Category Archives: Lumineers

Lumineers

The Best Way to Fix My Nephews Smile?

I am gifting my nephew some braces for his graduation. However, his dentist told him that would take three years and if he just got Lumineers he could have a a smile makeover in two appointments. However, for eighteen teeth, it will cost about $18,000. He told him it would last for 20 years. I’m worried my nephew is being used for his dentist’s profit. What should I tell him?

Meghan

Dear Meghan,

I share your concern. Even if he did get Lumineers, and we’ll talk about why that makes me leery in a moment, his dentist is talking about doing both arches. Generally, that is overkill. The general procedure is teeth whitening and then to put Lumineers on the upper eight to ten teeth. The remainder of your teeth aren’t as visible, even when you smile so teeth whitening blends them to the designed teeth.

My other concern is the Lumineers. This is a brand of porcelain veneers that are typically marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easy to place. That does not mean they are easy to make attractive. I would want to see what type of results he gets on cases he’s actually done. There are many brands of porcelain veneers experienced cosmetic dentists prefer.

The twenty years longevity on them completely depends on how well they are cared for and whether adequate upkeep is done. If it isn’t, they can lose their attractiveness in as few as 5-7 years.

My suggestion, especially as you had only planned on doing orthodontics is for you to look at Invisalign. They can straighten his teeth in 6 to 12 months and he can whiten his teeth at the same time as Invisalign is being done.

If you decide to go with porcelain veneers, please check that the dentist knows how to do them beautifully.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Lumineers

Is this how Lumineers Should Go?

I have a question about the Lumineers process because I am afraid that I am being ripped off. I paid up front and it was a LOT. The dentist did the impressions after the tooth preparation was done. Then, we were told it would take two weeks for the Lumineers to come in.

Here is what has me worried. At the two week mark, the dentist called and told me that the lab had contacted her. They said that there was a problem with the impressions and they have to be redone, which means coming back in and starting over.

Is this normal or should I be concerned?

Katie

Dear Katie,

I am glad you wrote because this is not normal and I am a bit concerned. I don’t think your dentist is necessarily trying to rip you off. I just think that she is in over her head. I doubt you will be happy with the results.

While it is not uncommon for a dentist to have a bad set of impressions from time to time, here is what is bothersome.

First, your dentist did not recognize that the impressions were bad. The lab should not have needed to tell her that. She should have recognized it and been proactive. Now maybe she thought, “Well, they’re not great but they may be good enough.” Here is the problem with that. Do you want a dentist who is doing your smile makeover, which you paid a fortune for, to think “good enough” is what you want? People who come in for smile makeovers want something gorgeous.

Second, for the lab to call her and tell her that the impressions need to be redone means that they were unusable. That should have been easily recognizable by her.

Third, why wait the full two weeks? Was it a matter of she kept telling the lab to try to work with them when they first called early on because she was too prideful to call you? This is not a good sign either.

Lumineers, which are just one brand of porcelain veneers, are routinely and heavily marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easy to place. Believe me, nothing is easy about porcelain veneers.

My recommendation is that you tell your dentist you want a full refund and then find a dentist who has more expertise in cosmetic work. Make sure you ask to see before and after pictures of work they’ve done.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Lumineers

Don’t Be Fooled By 360 Veneers

I asked my dentist to provide me with Lumineers for my smile makeover. I’d been saving up for it for quite some time. At the appointment, he told me I would be a better candidate for 360 wrap veneers and not only would I really like the results, but they’d be more secure because they wrap around the whole tooth. My one concern (other than that they look good) is the amount of tooth structure that would have to be removed. It’s one of the reasons I wanted Lumineers. I asked about how much structure they’d need to remove and they said, “Hardly any.” Fast forward and while the smile looks okay, the veneers keep falling off. I was shocked to see my teeth were little nubs underneath them the first time it happened. My problem is it is happening too frequently. I wasn’t aware this would be an issue. While my dentist always puts them back on free of charge, I always get a lecture about what I’m eating. I assure you that I have tried to be very careful with them. Sometimes they just fall off while I’m doing nothing. I’m too nervous to go anywhere. Is there anything that can be done to keep these in? Is there a special extra hardy cement out there?

Evelyn

Dear Evelyn,

I’m going to tell you right up front that your dentist has misled you on two fronts. Not only that, he appears to be incompetent in his job. Before getting into why these are falling off, I want to begin with the lies you were told. To say that he or she is ethically challenged would be a bit generous.

Let’s start with the obvious one. You asked how much tooth structure would need to be removed and they said hardly any. You discovered their lie the first time one fell off. If your teeth are now little nubs, that is not “hardly any.”

This feeds us right into another deception. He told you that you were a better candidate for 360 wrap veneers. I hate telling you this, but that does not exist. ANY brand of porcelain veneers, including the Lumineers you originally asked for, will just cover the front and hug the sides just a bit.

I believe what he gave you are dental crowns. These do wrap completely around the tooth. Above, I have an image of the type of teeth preparation needed for dental crowns versus porcelain veneers. I bet yours look a lot like the crown tooth preparation.

Unfortunately, now that he has removed the tooth structure, there is no getting it back and you will have to have dental crowns for the remainder of your life.

Can This Be Fixed?

The short answer is yes. However, you are not going to be able to do this through your dentist. Besides, how could you trust him? One of the first things dentists learn to do in dental school is a dental crown.

It sounds like your dentist struggles with even basic dentistry. Most dentists will go their entire careers without having a dental crown fall out. Yours cannot seem to keep them in.

My recommendation is you ask him for a complete refund on the procedure. If he complains or argues about that, tell him that you will be suing him for malpractice and taking the issue to the dental board as well, if he prefers. That should sober him up.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Lumineers

Are Lumineers Bad For Your Teeth?

I’ve been looking into my smile makeover options and was excited about the prospect of Lumineers because my dentist told me they don’t require any grinding down of your teeth. However, as I’ve looked online, I see a lot of mixed information about them. Some love them and some say that they destroyed their smile. Should I be concerned?

Alexis

Dear Alexis,

An advertisement for Lumineers

Lumineers won’t destroy your smile on their own. That is why there are mixed reviews. If you have a dentist who is skilled in cosmetic dentistry, then you have a better chance at a successful outcome than if you have a dentist who hasn’t invested a lot of time and training in learning cosmetic work.

That being said, there are two big problems with Lumineers. The first is that they are heavily marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easy to place because they are ultra thin, which Lumineers says makes them no-prep.

While an occasional smile can get away with a no-prep makeover, most need at least some tooth preparation or else the smile ends up looking bulky. Some have even described it as having horse teeth.

Your dentist was mistaken in saying that your teeth will need to be ground down with another brand. That is simply not the case. The only procedure that would require your teeth to be ground down is with dental crowns. For porcelain veneers, you only need about the depth of a fingernail gently shaved to make room for the porcelain veneers.

Your dentist’s claim gives me pause to think he is not experienced enough in cosmetic dentistry to give you a beautiful result.

The second issue with Lumineers is their lab. The company that owns them forces dentists to use their lab, which is not known for producing beautiful results.

In your place, I would not worry about the brand as much as the dentist. Ask to see some before and after pictures of porcelain veneer procedures they’ve done. If you like their results, you should be fine. Then, let them pick the brand that will give you the look you want.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Lumineers

Lumineers Disaster. What Should She Do?

I have a situation. I spent a ton of money getting Lumineers on my top six teeth. When I first went in, I told this dentist that I have had two dental bonding procedures done on my teeth that has made them look a bit bulky and I’d like that to be corrected with my Lumineers. The dentist assured me the Lumineers people knew exactly what they were doing. They did provide an image of what my smile would look like when they were completed and I was really excited about that. However, the result turned out nothing like expected. The closest I can explain it is saying I now have horse teeth. They are bulky and I have a huge overbite. My top teeth actually come out to the middle of my lower lip. They told me my muscles would adjust. I’ve been in tears since they bonded it. Is there any way to get my money back?

Catherine

Dear Catherine,

Lumineers Advertisement

I cringed when I read your dentist’s comment that the Lumineers people will know exactly what to do. There are two things wrong with that statement. First, it is the dentist who is supposed to know exactly what to do and give the laboratory specific instructions. Think about it like a doctor writing a prescription and the pharmacy filling that prescription. If the doctor writes the wrong prescription, there is no way for the pharmacist to know that. They can only do what they’ve been told. Second, the laboratory that does Lumineers’ work is not known for its beautiful results.

Getting a refund, however, could be tricky. Because cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty, which means it is judged by the standards of general dentistry. That means to get a refund, it doesn’t matter what the results look like, but rather whether or not the smile is functional. If it is, all you can do is appeal to your dentist’s sense of pride in his or her work. If that doesn’t matter to them, I would tell them you’ll be posting a review about how they don’t care whether their “smile makeovers” are attractive or even feel comfortable in or mouth.

I’m sorry for what you went through.
This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Lumineers

How Can I Make My Lumineers Last Longer?

Hi there,

I want a new smile, and am interested in getting porcelain veneers. My cosmetic dentist works with Lumineers, so I was thinking of getting them. However, I want my smile makeover to last a long time. What can I do to make sure my Lumineers last 15-20 years?

Sidney, from Amarillo, TX

 

Hi Sidney,

It is good that your dentist is comfortable working with Lumineers. The first step to making sure your cosmetic dental work lasts a long time is choosing an expert cosmetic dentist. Lumineers are a type of ultra-thin porcelain, but they are placed directly over your natural teeth with no preparation. For this reason, Lumineers can look bulky or unnatural if not placed with skill and care.

You can keep your oral hygiene routine the same at home, as neither tooth brushes, tooth paste, nor mouth wash can harm porcelain. Keep up with your regular dental appointments to prevent gum disease. Also, be sure to let your oral hygienist know you have veneers, to avoid any harsh tools that can leave scratches.

Porcelain may be durable but it can be stained. Coffee and red wine are major culprits, as can be tobacco use. Try to use a straw when drinking coffee or red wine in order to minimize contact with your teeth.

Lumineers can also be ground down like your natural teeth, so make your dentist aware if you grind your teeth. A night guard will take the pressure off your veneers at night, and can prevent any fracturing.

This blog post is brought to you by Phoenix  Dentist, Dr. Hillary Peck, of Peck Family Dentistry.

 

Lumineers

Lumineers Disaster

I went into my dentist for a smile makeover. He gave me four Lumineers. When I went there, I was very specific with him that I wanted a white smile. Yet, when my Lumineers came in and were placed, I noticed they weren’t white like we’d discussed. I tried to like them, but after a few days, I called him. I expressed that I didn’t like the color. That’s when he told me he placed a stain on them so they’d look “normal”. I was quite disappointed to hear that as it went against my expressed desires. He offered to take the stain off. That idea thrilled me. I went there with high hopes. Those hopes were dashed when I saw the results. Essentially, all he did was drill off the top layer. This made the teeth look dull and uneven, which is even worse. Do I have any way of affordably getting this fixed?

Brandon.

Dear Brandon,

A porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

The smile makeover procedure you had reminds me a little to much of the middle-grade books, A Series of Unfortunate Events. I can tell from the way you described things that your dentist is either fairly new at cosmetic dentistry and is dipping his toes in the smile makeover waters, or he’s just completely incompetent. Because Lumineers is highly marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easier to place than other brands of porcelain veneers, I suspect (or maybe hope) it is the former.

Let’s start with the fact that he did four Lumineers. Most people’s smiles are around eight to ten teeth wide. If you don’t want a bi-color smile, you have two choices. First, you can get that many porcelain veneers. A great option if you can afford it. However, not everyone can. In that case, your second option is to have your teeth whitened before you have your veneers made. This way the teeth will be close enough in color to make sense and blend.

The next disastrous decision is he stained them. Yes, you said you wanted a white smile, but your dentist thought, “I’m the professional and know better.” So, he put a stain on them to make them look like regular teeth. This is an attitude taught in general dental school. However, people paying for a new smile don’t want “regular” teeth. They want gorgeous teeth. This is why dentists who invest in post-doctoral training in smile makeovers learn the opposite. You aren’t creating normal smiles. Instead, you are creating your patient’s dream smile.

Amateur move number three is him bonding them on without you getting a look at them. True cosmetic dentists will use a temporary try-in paste, give you plenty of time to look at the veneers in various lightings, and decide if you are thrilled with them. If you’re not, they don’t get bonded on. The dentist will make the changes necessary to achieve the results you want. You’re paying for a stunning smile. You should get one.

His Disastrous Lumineers “Fix”

Finally, let’s get into your dentist’s “fix” for his misjudgment. What he should have done when you told him this wasn’t the color you agreed to was to start over and provide you with new Lumineers. That, however, would cost him time and money. So, he takes a short cut and drills off the stain. While this ruined your Lumineers, this is actually good news for you.

Because he damaged them, he is now obligated to fix them. I would not just get a refund or have him re-do them. He’s shown a disregard for your wishes, as well as a lack of commitment to the quality of his work. What you need to do is tell him you would like him to cover the cost of another dentist replacing them.

Before deciding on a second dentist, look at their smile gallery. Make sure there are before and after pictures of cases they’ve done personally, not just stock photos. Even then, only go forward if you absolutely love the after results they acheived.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Hillary Peck.

Lumineers

Pros and Cons to Lumineers

Hi,

I am interested in getting Lumineers. Should I? Or would I be better off getting something else instead?

Jodie, from Chicago, Illinois

 

Hi Jodie,

Lumineers are a brand of ultra-thin porcelain veneers. They can easily fix minor dental flaws by being cemented over your natural tooth.

This article will highlight the pros and cons of whether Lumineers are right for you. Be sure to talk over your options with your dentist prior to getting any cosmetic dental work.

Pros of Lumineers

One major reason Lumineers are popular is because they are a no-prep veneer, meaning your tooth’s surface does not need preparing or roughening before the Lumineer is cemented in. Due to the lack of prep, Lumineers are a conservative option for a smile makeover.

Veneers are a good option if you suffer from teeth that are crooked, cracked, discolored, or came in incorrectly. Porcelain veneers can easily fix these problems.

If your smile is in need of a whitening boost but you’re tired of whitening your teeth, or needs to be evened out, porcelain veneers are a non-invasive option for a smile makeover.

Cons of Lumineers

For extensive, restorative dental work, porcelain veneers may not be the best option.

Another thing to be careful of is the dentist placing your Lumineers. Due to the no-prep nature of the procedure, Lumineers are placed over your natural teeth. In the wrong the hands, Lumineers can appear bulky if placed by an inexperienced cosmetic dentist.

If you want your Lumineers to look like the marketing materials, be sure to check a potential dentist’s smile gallery before agreeing to any work. If you find a dentist you want to work with who is not comfortable working with Lumineers, you may want to opt for a different material for your smile makeover.

This blog post is brought to you by Phoenix Lumineers provider, Dr. Hillary Peck, of Peck Family Dentistry.

 

Lumineers

Should I Seek a Second Opinion on my Porcelain Veneers?

Hello there,

I was interested in getting a dentist to do a smile makeover over some of my upper teeth. Initially I considered braces or orthodontic treatment, because my teeth were not aligned and there was some crowding. My dentist encouraged me to consider porcelain veneers instead, as they could fix my teeth’s problems much faster than orthodontics.

He examined my teeth, and quoted me an amount that included shaving and shaping my teeth,  as well as the porcelain work. It was nearly $10,000! After I got over the sticker shock, he said that price did not include any root canals, which I would also need.

Should I get a second opinion from another cosmetic dentist? Or is this a normal price everywhere?  Should I get Lumineers instead to make the price cheaper? I knew cosmetic work would be expensive, but I need something more affordable than $10,000!

Luna, from Tonawanda, New York

 

Hi Luna,

The art of the smile makeover is not taught in dental school. Dentists are taught to be pragmatic and functional, to fix problems rather than create artistic solutions. Granted, the higher the sticker price does not always mean the best quality. A lot of research should go into selecting a cosmetic dentist for a smile makeover.

Lumineers are sometimes cheaper because they do not require prep, such as shaping or shaving. However, Lumineers take a special amount of skill to place; in the wrong hands, they can look bulky. If your dentist is not comfortable with Lumineers, do not push them. You may save a few dollars, but if the dentist is working outside their comfort zone, the resulting work may not be the highest quality.

You may be better off looking at smile galleries on local cosmetic dentists’ web pages to find someone you like. The final result is more important than price, and getting work done correctly the first time will save you money in the long run.

This blog post is brought to you by Phoenix Lumineers provider, Dr. Hillary Peck, of Peck Family Dentistry.

Lumineers

Should I Get Lumineers?

Hello,

I’ve always hated my smile, and am interested in getting veneers to fix it. I’m interested in Lumineers, but I’ve heard they may not be as durable as porcelain veneers. Which would be better? I’m currently saving up for the veneers, so cost is a factor. I want the longest-lasting veneers I can get.

Sydnee, from Richmond, VA

Hi Sydnee,

Lumineers are a brand of porcelain veneer, and porcelain in general is very strong. If a veneer cracks, it’s likely because of poor bonding, rather than the material itself.

Lumineers are thinner than your usual porcelain veneer, but require a skilled dentist to make and place. In the wrong hands, they can look fake. Since they are a no-prep veneer, they can also look bulky if not bonded properly. Be sure to check your cosmetic dentist’s smile gallery first, to see if you like the look of Lumineers.

Before and after photos of smile makeovers are a good way to gauge a potential cosmetic dentist’s skill. Most dentists like their work because they get to fix problems, rather than create beautiful pieces of art. A true cosmetic dentist can combine aesthetics with functionality.

Some cosmetic dentists do not do Lumineers. Apart from requiring high levels of skill to place, they also require a special lab for processing, so some dentists opt not to work with them.  If you go to a cosmetic dentist who does not do Lumineers, it’s best not to press the issue; pushing a dentist to work with a material outside their comfort zone can have disastrous results for your smile.

This blog post is brought to you by Phoenix Lumineers provider, Dr. Hillary Peck. Dr. Peck is a general dentist with years of training in cosmetic dentistry and experience placing Lumineers.