Tag Archives: Phoenix Lumineers

Lumineers

Do my teeth have to be shaved? I got lumineers so they didn’t.

I purposefully told my dentist I wanted lumineers because I was told they were no prep. Now my dentist said he’ll need to shave my teeth. That is not what was advertised.  Did Lumineers lie about the non-prep or my dentist about needing to shave my teeth?

Douglass D.- Montana

Douglass,

Neither are lying to you.  Lumineers can be placed without any tooth preparation. The advertisements are true. However, as is true with many things in life, just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should.

If your dentist is telling you he’ll need to do preparation on your tooth, he has a reason.  It’s likely that your smile would look bulky and unnatural without some tooth preparation.

Though you may have heard the term shaving, that sounds much worse than it is.  In reality, it removes about the depth of your fingernail. In fact, there is so little tooth structure removed from a ttoh, that you can’t tell the difference by looking.

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

Lumineers

Lumineers for backs of teeth

I was thinking of getting Lumineers, but wondered if they’d cover all of my teeth or just the visible part of my teeth. I have pretty stained stained teeth on the back from coffee.  Will Lumineers help with that?

Andrew K. – Washington

Andrew,

Lumineers are simply a brand of porcelain veneers. So they can do anything that other brands can do.  Covering the back of your teeth is not part of that. It just covers the front of your teeth.

If you wanted to cover the back of your teeth, you would need to get a dental crown. That is an extreme procedure to do to deal wtih the stains on the back of your teeth.  It takes off a lot of the structure of your teeth.

If you’re looking for a smile makeoever, you can still get lumineers. The stains on your teeth can easily be dealt with by a good cleaning and some teeth whitening.

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

Lumineers

Teeth like headlights

My bff got some lumineers. There shape is good, which was a positive change. My only critisism is that they are too bright. It’s like looking at car headlights straight on. If I wanted to get Lumineers too, is there a way to keep that from happening?

Andrea K. –  Alabama

Andrea,

Color, like shape, is the patient’s choice. If your friend’s teeth were extremely bright, it is because that is the color she chose.

You’ll be free to choose something less bright, if you choose. I’d just be very clear with your dentist about what you’re looking for in your new smile when you go in for your Lumineers.

Be sure to speak up and try them on with a temporary paste before they are bonded on permanently. That way if you aren’t happy with them, changes can be made before it is too late.

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

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.