Veneers done abroad that do not look like you?
Bulky, opaque, uniform veneers are the predictable result of prepping teeth aggressively and designing to a template. Correcting them is harder than doing it right the first time, and it is doable. Send us a photo and we will be honest about what is involved.
- 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
$646/month
144 payments at 9.99% APR, on approved credit.
Total: $54,000 for the gum lift, an implant and twenty porcelain veneers replacing the previous work.
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Treatment Plan by Dr. Mehdizadeh
- Removal and assessment of existing bulky, fake-looking veneers placed abroad
- Comprehensive smile design with symmetry mapping and facial proportion analysis
- Gum lift surgery (crown lengthening) to create symmetrical gum architecture
- Dental implant placement for missing posterior tooth
- 20 upper and lower porcelain veneers with natural characterization, texture, and translucency
- Single implant crown to complete posterior restoration
Why Do Veneers Done Abroad Often Look Fake, and How Are They Corrected?
She arrived with photographs of her smile from several years earlier, before the veneers she had done in Colombia. At the time she thought the color was acceptable, but the teeth were too bulky, looked unmistakably fake and had no natural variation or softness in their shape. Her friends noticed as well as she did, and every photograph reminded her that her smile looked artificial rather than beautiful. We identified each specific failure and planned treatment to address each one.
The dentist abroad had done the original work without temporaries, without a try-in stage and without any rounds of refinement, so she had no opportunity to evaluate the design before the veneers went on. The problem was the missing design steps rather than, necessarily, the materials. That is the difficulty with dental tourism for cosmetic cases: compressing a multi-appointment design process into a single visit removes the steps that produce natural results.
“Cosmetic success comes down to what happens before the porcelain even exists—in the design process, not the laboratory.”
What Was Wrong with the Gum Architecture Beneath the Veneers?
When Dr. Mehdizadeh examined her existing veneers, he found a problem that replacing the veneers alone could not solve. Her gum line was asymmetrical: the gum tissue sat at different heights on corresponding teeth, so new veneers could not look symmetrical however well we designed them.
Asymmetrical gum architecture is surprisingly common and often goes unaddressed in cosmetic cases, because attention goes to the color, shape and alignment of the teeth rather than to the gum tissue that frames them. When that frame is uneven, the teeth look uneven however well crafted they are, which is why we address the gum architecture first in a comprehensive cosmetic case.
Patient Goals
Eliminate the bulky, fake appearance of existing veneers. Create symmetry where none existed before. Achieve soft, natural tooth shapes with proper light reflection and texture. Replace missing posterior tooth with implant. Complete treatment within 8 weeks.
How Did the Gum Lift Create a Foundation for Natural Results?
Gum lift surgery, technically called crown lengthening or gingivectomy, reshapes the gum tissue to establish symmetrical arches. Dr. Mehdizadeh reshaped her gum tissue with microsurgery techniques to create even gum levels across all the teeth. He performs the procedure under local anesthesia, and it heals within 1–2 weeks.
The gum lift let us create teeth that were genuinely symmetrical, instead of teeth that looked uneven because they emerged from uneven gum tissue.
Why Did We Place an Implant at the Same Time as the Gum Lift?
Beyond the veneer failure, this patient was also missing a back tooth. While not visible when smiling, missing teeth create functional problems: remaining teeth shift over time, bite forces distribute unevenly, and opposing teeth can over-erupt into the empty space. Dr. Mehdizadeh placed a dental implant at the same appointment as the gum lift surgery, so the two procedures that each need a healing period healed together, which shortened overall treatment time.
How Did We Design 20 Veneers to Look Natural Instead of Fake?
With the gum architecture corrected and the implant healing, we began the restorative phase. Twenty veneers, ten upper and ten lower, would replace the failed work from abroad, and we designed them from scratch: softer, more natural tooth shapes replacing the blocky profiles; proper surface contours calibrated for natural light reflection; subtle texture replicating natural enamel characteristics; natural variation at the incisal edges avoiding the artificial uniformity that immediately identifies dental work; reduced bulk for harmonious facial proportions; and color with translucency that matches how natural teeth interact with light.
- Softer, more natural tooth shapes replacing blocky profiles from original work
- Proper surface contours calibrated for natural light reflection
- Subtle texture replicating natural enamel surface characteristics
- Natural variation at incisal edges avoiding artificial uniformity
- Reduced bulk for harmonious proportions relative to lips and facial structure
- Color and translucency matching natural tooth optical properties
What Was the 8-Week Timeline from Consultation to Final Result?
From the first consultation to final placement, treatment took 8 weeks for a case involving gum surgery, implant placement and 21 restorations. The timeline worked because we sequenced the procedures so that the healing periods went to design refinement and laboratory fabrication.
This time she saw and approved her new smile design before we did any final work. She wore provisional veneers that previewed the final result, and we adjusted them to her feedback over multiple try-in appointments. When we placed the final restorations, she received the design she had already approved.
“The difference between dental tourism and comprehensive care is the process—not just the final product.”
What Does the Final Result Look Like?
The result replaced bulk with refined proportion, artificial uniformity with natural variation, and asymmetry with balance. The teeth no longer look like dental work; they look like teeth that could have developed naturally.
Frequently Asked Questions About Veneer Redo and Smile Redesign
Why do veneers from abroad often look fake?
Dental tourism typically compresses what should be a multi-appointment design process into a single visit. Without temporaries, try-in appointments, and iterative refinement, there is no opportunity to evaluate and adjust the result before final bonding. Quality cosmetic dentistry requires multiple appointments specifically for previewing and modifying the design—evaluating proportions, testing lip dynamics, and refining surface characteristics. When a provider drops these steps to reduce cost or travel time, the result often looks artificial because nobody customized it to the individual patient’s facial features and aesthetic goals.
What is a gum lift and why is it needed before veneer replacement?
A gum lift (crown lengthening or gingivectomy) is a minor surgical procedure that reshapes gum tissue to create symmetrical gum architecture. When gum tissue sits at different heights on corresponding teeth—which is surprisingly common—even perfectly shaped veneers will appear asymmetrical because the frame around the teeth is uneven. Evening out the gum line first gives us a symmetrical base on which to design symmetrical teeth. The procedure uses local anesthesia and typically heals within 1–2 weeks.
Can failed veneers always be redone?
We can replace most failed veneers, though the approach depends on what exists beneath them. If the original preparations were conservative and healthy tooth structure remains, we can place new veneers with excellent results. If prior work removed excessive tooth structure, created pulp damage, or introduced decay, the tooth may need additional restorative treatment such as core buildups, root canals, or crowns before we can place new veneers. We evaluate the condition of each tooth beneath the existing veneers before finalizing the treatment plan.
Why were 20 veneers needed instead of just replacing the problem teeth?
Replacing individual veneers while leaving others unchanged creates visible inconsistencies in color, shape, surface texture, and light reflection between old and new work. When comprehensive redesign is the goal—correcting proportions, establishing symmetry, and creating natural variation across the entire smile—we treat all visible teeth together, so that every tooth relates properly to its neighbors and nothing reveals piecemeal treatment.
How long does a veneer redo take?
This case took 8 weeks, which included gum lift surgery, implant placement, design refinement with provisional veneers, laboratory fabrication, and final bonding of 20 veneers plus 1 implant crown. We can complete veneer redo cases without additional surgical procedures in 4–6 weeks. The timeline depends on the number of teeth involved, whether the case needs gum surgery or implants, and the complexity of the design changes required.
How long do redone porcelain veneers last?
High-quality porcelain veneers typically last 15–20 years or longer with proper care, whether they are initial veneers or replacement work. Longevity depends on material quality, precision of bonding, and patient maintenance. Regular dental visits every 6 months, along with avoiding habits like ice chewing or nail biting, help maximize veneer lifespan. We recommend a night guard if you grind or clench your teeth.
How much does it cost to redo veneers?
This case was $54,000, covering the gum lift, an implant and twenty porcelain veneers replacing the previous work. $646/month: 144 payments at 9.99% APR, on approved credit.
What is the difference between dental tourism veneers and comprehensive cosmetic dentistry?
The fundamental difference is the design process, not necessarily the materials. Comprehensive cosmetic dentistry involves diagnostic photographs and measurements, digital or wax-up smile design, provisional veneers that the patient wears and evaluates before final fabrication, multiple try-in appointments for adjustments, and direct collaboration between the dentist and master ceramist. Dental tourism compresses or eliminates these steps to accommodate travel schedules, resulting in one-size-fits-all designs that often look artificial.
Are there alternatives to replacing all veneers at once?
In some cases, selective replacement of the most problematic veneers combined with recontouring of others can improve the overall appearance without a full redo. However, this approach has limitations: color matching between old and new porcelain is difficult, and design inconsistencies between original and replacement veneers may still be visible. For patients whose primary concern is the overall fake appearance of their smile, comprehensive replacement produces the most predictable and cohesive result.
What should patients look for when choosing a provider for veneer correction?
Correcting failed cosmetic work is more complex than initial veneer placement because the provider must assess damage from prior preparations, address any gum asymmetry or tissue changes, and design restorations that account for altered tooth structure. Patients should look for a provider who uses provisional veneers and try-in appointments as part of the design process, who addresses gum architecture before placing veneers, and who can handle any surgical components (gum lifts, implants) within the same practice rather than requiring separate specialist referrals.
