Tag Archives: porcelain veneers

Affordable Dentist

My dentist doesn’t understand I can’t afford his recommendation

I have a chip on my tooth. I’ve not really had money to fix it, but I’ve been offered a great PR job on the condition I fix my tooth. It’s a reasonable request as I’ll be in front of a camera a lot. It will be worth, it, but I just don’t have the money to do an expensive treatment yet. My dentist wants me to get a Lumineer to fix it, but that is way over my budget. Isn’t there any other option?

Brooke S.- Oregon

Brooke,

I get frustrated when I hear about scenarios like yours. A dentist has an ethical responsibility to give patients all their options, not just the ones that make them the most money.

Dentist’s need to understand that not everybody works on the same type of budget and might need more affordable options for their dental treatment.

You do have another option. It’s possible your dentist doesn’t know how to do it and that isn’t why he mentioned it, but he had a repsonsibility to let you know about the option regardless. Have you looked into dental bodning? It uses composite material to repair your chip.  It doesn’t last as long as a porcelain veneer (Lumineers are a brand of porcelain veneers), but it is considerably less expensive.

It’s a least an option that will allow you to get your new job and then you can save up for the cadillac of repairs.

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

Lumineers

Can I get vampire teeth with lumineers?

I am a huge Anne Rice fan and wondered if you can get your teeth shaped like a vampires permanently with lumineers?

-Armand

Armand,

It is possible to get your teeth shaped like a vampires. We can lengthen your canines and shape them into points. I’m not sure how comfortable that would be for you. It is bound to cause some soreness on your lower lip. Plus, it might throw off your bite a little, causing maloclussion.

If you get it done with Lumineers (or another brand of porcelain veneers), you need to be aware that they will be bonded on. In other words, you’ll have vampire teeth 24/7 for at least ten to twenty years.  Think that through. In that amount of time you will likely have children and even grandchildren.  Though it might seem fun now to have vampire teeth now, will you always feel that way?

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

 

Lumineers

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.

Lumineers

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.

 

Teeth Whitening

Brown Stains from Perioplus

My dentist prescribe perioplex to me after a recent oral surgery. However, I’ve noticed my teeth are starting to stain brown. Is this from the perioplus?

Sandy M.- Oklahoma

Sandy,

I did some quick research and I suspect the Perioplex is the cause of your staining. It is a good antibacterial agent, but contains chlorhexidine, which can stain your teeth. Another prescription that contains chlorhexidine is Peridex.  Don’t despair though (or stop using it) because there is a solution.

I would order the toothpaste Supersmile. It contains an enzyme that breaks down the protein pellicle on your teeth. You’ll soon have your white smile back.

Supersmile is also a great toothpaste to use on cosmetic dental work, such as porcelain crowns and porcelain veneers.

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