Category Archives: Lumineers

Lumineers

Groupon for Lumineers? Likely a Bad Idea

I’ve become a Groupon addict. We can get things we’ve never been able to afford through this marvelous group innovation. Today I saw a Groupon for Lumineers. The price is fantastic! I’ve always wanted to get my teeth more attractive and this looks like an ideal way to do it. I just wanted to check with a dentist first to get a professional opinion.

Lacey L.

Dear Lacey,

There are a few things to consider before you hit that “Deal” button. First, have you had a consultation to make sure you are a candidate for porcelain veneers? Not everyone is a candidate. If you purchase that deal and it turns out you can’t get them, there are no refunds.

Second, what do you know about the dentist who will do the work? Not all cosmetic dentists are created equal. Lumineers are a bit notorious for being marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easy to place. This can lead to a poorly done smile makeover.

You’ll really want to research their ability to give a beautiful smile makeover. Ask to view some of their before and after photos of cases they’ve performed. They should have some type of smile gallery. This is generally examples of their absolute best work, so if you’re not thrilled with what you see, I certainly wouldn’t move forward.

Something else to consider is that Lumineers are just a brand of porcelain veneers. It may be that a different brand would produce better results for your particular smile.

While there are some areas of dentistry where it’s okay to just look for the most affordable dentist, cosmetic work isn’t one of them. You want to find the dentist who can give you the best smile possible. Groupon will limit you to this dentist offering the deal. So, do your due diligence to be sure you won’t end up with a lemon of a smile makeover.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Lumineers

Help! I Swallowed My Lumineers

I have had nothing but problems with my Lumineers makeover. Even the day I came home with my new smile, three of the six of them fell off.  I went straight back to the dentist and he put them back on.  They lasted a few weeks and came off again. He re-bonded them a second time.  They lasted a short time longer and then two more came off, but this time I accidentally swallowed them because I was in the middle of eating a birthday cake. I talked to my dentist, but he said he can’t bond them on if I don’t have them and wants me to pay for two more Lumineers. Is this right? Should they keep falling off like this?

Janice M.

Dear Janice,

Absolutely not! Your Lumineers should stay bonded onto your teeth. Even the word “bonding” indicates they should stay on.  Most dentists never have a veneer of any brand fall off, let alone constantly falling off every few weeks.

Your best bet, at this point, is to ask for a refund. He’s not given you the minimum of care, which is the procedure actually stays on.

If he gives you a problem with this, you can always tell him you’re going to get a second opinion of his work from another cosmetic dentist. Most dentists want to look good in front of their peers. He’ll likely be more willing to give you a refund if not doing so would be embarrassing to him.

One of the problems with Lumineers is they’re heavily marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists. As your dentist doesn’t even seem to know the basics of bonding, I’d say he falls into that category.

Don’t be surprised if whatever cosmetic dentist you end up after this one recommends a different brand. That’s okay. Lumineers is just one brand.  Find a dentist who has done beautiful work and trust them to know the best brand for your smile.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Lumineers

Dentist Won’t Give Me the Color Lumineers I Want

My dentist agreed to give me Lumineers. In fact, he even suggested it when I told him I was interested in remaking my smile. Our disagreement is about the color. I want them very white. But, he insists they need a stain or they won’t look natural. I don’t want to do this until we’re in agreement. Is there some way to convince him? Or is it the Lumineers that are the problem? Do I need a different brand?

Mandy B.

Dear Mandy,

I think you need a different dentist. He doesn’t seem to understand cosmetic dentistry. In dental school, we’re taught that a stain needs to be placed in order to make it look natural. But, let’s be honest, if you wanted your teeth to look natural, why would you get a smile makeover? Cosmetic dentistry is different than general dentistry. The key is to create the smile your patient wants. IF they want a bright, white smile, that’s what they should receive.

To answer your other question, you can achieve brightness with Lumineers or any other brand of porcelain veneers. You’ll probably need to find another dentist in order to accomplish this. Your dentist is too set in the older ways of doing things.

You can do a search for a cosmetic dentist in your area. Then ask to see some of their before and after pictures to see if you like the type of results they get with their cosmetic work. After that, I’d check with their reviews on some sites such as Google or Yelp. This will help you get an idea of they have a friendly chairside manner.

It’s perfectly fine to go to your regular dentist for all your general needs. Then go to someone else for more specialized cosmetic work.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Lumineers

My Dentist Is Trying to Force Lumineers on Me

I am feeling really pressured by my dentist. I told him I wanted to deal with my tooth gap, but don’t want braces. I’m too old for a mouth full of metal. He keeps insisting I get Lumineers. Six of them! That’s incredibly expensive. The tooth gap is only between my two front teeth. Is that really my only solution?

Lisa W. – Indiana

Lisa,

Wow! Dr. Peck does Lumineers, but just for smile makeovers. There are much less invasive and less costly solutions for something as simple as a tooth gap. First, though, let’s address braces. I certainly understand you not wanting a mouth full of metal, especially as an adult. I don’t know if you’re aware, but dental technology has improved significantly. We now have much better options available for orthodontics. Invisalign, for instance, can straighten your teeth with aligners people can’t see, even at a conversational distance. They can also do it in half the time of traditional braces.

But, if you’ve got your heart set against any form of orthodontics you still have another option. In fact, the typical solution for a tooth gap is to use dental bonding. Bonding uses the composite resin, like what you’d get in a white filling. This will not close the gap, like orthodontics, but it will fill it in so it looks closed. You’ll need to be certain to go to a cosmetic dentist, so you’re sure they know how to match the material to your tooth. You want it to be seamless.

While Lumineers are a massive overtreatment for what you’re trying to do, there is an exception. If there are other things about your smile you want to change, Lumineers can do anything you want. They can make your teeth longer or wider. They can change the color of your teeth. They can even change the shape. It truly can re-make the entire character of your smile.

If you get either of the last two options, their color is permanent, so if you’re not happy with the current brightness and color of your smile, now is the time to change that. Get your teeth whitened, then your dentist can match your bonding or Lumineers to the new spectacular color of your teeth.

Never let a dentist pressure you into a procedure, especially a cosmetic procedure. Lumineers are pricey. They can be worth it for what they’re designed to do, but using them for a simple tooth gap is an overtreatment. It sounds to me like your dentist is just try to make a quick buck at your expense.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Lumineers

Lumineers or Crowns for a Tooth Gap?

I have a gap between two of my teeth. I’d done some research. Before you roll your eyes I did go to my dentist with an open mind. My research said that Lumineers were the best solution. The teeth are healthy, so I figured something that didn’t require removing tooth structure was best. My dentist felt that Lumineers are flawed. I told him I was married to the brand. He could use any brand he wanted. He said all veneers have t he same problem. He suggested we do crowns and we do it right away. I’m hesitating because it means grinding down healthy teeth. What would you do?

Macy L. – Colorado

Macy,

There’s nothing wrong with doing research. In your case, you had a good idea. Why remove healthy tooth structure? Your dentist was being honest too. If he says Lumineers or other brands of porcelain veneers will be problematic, it’s likely true— in his case. Not all dentists are skilled in cosmetic work. When that’s the case, they tend to go directly to porcelain crowns.

You have a couple of choices. 1. You can go along and do the procedure your dentist is comfortable with. Don’t press him to do the Lumineers. He won’t know what he’s doing and it won’t turn out the way you want. 2. You can go to a different, more skilled, cosmetic dentist. Then you can get the procedure you want. There’s another option that hasn’t been mentioned. Dental bonding is a good solution to a tooth gap. It doesn’t last as long as Lumineers, but dental bonding is significantly less expensive.

I would get Lumineers if you were interested in fixing more than just the gap. It can change the shape, size, and color of the teeth, completely remaking your smile. To me, that would make the expense of Lumineers worth it. Other than that, I’d likely go with the bonding procedure. Though, it’s up to you. Maybe you’d just rather have a procedure that won’t have to be re-done every few years.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Lumineers

Can I Get a Refund for Broken and Discolored Lumineers?

I had lumineers placed on my top six teeth. Five went on fine, but the sixth one broke as he tried to place it. Then, when the replacement Lumineer came in, it didn’t match the others. Can I just get a refund?

Jenna L. – MIssouri

Jenna,

IF you are otherwise happy with how the rest of the Lumineers look, I might give your dentist a chance to make it right first. If you don’t like the way they look overall, then, yes, I’d ask for a refund and go to a different cosmetic dentist for your smile makeover.

With Lumineers, especially, you often end up with an inexperienced cosmetic dentist doing the work. They’re advertised to general dentists as being an easy cosmetic procedure to place. While they may be easy to place, getting them beautiful is something completely different. That requires more skill.

If you decide to go for a refund and get a different cosmetic dentist. Let me suggest you look at some of their before and after photos. Also, many good cosmetic dentists offer a beautiful smile guarantee. In Dr. Peck’s case, he doesn’t permanently bond on your veneers until you’re completely happy with them.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Lumineers

Two of My Lumineers are Changing Color

I got six Lumineers. I was happy with them, but two of them seemed a little darker than the others. The dentist assured me they were fine  and the difference in their appearance was just a matter of the lighting in his office. However, even at home they look darker and seem to be getting darker every day. There is a bluish tint to them. What do I do?

Elisabeth T. – Missouri

Elisabeth,

Based on what you’ve said, and bear in mind that I haven’t examined you, it sounds like there is not a good seal on two of the Lumineers. That would allow food and drink to seep underneath which is not only causing the stained appearance, but will lead to decay.

Talk to your dentist and give him a chance to make it right. If he seems unwilling, you can always get a second opinion. Pressure from a peer’s opinion saying that it is improperly sealed may persuade him to make it right.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Lumineers

Are Lumineers Visible?

I have teeth in need of a smile makeover. I suggested Lumineers, but my dentist is against it. He says Lumineers or any brand of porcelain veneers aren’t good enough. He told me that people can tell when you’re wearing them. Instead he suggested cosmetic crowns. I’m not crazy about that, because even though my teeth are ugly, they are healthy. I don’t want to get rid of healthy tooth structure.

Kelli M. – South Dakota

Kelli,

You’re certainly thinking more clearly than your dentist. There is no reason to grind down healthy tooth structure, especially since he’s wrong about Lumineers.

When porcelain veneers are done properly, they are indistinguishable from natural teeth. They are the ideal treatment for a smile makeover. But, it has to be done right.

Don’t pressure your dentist to do this though.  You won’t get the smile you were hoping for.  My suggestion is you look for someone else to do your smile makeover. Ask to see their smile gallery to make sure they do beautiful work.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Kevin Peck.

Lumineers

Is My Dentist Cutting Corners by Not Using Lumineers?

I went to my dentist to discuss getting a smile makeover. I want a movie star smile and told him I wanted to get Lumineers. He told me he doesn’t do Lumineers, but uses something similar. He says they’re better, but I’m worried he’s just trying to cut corners to have a bigger profit.  Will these off-brands give me as good a smile?

Rebekah S. – Albany, NY

Rebekah,

Did your dentist tell you they were an off-brand or are you just worried they are?  I realize that Lumineers have a lot of name recognition, but they’re only one brand of porcelain veneers. Many of the other brands are equally good.

It may be your dentist is more experienced with working with one brand over another. Or, he may like the aesthetics of a certain brand over Lumineers.

The important thing to remember about a smile makeover, is not what brand you use, but the skill of the dentist.  Just make sure he is willing to place them with a temporary paste first and make any changes you want before permanently bonding them on.

This blog is brought to you by Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.

Lumineers

My Lumineers need to be whitened

I had Lumineers done a few years ago. I think they’re Lumineers. He called them no-prep veneers and direct bonding. I paid a small fortune for them and didn’t expect them to need whitening this quickly. He indicated they would last for many years.  How do I take care of them getting whitened? I’ve since moved and can’t drive four hours to his office, so I’d like to know what procedure I need and have it done locally.

Louisa – Seattle

Louisa,

There’s something that bothers me about your question. You said he called them Lumineers (which can sometimes be no-prep veneers) and direct bonding. Those are two very different things.  Your dentist indicated they would last for many years, which would indicate some type of porcelain veneer (such as Lumineers), but you’re saying they’ve only lasted a few years, which indicates dental bonding.

The first step is to figure out which procedure you actually received. Go to a good cosmetic dentist in your new area. Let them look at your teeth, they’ll be able to tell right away what procedure you received. Also, tell them how much you paid, so he or she can determine if there’s a chance you were scammed.

Whichever procedure it was, whitening doesn’t work on any type of cosmetic work. Your only solution is to have the procedure re-done.

This blog is brought to you by Drs. Kevin and Hillary Peck.