Peck Family Dentistry Blog

Category: 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.

  • Can I switch to Lumineers instead of crowns?

    I was planning on getting dental crowns, but recently read about Lumineers.Can I get them instead of crowns, or am I stuck with crowns once I start that procedure?

    Lillian- San Diego

    Lillian,

    It depends on whether or not your dentist has already done the tooth preparation for your dental crowns. Once a tooth has been prepared for crowns, that is the only thing that will work on your teeth. However, if he hasn’t already shaved your teeth down, then you can switch to the Lumineers procedure.

    There are two possible hold-ups. The first is whether or not your dentist is familiar with the procedure. If not, you’ll need to find a Lumineers certified dentist. The second is whether those teeth have large fillings on them. If so, you’d need to do crowns instead of Lumineers. You can do a mixed procedure too: some crowns, some Lumineers.

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

  • My dentist stained my lumineers

    I spent over $15,000 on a smile makeover and my dentist put a stain on my Lumineers on purpose!  Do you know if I can fix this? He insists it is necessary to make it look natural, but if I wanted my natural teeth, I wouldn’t have spent this much money for new ones.

    Dana C. – Portsmouth, VA

    Dana,

    This is a typical issue. Someone who is not an artistic cosmetic dentist, but knows how to do a few cosmetic procedures is a dangerous thing.  While he may have been taught in dental school that it is important to make a smile look natural, people who get porcelain veneers are not after any smile. They want something stunning.

    Unfortunately, the only way to fix this is to get is to get new veneers. You’ll want to go to a different dentist though. I’d ask for a refund.  You may have to cover the lab fees, but seeing as you’re going to have to have the procedure re-done, he may agree to refund his chair time.

    When you go to an artistic cosmetic dentist, he may suggest something other than Lumineers. Don’t panic. Bear in mind that they are just one brand of porcelain veneers and he may know of a brand that will give you a better smile.

    I’m sorry you’ve had to go through such a tough, expensive lesson. Hopefully others will learn from what you have been through.

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

  • A reuninion knock-out

    Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.  I have always been insecure about my smile.  When it was time for my class 20 year reunion, I wanted to leave an impression. I decided the easiest thing I could do was to remake my smile.  I read about Lumineers and had a eight placed on my upper arch. The results were astounding. Before the makeover, my teeth were too small and the color was yellowed and uneven. Once the Lumineers were placed I couldn’t stop smiling.

    The increased confidence I got from my new smile gave me the boost I needed to get in shape. I’ve lost 35 pounds. When I got to my reunion, I was the class knock out.  Never in my life have I felt so beautiful. I can’t thank you  enough.

    A Hot Mamma.

     

  • Fixing mis-shapen teeth

    My teeth are shaped kind of funny. If I got dental crowns on them, would it fix them?

    Andrew- Kentucky

    Andrew,

    Have you considered getting Lumineers? They are able to change the shape color and size of your teeth. The reason I am suggesting those instead of dental crowns is because of the amount of tooth structure that is required to be removed for crowns.

    When you get dental crowns, your teeth have to be ground down quite a bit to make room for the crowns. With Lumineers, you only have to shave just a minimal amount of tooth structure.

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

  • Change My Tooth Shape

    Can you tell me what whether dental bonding can change the size of my teeth? I feel like my teeth are too small.

    Becky W.- Benton, AR

    Becky,

    It is possible for for dental bonding to change the size of your teeth. However, bonding is better for things like small gaps and chips. For a cosmetic procedure like you are wanting, you’d really want something that will last significantly longer than bonding.

    I would suggest you get Lumineers. They are an ultra thin brand of porcelain veneers. These can not only change the size of your teeth, but the color and shape as well. In some cases you won’t even need any tooth preparation.

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

  • Why a night guard with lumineers?

    I just spent a fortune on Lumineers and now my dentist thinks I need to buy a night guard. He said if I don’t they won’t stay bonded on. Is there anything else I’m going to have to get? I’m beginning to feel like I’m being set up for some kind of smile money pit.

    Eric C.- Nashville, TN

    Eric,

    If your Lumineers are bonded on correctly they will stay bonded on. I don’t like scare tactics and that sounds like what your dentist is using.There are reasons to get a night guard, but it depends on whether or not you are a tooth grinder or not.

    Did you and your dentist discuss a tooth grinding habit or has he seen evidence of grinding and/or clenching on  your teeth? If not, I wouldn’t really take his warning too seriously. Now if you do have a griding or clenching habit then a night guard will be a very important accessory. Without it you will end up chipping your Lumineers. When you spend that much money on a smile makeover, you want to protect your investment.

    Other than that, the only other thing I’d recommend for you to get for your Lumineers is Supersmile Toothpaste. It is a specialty toothpaste that is specifically designed for cosmetic work.  You can of course brush your teeth with any over the counter brand of toothpaste, but I highly recommend Supersmile for removing any stains from your Lumineers that you pick up from your food or drink.

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