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I needed to get some dental implants. The implants were placed fine, but I’ve had trouble getting the bridge. First, there was some problem at the lab, so it took over a year to get the bridge in. Once it finally did come in, I was horribly disappointed. They look overly white and the color is so flat that that they look fake. When I mentioned it to my dentist, he said, “In my professional opinion, they are perfect. The problem is that you are just not used to white teeth because yours were in such bad condition.” He told me to give it time and I would get used to them. But, I haven’t gotten used to them. I honestly hate them. Is there any way I can get my money back?
Stacey
Dear Stacey,
One of the challenges with dental implants is that you have to find a dentist who has post-doctoral training in both the implant procedure as well as cosmetic dentistry. Both are advanced skills. True cosmetic dentists have a different way of going about things than your dentist did.
First, they would have placed the implant bridge in with a temporary bonding so that you could get a good look at them to make sure they liked how they looked. If they didn’t, then they would be sent back to the lab. When it comes to cosmetic work, what the patient feels about the results is paramount. However, a general dentist, without cosmetic training, will focus on their thoughts about it. You saw that in two things: First, the “in my professional opinion.” Second, with his “just give it some time” comment. Most patients do not want to make a fuss, so bringing up their dissatisfaction the first time is hard enough. When they’re told to give it time (especially couched with the insult to their previous teeth) they would be highly unlikely to balk a second time.
The problem you are going to face is that the standard of care is functional, not beautiful. You would be entitled to a refund if something was functionally wrong with the implants or the bridge. However, just not liking how it looks is not something where the dentist would be required to give you a refund. Many would at least want to see you happy with a smile you paid so much money for and would at least be willing to redo it for you. If yours is unwilling, which I suspect is the case, then you have two choices.
First, you can pay to have it redone yourself. Second, you can try to get an expert cosmetic dentist to agree with you on how bad it looks and ask them to talk to your dentist. Sometimes, a dentist will be willing to listen to a peer when they are unwilling to listen to a patient.
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