Unhappy with veneers you already have?
Veneers that are too white, too bulky, or too uniform do not look like teeth. They look like dental work. Replacing them well is harder than doing it right the first time. Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly what it would take.
- A call within two hours during office hours.
- A written cost from us, before you commit to anything.
- No obligation. Many patients take weeks to decide. That is normal.
What this case cost
$454/month
144 payments at 9.99% APR, on approved credit.
Total: $38,000 for a gum lift and twenty porcelain veneers, ten upper and ten lower.
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Treatment Plan by Dr. Mehdizadeh
- Removal of existing upper veneers
- Gum lift (gingivectomy) to harmonize gum line architecture
- Upper veneer replacement with refined proportions and translucency
- Lower veneers to complete the smile harmonization
When Veneers Don't Feel Like You
This young patient came to us with a recent set of upper veneers from another provider that never felt right: bulky, opaque, and not hers. She had lost confidence in her smile and never got used to the veneers.
Replacing them meant first understanding why the original work had failed, aesthetically and functionally, then designing an approach that would restore both her smile and her confidence in cosmetic dentistry.
"The work should disappear. What remains should simply look like you."
Why Do Some Veneers Look Fake?
Upon examination, Dr. Mehdizadeh identified several issues with the existing veneers. The proportions were too bulky, creating an artificial appearance that stood out rather than blended. The opacity blocked the natural light transmission that gives teeth their vitality. And the shape didn't complement her natural facial anatomy—they looked like veneers, not teeth. These are common problems when a dentist designs veneers from a one-size-fits-all approach rather than customizing them to the individual patient's facial structure, lip dynamics, and skin tone.
Poor veneer outcomes typically stem from one or more of these factors: insufficient tooth preparation creating excessive thickness, use of opaque porcelain that blocks light transmission, failure to consider the patient's natural tooth color underneath, and ignoring the relationship between gum architecture and tooth proportions. In this case, the gum line itself also needed correction to establish the proper framework for truly natural-looking restorations.
Initial Findings
Comprehensive examination revealed: bulky veneer proportions creating artificial appearance, excessive porcelain opacity blocking natural light transmission, shade mismatch with patient's natural complexion, shape inconsistent with facial anatomy, and gum line asymmetry requiring correction before veneer replacement.
How We Approached the Replacement
Rather than matching what was there, Dr. Mehdizadeh designed from what natural teeth would look like on this particular patient, analyzing her facial proportions, lip line, skin tone, and the way light interacts with her existing dental structures. The facially-driven digital smile design mapped out exactly what the final result should look like before any dental work began.
The treatment involved several coordinated steps, each building on the previous one:
- Careful removal of existing veneers and evaluation of underlying tooth structure
- Slimmed the proportions to eliminate the bulky appearance
- Corrected the color to match her natural complexion
- Restored translucency for lifelike light interaction
- Shaped each tooth to complement her natural anatomy
- Performed a gum lift to harmonize the gum line architecture
- Extended treatment to lower arch for complete harmonization
- Provisional restorations to verify aesthetics before final bonding
The gum lift is a step often overlooked in veneer cases. Even well-made veneers will look wrong if the gum line framing them is uneven or positioned incorrectly. Dr. Mehdizadeh performed a gingivectomy to reshape the gum tissue, creating symmetrical gum margins that would provide the ideal framework for the new restorations.
The Result: Veneers That Look Like Natural Teeth
We treated the upper and lower teeth together, and the new restorations look like natural teeth. The patient regained trust in cosmetic dentistry and comfort in her own appearance. The translucency of the new porcelain allows light to pass through the way it does with natural enamel, and the refined proportions integrate seamlessly with her facial features.
"Replacing veneers is harder than placing them. You're correcting someone else's decisions."
Choosing the Right Cosmetic Dentist for Veneer Replacement
Veneer replacement is more complex than initial veneer placement. The dentist must assess the condition of the underlying tooth structure once the old veneers are off, manage any damage from the previous preparation, and design restorations that correct the specific aesthetic failures of the original work. It demands both prosthodontic training and a refined understanding of dental material science—how porcelain interacts with light, how thickness affects translucency, and how shade and surface texture create the illusion of natural enamel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Veneer Replacement
Can existing veneers be replaced?
Yes, we can replace veneers that show damage, look aesthetically unsatisfactory, or have become outdated. The process involves carefully removing the existing veneers, evaluating the underlying tooth structure for any damage or decay, and designing new restorations that address the specific shortcomings of the original work. The quality of the replacement depends heavily on the precision of the removal process and the design methodology used for the new restorations.
What causes veneers to look fake or bulky?
Several factors contribute to unnatural-looking veneers: insufficient tooth preparation creating excessive thickness, use of opaque porcelain that blocks light transmission, poor shade matching, and failure to consider individual facial anatomy. Quality veneers should be virtually indistinguishable from natural teeth, with appropriate translucency and proportions customized to each patient.
How much does veneer replacement cost in Beverly Hills?
This case was $38,000, covering a gum lift and twenty porcelain veneers, ten upper and ten lower. $454/month: 144 payments at 9.99% APR, on approved credit.
How long does a veneer replacement take?
A veneer replacement typically requires 2-4 appointments over 3-6 weeks. At the first visit we remove the old veneers and take impressions. You wear provisional veneers while our ceramist makes the final veneers. If you need a gum lift, you may need an additional 2-4 weeks of healing before we place the final veneers.
What is a gum lift and why is it needed with veneers?
A gum lift (gingivectomy) reshapes the gum line to create better symmetry and proportion. Even well-made veneers will look wrong if the gum line framing them is uneven or positioned incorrectly. The procedure establishes the proper framework for the veneers and achieves harmonious gum-to-tooth relationships across the entire smile.
Why treat upper and lower teeth together?
A harmonized smile requires coordination between upper and lower arches. Treating only one arch can create mismatches in color, size, or shape that are visible when speaking or smiling. Comprehensive upper and lower treatment ensures the entire visible smile works together aesthetically and functionally.
How long do replacement porcelain veneers last?
High-quality porcelain veneers typically last 15-20 years or longer with proper care. Longevity depends on material quality, precision of placement, oral hygiene habits, and avoiding habits that stress the restorations like nail biting, ice chewing, or teeth grinding without a night guard.
Are there alternatives to replacing bad veneers?
In some cases, we can address minor issues like surface staining or small chips with polishing or bonding without full replacement. However, if the underlying problems are structural—bulky proportions, poor opacity, or incorrect shape—replacement is typically the only option that produces a satisfactory result. We evaluate each case individually to determine the most conservative effective approach.
Is it safe to replace veneers? Will it damage my teeth?
Veneer replacement is safe when performed by an experienced cosmetic dentist. We remove the old veneers carefully to preserve as much natural tooth structure as possible, evaluate the remaining tooth structure before proceeding, and adjust the treatment plan to what we find underneath, so the new veneers are both beautiful and structurally sound.
Who is the best dentist for veneer replacement in Beverly Hills?
Look for a dentist with advanced prosthodontic training, experience in corrective veneer work specifically, and an in-house ceramist or laboratory. Veneer replacement requires different skills than initial placement—the dentist must manage compromised tooth structure, correct previous design failures, and produce restorations that surpass the original work. Ask to see before-and-after cases of veneer replacements, not just initial veneer placements.
