries
This is a crucial step that some offices rush, but I do not. I will craft temporary veneers for you to wear while your permanent ones are being made. These temporaries are not just placeholders; they are a blueprint. You will wear them for a few weeks. This allows you to “test drive” your new look. You can tell me if they feel too long, too short, or if the color isn’t quite right. We can make adjustments to the temporaries instantly. Once you love the temporaries, I tell the lab to copy that exact shape for the final porcelain.
Step 5: Bonding the New Smile
When your new veneers arrive, we try them on. I use a trying paste that mimics the color of the final cement so you can see the final result. If we both love it, I bond them permanently. Modern bonding agents are incredibly strong. They essentially fuse the porcelain to your enamel, restoring the strength of the tooth.
Porcelain vs. Composite: Making the Right Choice
When we fix bad veneers, we have to decide on the material. In my practice, I find that the vast majority of replacements should be done with high-quality porcelain. While composite resin is cheaper, it is porous. This means it absorbs stains from coffee, wine, and food. Over three to five years, composite loses its shine.
Porcelain, on the other hand, mimics the light-reflecting properties of natural enamel. It has depth and translucency. It is also stain-resistant. If you have had bad experiences with veneers looking “flat” or “chalky,” it was likely due to poor quality material or a lack of layering. The porcelain veneers I use are hand-layered to create a look that is indistinguishable from a pristine natural tooth.
Addressing Sensitivity and Pain
A common fear is that replacing veneers will cause sensitivity. It is true that whenever we work on teeth, the nerve can get a little excited. However, because we are often just removing the old porcelain and bonding to the existing preparation, the trauma to the tooth is minimal. I also use desensitizing agents during the bonding process.
If your old veneers were causing pain because of a bite imbalance, your relief will be almost immediate once the new ones are placed. Correcting the occlusion (the bite) removes the stress from the teeth and the jaw muscles. Many patients tell me that their chronic headaches disappear once we fix their dental work.
The Impact of a Smile Makeover
It is easy to underestimate how much a bad dental job affects your life. I have seen patients who have stopped smiling in photos for years. Fixing this issue is not just vanity; it is about reclaiming your self-expression. When you know your smile looks natural and healthy, you project a different energy.
This is supported by data regarding patient satisfaction in cosmetic dentistry. Studies regarding aesthetic dental treatments show exceptionally high satisfaction rates, with one study noting that over 89% of patients reported improved self-esteem and satisfaction with their appearance after receiving porcelain veneers. This aligns perfectly with what I see in my office every week. The transformation is emotional as much as it is physical.
Maintaining Your New Veneers
Once we fix bad veneers, we want the new ones to last as long as possible. The maintenance is very similar to natural teeth, but with a few extra precautions. You need to brush and floss daily. Flossing is non-negotiable because you must keep the gum line healthy. I also recommend a non-abrasive toothpaste. Some whitening toothpastes are too gritty and can scratch the surface of porcelain over time, causing it to lose its luster.
If you grind your teeth at night (a condition called bruxism), I will likely make you a custom night guard. This is a small piece of plastic that protects your investment. Porcelain is strong, but grinding forces are incredibly powerful and can chip even the best dental work.
Why You Should Not Wait
If you are unhappy with your current veneers, waiting often makes the problem complicated. If there is a gap allowing bacteria in, decay can spread rapidly underneath the veneer where you can’t see it. By the time it hurts, we might be looking at a root canal or losing the tooth entirely. Addressing the issue while the tooth structure is still sound gives us the best chance for a perfect replacement.
Furthermore, gum inflammation caused by bulky veneers can lead to permanent gum recession. Once gum tissue is lost, it does not grow back easily. Fixing the contour of the veneers now allows the gums to heal and bounce back to their natural, pink, healthy state.
For more information on how to care for your teeth and the different types of cosmetic procedures available, I recommend reading this article from MouthHealthy by the American Dental Association. It provides a great overview of what you should expect from quality dental care.
A Final Word from Dr. Vafa
I understand that going back to the dentist to redo work you already paid for is frustrating. It requires trust, and I value that trust immensely. My goal is never to just “sell” you a procedure. My goal is to partner with you to achieve the health and aesthetics you deserve.
When you sit in my chair, you are the boss. I am there to provide the expertise, the artistic eye, and the gentle touch. We can correct color mismatches. We can reshape bulky teeth. We can heal angry gums. Technology has advanced so much in just the last five to ten years; the materials we have today are stronger and more beautiful than ever before.
Do not settle for a smile that you have to hide. If your veneers feel wrong, look fake, or are causing you discomfort, please reach out. We can fix bad veneers and turn a past regret into a future asset. I look forward to meeting you and helping you smile freely again.