Tag Archives: Phoenix Cosmetic Dentist

What should I know before getting Lumineers?

I’m thinking about getting Lumineers. I’ve seen them advertised and they always look great. Are they too good to be true? I’m wondering if there is anything I should know prior to making an appointment.

Thank you,
Becky

Dear Becky,
You made a smart choice by asking about Lumineers. Before you commit to the procedure, keep these four pieces of information in mind.

  1. “Lumineers” is a general concept that has been given a branded name. To give you the back story, DenMat is the company that makes Lumineers and claims to be the first to create these veneers. While some may argue this, they were certainly the first to market the product well. But, there are dozens of companies that now make these veneers, some of which are labs which do not use any kind of branded trade name.
  2. The thin veneers may or may not be the right option for you.  One of the main advantages to these veneers is that they are able to be placed with a little adjustment to your tooth’s natural structure. However, sometimes the veneers are not thick enough to make an even smile, while other times, they’re too thick and awkward. Be sure to speak to a cosmetic dentist to see what will best fit your needs.
  3. A dentist’s skills are more important than the brand. Not only did the company that makes Lumineers market to patients, but they also marketed to general dentists, as a way to include cosmetic dentistry in their practice. This is a great feature for those dentists naturally gifted in aesthetics but gives false confidence to those who are not. The majority of dentists need extensive training to produce cosmetically beautiful results, but many may elect to pass on this training. This results in the use of this method without the proper training, yielding bulky teeth that do not look natural.
  4. Searching for a skilled cosmetic dentist will get better results than searching for a procedure. Like any profession, dentists have different strengths and weaknesses. Some are skilled more for crowns and oral surgery, while you should see different dentists for overcoming dental fear or to get a smile makeover. For the best results, search for a dentist who has devoted a great deal of time to become a skilled cosmetic dentist. Check the doctor’s credentials and extra training. Look at his or her smile gallery. Read reviews.

Best of luck to you!

This blog is sponsored by the office of Phoenix Lumineers provider, Dr. Hillary Peck.

Lumineers with Dental Problems?

I wondered if it’s still possible for me to get Lumineers if I have dental problems? I’ve got some mild gum disease as well as a tooth grinding habit. Am I still able to get my smile makeover?

Dana

Dear Dana,

Lumineers Advertisement

You’ve asked some great questions. Let’s start with your gum disease. While this won’t keep you from getting a smile makeover, it does absolutely need to be treated. If it progresses, you will eventually lose your teeth. Often people don’t realize how serious periodontal disease is. I would make this treatment a priority.

I’d love to know what type of protection your dentist has provided for you with your tooth grinding. As you grind your teeth, it wears them down. This leads to decay, cracked teeth, and even wearing them down to nubs, requiring a full-mouth reconstruction.

This will be a problem with Lumineers. Grinders tend to break off and chip their veneers. There is a simple solution. A custom-fitted night guard will protect both your teeth and your veneers, giving you a gorgeous smile for many years.

Are Lumineers the Right Choice?

We’ve noticed that many patients who want to remake their smile ask for Lumineers specifically. This is because they’re highly marketed. However, they are just one brand of porcelain veneers. Many cosmetic dentists don’t feel they are the best brand. A lot of that has to do with their lab, which tends not to have the best results.

Other brands of porcelain veneers allow the dentist to choose where they have the veneers made, but the Luminners brand is owned by DenMat and they insist their lab be used.

If you want a beautiful smile makeover, my suggestion is you allow the dentist to choose the brand and not insist on Lumineers. They’ll know what brand will best give you the look you’re trying to achieve.

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

Can Lumineers Give Me a Smile Like Miley Cyrus?

I love Miley Cyrus’ smile. She’s my fav singer.  I’ve seen a Lumineers commercial that had a smile which looked a lot like Miley’s. Did she get that by Lumineers or is it natural? If I got Lumineers, could my smile look like hers?

Zoe D.

Dear Zoe,

I’m going to post two pictures of Miley Cyrus.

Miley Cyrus before smile makeover
Miley Cyrus 2006
Miley Cyrus after smile makeover
Miley Cyrus 2007

It’s obvious by the change in her smile from 2006 to 2007 that she’s had some type of porcelain veneers done, along with some possible gum contouring. Whether that was done with Lumineers or not is hard to know without her or her dentist giving out personal information. Lumineers are simply one brand of porcelain veneers. There are several brands, each having different pros and cons and will contribute different things to a smile design.

As to whether or not you can get a smile designed to look exactly like Miley Cyrus’, the answer is yes. Porcelain veneers can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth to create any look you want. Bear in mind that everyone’s facial shape and skin tone are different. That means while you may have the exact same smile design, no smile (no matter how identical) looks the same on every person.

Talk to your dentist about your desires. If he says he can’t do it, don’t pressure him. You won’t like the results. Instead, simply ask him to recommend a cosmetic dentist whom he thinks can. It doesn’t mean you’re switching dentists. It just means you’ll go to this new one for advanced cosmetic work and your regular dentist for everything else.

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

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.

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.