Monthly Archives: February 2013

Lumineers

I hate my Lumineers

I’m not sure what to do. I spoke with my dentist ahead of time about exactly what kind of a smile makeover I wanted, which included a very white smile. For some reason when he ordered them he had them put on a stain. He said to make them more natural looking. However, I really didn’t want that kind of natural looking. I wanted white. He hasn’t permanently put them on yet, because I started crying when I saw them. Do I have to take them?

Cindy M.- Nevada

Cindy,

No you don’t have to have them permanently bonded on, especially if you had already told your dentist what kind of smile you were going for.

I can tell you a couple of things about your particular case and what went wrong. I suspect your dentist is your average family dentist, who also does some cosmetic work. He is not an expert cosmetic dentist. Here is why I think that. In dental school we’re taught that the dentist knows best and that to have a natural smile there needs to be some staining. However, those dentists with significant cosmetic training know that we are treating how you feel about your appearance. If a true cosmetic dentist had a patient burst into tears, they would immediately tell them the veneers would go back and be re-done.

Another reason that makes me wonder is his choice of porcelain veneers. Lumineers are merely a brand of porcelain veneers. The biggest downside to them is their lab. The Lumineers brand requires you to use their lab, which is not the highest quality.

What I recommend is that you go back to your dentist and tell him you are not interested in the Lumineers because they are not what you agreed to. Then I would look for a more experienced cosmetic dentist in your area. You can go to the mynewsmile.com website. They list expert, artistic cosmetic dentists from each state. You’ll be safe with a dentist recommended on that site.

This blog is brought to you by Plano Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Miranda Lacey.

Dentures, Porcelain Crowns

What does it take to pull all of my teeth and get dentures?

Everyone in my family has bad teeth. I think its in our genes. On both my mother and father’s side of the family. I don’t go to the dentist which is wrong on my part. I am 24 years old and I am afraid that I am going to need dentures before I am 40. I can tell that I have several rotten teeth in the back at least 5 or 6. I do brush my teeth 2 times every day, but my teeth are bad and they are staring to make my breath stink. I want a nice smile. What are the steps for getting my teeth pulled and getting dentures for a nice smile? I heard that  you can get put to sleep at the dentists office to get teeth pulled out just like you would if you got surgery in the hospital. Can you tell me about this?  Thanks for your advice. Nichole from OK

Nichole – Although you don’t go to the dentist, this is an excellent time to change your habits and make an appointment with a dentist.

We will not advise you to get dentures at 24 years old. Visit a dentist to have x-rays taken of your teeth, and to get them cleaned and examined. If you have cavities, they can be filled. If you have teeth that are broken down, it is likely that they can be protected with ceramic crowns, and people will think the crowns are your natural teeth.

Dentures have several disadvantages to other forms of treatment that are available to you. They won’t look as natural as other treatment options. Dentures reduce your chewing efficiency—it is cut in half. Dentures can slip around and even fall out of your mouth. When all of your teeth are missing, eventually, in about 10 to 15 years, your jawbone will begin to shrink. Your face will eventually sink in and make you look older. But slipping dentures and facial collapse can be prevented if dentures are secured with dental implants. At your age, there are other options.

Your dentist will be able to protect your teeth and help you improve your oral hygiene. Be sure to find a cosmetic dentist to do the work and give you a natural-looking result. He or she will tell you the options for preserving your teeth and giving you the beautiful smile you want.

This post is sponsored by Plano dentist Dr. Miranda Lacy.