Tag Archives: porcelain veneers

Lumineers

Do Lumineers Cause Cavities?

I spoke to my dentist about the possibility of getting Lumineers. I really wanted to get a prettier smile. My dentist said he was certified in Lumineers but he’s only done them twice and will never do them again. He said both times his patients developed cavities underneath the Lumineers. Do they cause cavities? Do I have a chance of getting a pretty smile? How do the celebrities not get cavities under their Lumineers?

Franny W.

Dear Franny,

An advertisement for Lumineers

Here’s the thing about Lumineers. They’re marketed to inexperienced dentists. It appears your dentist is one of those. Lumineers is just a brand of porcelain veneers. The only way a patient can get a cavity from Lumineers is if your dentist doesn’t bond them on properly.

When the bond isn’t flush to the gums and correctly on the tooth, food can get trapped between the veneers and your teeth. That will lead to decay. I’m guessing that’s what happened with the two cases your dentist did.

You can get a beautiful smile with porcelain veneers, but probably not with this dentist.

How to Get a Beautiful Smile With or Without Lumineers

The key to a beautiful smile is a dentist with skill in giving smile makeovers. Ask to see before and after pictures of cases they’ve actually done. Make sure you like the type of results they’ve gotten. Additionally, make sure they will never permanently bond on any type of veneers without you seeing them with a temporary place and giving your approval that you like the results. This is a reasonable request and any true cosmetic dentist would consider it a no-brainer.

What about those patients who can’t afford porcelain veneers? Are they doomed to smiles that looked aged and exhausted? Absolutely not. The simple procedure of teeth whitening can take years off your appearance. It’s very affordable and if there are other things you want to improve, will give you something you’re proud of while you save up for veneers.

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

Lumineers

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.

Affordable Dentist

Is There Such a Thing as an Affordable Smile Makeover?

I don’t make a lot of money. In fact, I’m pretty close to the poverty line, thankfully on the plus side of it though. I’ve wanted to improve the appearance of my smile for years. Everything I read says smile makeovers need porcelain veneers, which are way out of my budget. Is there such a thing as an affordable smile makeover?

Mary Anne L.

Dear Mary Anne,

Scottsdale Affordable Dentist

It’s admirable that you’re working toward improving your smile despite financial challenges. Your smile is an investment. A beautiful smile exudes confidence, which in turn helps you to be more successful in dealing with peers.

If you were getting a top of the line smile makeover, then yes, porcelain veneers are the way to go.  There are affordable dentists who might be willing to let you pay out your smile makeover, but each dentist has their own policy in regards to what they’ll accept payments on. If they don’t take payments on cosmetic procedures, Care Credit is always an option.

Also, there are other cosmetic procedures that don’t include porcelain veneers which can make a huge difference in your smile. One of the most affordable things you can do is get your teeth whitened. It’s cost effective while taking years off your appearance. It’s also simple to do and can fit into almost anyone’s schedule.

Of course, a lot of what would help depends on what you perceive is wrong with your teeth. If you have chips or gaps, dental bonding is an affordable way to close those.

I hope this helps you. Talk to your dentist about specific issues. He or she may have some remarkably creative solutions.

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

Lumineers

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.

Lumineers

Are Lumineers Visible?

I have teeth in need of a smile makeover. I suggested Lumineers, but my dentist is against it. He says Lumineers or any brand of porcelain veneers aren’t good enough. He told me that people can tell when you’re wearing them. Instead he suggested cosmetic crowns. I’m not crazy about that, because even though my teeth are ugly, they are healthy. I don’t want to get rid of healthy tooth structure.

Kelli M. – South Dakota

Kelli,

You’re certainly thinking more clearly than your dentist. There is no reason to grind down healthy tooth structure, especially since he’s wrong about Lumineers.

When porcelain veneers are done properly, they are indistinguishable from natural teeth. They are the ideal treatment for a smile makeover. But, it has to be done right.

Don’t pressure your dentist to do this though.  You won’t get the smile you were hoping for.  My suggestion is you look for someone else to do your smile makeover. Ask to see their smile gallery to make sure they do beautiful work.

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

Lumineers

Is My Dentist Cutting Corners by Not Using Lumineers?

I went to my dentist to discuss getting a smile makeover. I want a movie star smile and told him I wanted to get Lumineers. He told me he doesn’t do Lumineers, but uses something similar. He says they’re better, but I’m worried he’s just trying to cut corners to have a bigger profit.  Will these off-brands give me as good a smile?

Rebekah S. – Albany, NY

Rebekah,

Did your dentist tell you they were an off-brand or are you just worried they are?  I realize that Lumineers have a lot of name recognition, but they’re only one brand of porcelain veneers. Many of the other brands are equally good.

It may be your dentist is more experienced with working with one brand over another. Or, he may like the aesthetics of a certain brand over Lumineers.

The important thing to remember about a smile makeover, is not what brand you use, but the skill of the dentist.  Just make sure he is willing to place them with a temporary paste first and make any changes you want before permanently bonding them on.

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

Pediatric Dentistry

Questions from a child

Hi my name is Neil and I’m going to the dentist for the first time. I had some questions and my mom said the best thing to do would be to ask a dentist. So, she’s typing my questions to you.

  1. Will it hurt?
  2. What happens if my teeth ever get twisted?
  3. What happens if my teeth look like a cows? (My mom doesn’t want to ask this one, but I made her promise).

Thanks, Neil

Hi Neil,

Great questions! (Even the one about the cow).

  1. Usually children’s dentist appointments don’t hurt, especially first ones. The dentist just checks out that your teeth are growing in healthy. A special helper called a hygienist will give your teeth a gentle cleaning and take off any bacteria. Most children like going to the dentist.  (Some even give treats at the end of the appointment)
  2. If your teeth come in twisted, your dentist will suggest that when you’re old enough you get braces. Those gently fix your teeth into their proper position.
  3. Hmmm….that’s a new question for me.  I think if you had cow’s teeth (and didn’t like them), when you were old enough you could get them to look different with porcelain veneers.

I hope you really enjoy your first dental appointment. I bet it will be awesome!!!

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

Lumineers

Can I have miracles done on my teeth?

I’m hoping for a miracle. I have to go to a reunion and my ex will be there. He’s always insulted me about my teeth. They’re chipped, misshappen and need to be whitened. Plus, there is a tiny gap between my front teeth.  IS there some miracle that will fix all of them? Fairly quickly…like within six months?

Meg E.  – Anderson, IN

Meg,

Yes, I actually have a solution for you. Lumineers, a brand of porcelain veneers, can fix all the things you mentioned, in just two appointments.

A cosmetic procedure, they can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth. Your chips will be gone, the shape can be made natural and beautiful, the gap will be glosed, and they can be as white as you want them.

You’ll need to find a dentist who is skilled in placing them, but in the end you’ll have a smile you love….and your ex will be eating his heart out.

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

Lumineers

Permanent Vampire Teeth

Halloween is coming up.  I can find a lot of dentists that are willing to give me temporary vampire teeth, but none that seem to be willing to do permanent. I wanted to get lumineers shaped like vampires.  Do you have any lumineer dentist recommendations?

Ben L. – Forest City, AR

Ben,

I think you’ll have a very hard time finding a dentist who’s willing to give you permanent vampire teeth. The reason for that is the danger it poses not just to yourself, but to other people. You’ll find plenty of dentists willing to place temporary ones, but  Lumineers are permanent.

The lumineers company has a list of lumineers certified dentists. You could look up the ones in your area and just start calling down the list.

If your heart is set on it and you can’t find a lumineers dentist to do it, you could just call around and see if another cosmetic dentist will do it that places porcelain veneers. You’re not limited to the lumineers brand.

I honestly wouln’t hold out too much hope for permanent teeth though.

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