veneers Archives - The Wealthy Dentist

Dental Practice Tricks Patient into Getting Veneers

September 23, 2018 By Jim Du Molin Leave a Comment

dental veneers for teeth Patient Told Veneers Would Be Free, Then Charged $5,000

A West Virginia woman has filed suit against a Charleston dental practice, alleging that dentists tricked her into getting veneers.

The woman went in for a regular hygiene visit and was told she “needed” veneers. When she said she couldn’t afford the $5,000 price tag, she was apparently told she could receive them for free if she immediately signed a document. She was in the dental chair when she signed what turned out to be a credit application. She didn’t realize she owed money until she received the Care Credit bill a few months later.

The lawsuit claims this was an illegal violation of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act encompassing fraud, deception and false pretense.

Read more

Filed Under: Legal Tagged With: Care Credit, lawsuit, Legal, veneers

Cost of Veneers: Around $1100 per Tooth

September 23, 2018 By Jim Du Molin Leave a Comment

dental veneers When we asked dentists what they charge for a dental veneer, the average answer was $1,100 for both a traditional porcelain veneer and for a Lumineer.

“Veneers are harder to do correctly from a technical aspect than a ceramic crown,” said one dentist. Agreed another, “I wish I could do them cheaper, but good lab work and planning takes time and money.”

“We do not do many partial veneers, mostly ‘full’ veneers: porcelain fused to zirconia. Actually, we never say ‘crown’ in our prosthodontic practice! Our patients come back and say they ‘just love their new veneers!’ Think about it; crowns are really full veneers,” said a prosthodontist. Cost of veneers

Here’s what else dentists had to say about dental veneers:

“I think veneers are as technique sensitive as traditional crowns, and therefore I charge the same amount. I charge more for dental implant crowns.” (California dentist)
“Depending upon the number of teeth to be done, I will discount my per-tooth fee.” (Oklahoma dentist)
“I charge more for the Lumineers because of the higher lab fee.” (California dentist)
“I do not like Lumineers except in certain situations. More marketing than good product.” (Mississippi dentist)
“I love the look of Lumineers.” (Wisconsin dental office worker)
“We charge the same for Lumineers as porcelain veneers. Lab bills are comparable as well. Patients seem to be more concerned with whether or not you need to cut the teeth than the cost differential.” (Ohio dentist)

Filed Under: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Surveys Tagged With: Cosmetic Dentistry, veneers

Dental Care Reform: Senate To Require Dental Veneers

September 23, 2018 By Jim Du Molin Leave a Comment

In an unexpected bipartisan move, Democratic and Republican senators will announce on April 1st that they will supplement the health care reform bill with a comprehensive reform of dental care in the USA.

“Americans are typically considered to have perfect teeth,” said Senator McGrin (R-CA) at a press conference Tuesday. “What is at stake is nothing less than our country’s international reputation.”

“We will do whatever it takes to stay #1 in the world,” agreed Senator Smilestein (D-NY), also speaking at the press conference. “Our plan will guarantee dental veneers for every man, woman and child in the US.”

Under the proposed plan, dental veneers would become mandatory for all Americans in 2014.

Well-known for having a perfect smile himself, President Barack Obama is expected to support the bill.

“Cosmetic dentistry is a right!” declared Sen. McGrin. “For too long, dental makeovers have been limited to those who can afford them. It’s simply not fair. Mandatory veneers will level the playing field, teeth-wise.”

Those who have had braces or who have naturally perfect teeth may be able to apply for a special waiver. However, these individuals would be required to undergo yearly exams from a cosmetic dentist. At the first sign of decay or yellow teeth, porcelain veneers would be immediately required.

But not everyone is thrilled with the new legislation. In fact, Tea Party conservatives and ACLU liberals have joined forces to protest the bill. “Requiring cosmetic dentistry is un-American,” declared Glenn Beck of Fox News. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I completely agree with Glenn Beck,” replied the president of the ACLU.

“Who is going to pay for universal cosmetic dentistry?” asked Beck. “The Congressional Budget Office has projected that mandatory veneers or lumineers for all Americans will cost the country half a trillion dollars over the next five years. High-income Americans are taxed enough already. And don’t think that higher taxes to pay for this will be limited to people in the upper income brackets. You’re going to see tax increases for middle-income Americans also, if this goes through.”

While the National Dental Organization supports the measure, opponents have loudly challenged the measure. “What’s next?!? Dental implants and dentures for children? Braces for seniors?” demanded one protester. “Why should fat-cat dentists get a special break?”

James Du Molin, president of dental website TheWealthyDentist.com, replied, “Dentists, like other small business owners, are the backbone of our economy. Why are we bailing out banks and other megacorporations? It’s small businesses, like the privately-owned dental office, that create 80% of the new jobs in America.”

Overall, Senators McGrin and Smilestein remain unfazed. “Government-sponsored veneers are the perfect blend of socialism and capitalism,” said Sen. Smilestein. “We’re confident that this solution will satisfy everyone… and cement America’s position of having the best-looking teeth in the world!”

Filed Under: Dental Editorials, Funny Dental News Tagged With: Cosmetic Dentistry, Dental Care, dental veneers, health care, health care reform, tooth veneers, veneers

Cosmetic Dentistry and Reality TV (video)

September 23, 2018 By Jim Du Molin Leave a Comment

Many reality TV shows feature dramatic makeovers that include cosmetic dentistry.

This survey found that half (54%) of dentists think this has increased patient demand for cosmetic dental work.

“It has made more people more aware of the cosmetic dentistry options,” said one dentist.

Another dentist was more skeptical. “These days, any dentist who does an all porcelain crown is calling himself a cosmetic dentist, with or with out any formal dental continuing education programs.”

“I’m more concerned about commercial advertisements from products like Lumineers and Invisalign,” added another.

Filed Under: Dental Videos Tagged With: Cosmetic Dentistry, dental veneers, Invisalign, Lumineers, reality TV, tv, veneers

Dental Dish: Did Mel Gibson Knock out Girlfriend’s Teeth?

September 23, 2018 By Jim Du Molin Leave a Comment

In January, Oksana Grigorieva – who recently had a child with Mel Gibson – saw a dentist following a fight with the actor.

She claims Gibson punched her twice in the face, giving her a concussion and resulting in the loss of one tooth and the chipping of another.

However, friends of the actor claim the damage was only to Grigorieva’s dental veneers, and that Gibson had nothing to do with the damage to the veneers. Gibson maintains that he was only trying to protect their child from Grigorieva during the January altercation.

Sources close to the actor claim that Grigorieva made up the story because of ongoing custody battles and/or for financial reasons. Though the couple has been separated for many months, she recently filed a restraining order against Gibson.

I was curious about gossip websites reporting on someone’s medical records, so I turned to HR expert Barbara Freet. “Is there a HIPPA violation in here anywhere?” I asked her.

“Only if she didn’t want the press to know about her teeth,” Barbara replied, “which I assume she most certainly does!”