Category Archives: Lumineers

Lumineers

Lumineers for a tooth gap

My boyfriend doesn’t like my tooth gap. He suggested I get something done about it. I talked to my dentist and he suggested lumineers. They’re awfully expensive. Is there another option?

Dana B. – Rhode Island

Dana,

I hope you won’t be offended if I say you should do something about about your boyfriend before you do your tooth gap. It’s fine if you want to fix it, but only if you want to. You shouldn’t have to change your appearance for anyone else.

There is another option if you don’t think you can afford lumineers. Dental bonding can close your tooth gap. There is a downside. It won’t last as long as lumineers.  Lumineers can last for a couple of decades or more. The dental bonding will only last a few years before it will have to be re-done. However, it can give you time to save up for something more permanent.

You can also get braces or invisalign to close the gap.

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

Lumineers

Lumineers for halloween

I want to go as a vampire for halloween and I want it to be REALLY realistic. Can I get lumineers that look like vampire teeth?

Steve C. – Portland

Steve,

Yes, you can get lumineers to look like vampire teeth. However, you’ll spend a lot of money to do so and it’s permanent.  Some dentists are willing to do this, but some aren’t. Now, if you want to spend the next 20 years or so looking like a vampire, then this is a great solution for you. If not, I’d look for a different solution.

You could get dental bonding, which is less expensive. You’ll have to pay twice. Once to get them and once to get them removed.  Many dentists will make you sign something that promises you will come back to have them removed.  Mosts dentists aren’t comfortable creating permanent “vampires”.

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

Lumineers

Boyfriend got vampire teeth…I hate it!

My boyfriend did something super sweet and unbelievable stupid. He knows I am a twilight fan. For our anniversary he got vampire teeth put in. He said they’re lumineers. Is there any way to get rid of them? I like twilight, but I wasn’t really interested in dating a vampire. I just thought Robert Pattinson was hot.  Now, if he could get Pattinson’s hair…that’d be awesome.

Denae- Maine

Denae,

I don’t believe I have ever laughed so much from a blog question in my life. I hope you don’t mind, but I showed my wife…and my neighbor.

Here is what I suggest for your fella. He’ll need to have his Lumineers re-done. Now, I don’t know how wealthy your boyfriend is, but he did something pricey for your anniversary. It won’t be cheap to change them either. I recommend his dentist only change the “pointy” teeth, That will at least limit his expense on the fix.

Sorry I can’t help in regard to Mr. Pattinson’s hair.

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

Lumineers

Do I have to get my teeth ground for lumineers?

I want to get a new smile with Lumineers, but I don’t want my teeth to be ground down. Is that really necessary?

Ginny D. – Virginia

Ginny,

I think you may be confusing Lumineers with dental crowns. Your teeth do have to be ground down with dental crowns. It’s different with Lumineers. You may not even need any tooth preparation at all. Sometimes, however, there is a need for moderate tooth preparation.

It isn’t anything like grinding your teeth down though. Instead it is maybe the depth of a fingernail or less. Most people can’t tell the difference in size between a prepped or unprepped tooth.

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

Lumineers

Lumineers and teeth grinding

I’ve never been happy with the way my smile looks. I’ve heard great things about Lumineers and would love to try them, but I also grind my teeth. Does that mean I’m not a candidate? Also, if that means I can’t get them and I don’t tell my dentist about the grinding, how long will the Lumineers last? I’m not against having them replaced at some point, but not in the very near future. I just don’t want to be told I can’t have them. I’m finally ready to do it and I’m afraid my dentist will say no.

Thanks,

Erin

 

Dear Erin,

Honesty is the best policy any time you seek medical advice. Grinding your teeth may or may not exclude you from having Lumineers done, but that’s something your dentist will need to diagnose.

Grinding and clenching will certainly reduce the longevity of your Lumineers, but it’s not possible to predict if or when they’ll fail. Impact from grinding your teeth while you sleep can be minimized or stopped with a night guard.  There are other appliances that may help during the day as well and a number of relaxation techniques that will help you overcome the daytime urge to grind or clench.

Your dentist may also recommend an alternate to Lumineers that will give you the beautiful esthetic results you want, but will stand up better to the stress you intend to put on them. Don’t think you have to go with a specific brand or style, just because it’s what you know.

One more thing to consider is that no restoration will last forever.  At some point, regardless of what you choose, it will need to be replaced. If you don’t take proper care with your restorations, they can fail in a very short period of time, but well-cared for, well-placed restorations can last decades or more. Have an honest discussion with your dentist about your circumstances and what you’d like to achieve and see what he suggests. You will be glad you did in the long run.

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

Lumineers

Are Lumineers Reversible?

My dentist has learned how to do Lumineers.  He wants to give me Lumineers for a discount in order to build up his picture gallery. He told me it was reversible if I didn’t like it. I’m just doing a quick check to make sure that is the case.

Cyndy W. – Michigan

Cyndy,

You’re dentist isn’t being thoroughly honest. While technically, you could consider Lumineers reversible because you can drill them off. That process does damage your tooth structure, which will require a seperate treatment to repair.

I think this is a disaster waiting to happen. To get certified to place Lumineers, you just have to pass a written exam.  I’d ask him more questions about his advanced cosmetic dentistry training. You don’t want a smile you’re embarassed to show publicly.

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

Lumineers

Is Lumineers the Best Brand?

I am finally ready to do something about my teeth and am getting procelain veneers.  I’m trying to figure out which brand. Is Lumineers the best brand?

Denise L. – Albion, AR

Denise,

I hope you will forgive me, but I think you are going about this completely the wrong way. Instead of picking the best veneer, you need to pick the best dentist.

Each different brand of porcelain veneer is different. They all have there own strengths and weaknesses.  These differences are known by a good cosmetic dentist.

Lumineers are a good brand. They work well with some patients, but others may need a different brand depending on their case and the type of smile design.

Your task would be to find a good cosmetic dentist and let them help you determine which brand would best fit you.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lumineers

My Lumineers are too dark

I got some lumineers, but they are darker than my regular teeth. My dentist says they’re fine, but it is obvious they are not. Do I have any recourse?

Pamela H. – Boston, MA

Pamela,

If by recourse you mean a refund, it is possible, but may be difficult.  Technically, if the Lumineers are functional, then he isn’t under any professional obligation to refund your money. Depending on his personal code of ethics, he may give you a hard time.

But, that doesn’t mean things are hopeless. You can go to a different cosmetic dentist and get his/her opinion on the Lumineers. If they agree with you, they could write to the dentist and put a little pressure on him.  He may give you at least a partial refund to protect his reputation.

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

Lumineers

Can I get vampire teeth with lumineers?

I am a huge Anne Rice fan and wondered if you can get your teeth shaped like a vampires permanently with lumineers?

-Armand

Armand,

It is possible to get your teeth shaped like a vampires. We can lengthen your canines and shape them into points. I’m not sure how comfortable that would be for you. It is bound to cause some soreness on your lower lip. Plus, it might throw off your bite a little, causing maloclussion.

If you get it done with Lumineers (or another brand of porcelain veneers), you need to be aware that they will be bonded on. In other words, you’ll have vampire teeth 24/7 for at least ten to twenty years.  Think that through. In that amount of time you will likely have children and even grandchildren.  Though it might seem fun now to have vampire teeth now, will you always feel that way?

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

 

Lumineers

How Can I Be Sure I Won’t Wind Up With Horse Teeth After Veneers?

I’ve really wanted to get veneers for quite some time. I’m continually self-conscious of my stained and cracked front teeth and that makes me examine the teeth of the people around me more. Sometimes, I look at someone’s smile and it’s gorgeous and natural, but other times, it’s obvious they’ve had work done. This scares me. I’d hate to spend gobs of money, only to wind up with horse teeth. How can I be sure I’ll have natural-looking, beautiful teeth if I have veneers done?

Thanks,

Emma- Franklin, TN

Dear Emma,

Mr. Ed had a great smile, but it’s understandable that you don’t want one to match.  When you invest in cosmetic dentistry, you’re investing in yourself and you deserve to have a smile you are proud of.

You might appreciate Lumineers, which are thinner than traditional veneers and because of this, often look very natural.  However, it’s best not to get your heart set on any one type of treatment.  Instead, choose a great dentist and lean on their cosmetic expertise.  If you go this route, your dentist can help you assess which treatment will best give you the results you want.  Be sure that in your initial consultation, you bring up your concerns about having bulky horse teeth, because each option has benefits and limitations and your dentist will need to know all he can about your ideal smile before you begin.

Mr. Ed is quoted as saying “Never send a man to do a horse’s job,” but with those chompers of his, I also have a feeling he’d agree that you should never choose just any dentist to do cosmetic work as well.

This blog is brought to you by Phoenix Dentist Dr. Kevin PEck.