Tag Archives: porcelain veneer

Can I Place New Lumineers Over My Old Ones?

Hi,

I got Lumineers placed on my teeth years ago, and they are not as white as I’d like them to be. I know that porcelain crowns can’t be whitened with tooth whitening or bleaching, but I was wondering about something else I could do. Is it possible to place new, whiter Lumineers over my old ones? Is it recommended? I just want my smile to be brighter.

Thank you,

Julia, from Accident, Maryland.

 

Hi Julia,

Lumineers are an ultra-thin type of porcelain veneer marketed as a no-prep procedure, meaning they are bonded directly to your tooth without any surface preparation. Your dentist should have taken your smile concerns into consideration while making your Lumineers. Not getting the color you wanted is probably a result of your dentist lacking experience in cosmetic dentistry. A true cosmetic dentist would take your aesthetic concerns as seriously as your practical ones.

Fortunately, you can get a brighter smile if you re-do your old Lumineers. Putting new ones over your current ones will not save you any time or money, and may also feel too thick when placed in your mouth. Bonding Lumineers on top of existing ones or porcelain veneer increases the risk of failure. Also, the thin margin between where the Lumineers meet would be more prone to staining than if it were placed over a natural tooth.

So to improve the whiteness and look of your smile, you should seek out a cosmetic dentist to replace your Lumineers. Cosmetic dentistry isn’t a specialty recognized by the ADA, but some dentists have received extensive post-graduate training in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, and have the experience to help your case.

Also, be open minded when seeking a new dentist for your Lumineers – not all dentists are comfortable using them, and you may find that a different type of porcelain veneer is best for you.

This blog post is brought to you by Phoenix Lumineers provider, Dr. Hillary Peck. Dr. Peck is a general dentist who has considerable experience with cosmetic and restorative dentistry.