Menu Phone
Phone: 504-885-8869 Main Site Pen Icon Reviews: GoogleFacebook

A Front-Tooth Porcelain Veneer Is Too White

Posted on by AllSmiles.

Last month, I got porcelain veneers on my 4 top front teeth. One veneer is much whiter than the others and looks slightly thicker. Also, all the Lumineers are lighter than my natural teeth. It’s so embarrassing.  My dentist and I talked for a long time about this, but she says the veneer will darken with time. Aren’t they supposed to match now? Should I insist on a new veneer or ask for a refund? Thank you.

Gayle – Yes, your new Lumineers and natural teeth should match. Veneers should blend in with your natural teeth’s size and shape.

One porcelain veneer held by dental forceps

Porcelain veneer

Porcelain is colorfast, which means your veneers can’t be made lighter or darker after they have been crafted. You and your dentist should agree upon the shade of your veneers before crafting a wax model.

Speak with your dentist about correcting the color and thickness of the too-white veneer and whitening your teeth to match the porcelain veneers closer. If your dentist hesitates, we recommend scheduling a consultation with an advanced cosmetic dentist for the following services:

  • Whiten your natural teeth – It is possible a skilled cosmetic dentist can whiten your natural teeth to match the color of your porcelain veneers closely. A cosmetic dentist will need to examine your teeth to determine if you are a candidate for teeth bleaching. If you are, the dentist will explain the results you can expect with whitening and how closely your natural teeth will match the veneers. Ordinarily, you should get teeth whitening before veneers.
  • Get a new porcelain veneer – Your dentist and ceramist can collaborate to replace the veneer that is whiter than the others.

We strongly suggest taking the time to find an experienced cosmetic dentist. You may want to find a few cosmetic dentists experienced with porcelain veneers and have a consultation with each to compare the options and costs. After you get a second opinion, you can consider speaking with your dentist about fair compensation for having the extra work done by another dentist.

Metairie, Louisiana, dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post.

Can I Get Porcelain Veneers Over Front Tooth Fillings?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I have fillings on all my front teeth across my smile, from canine to canine. I’ve had tooth decay since childhood and have had the fillings for as long as I can remember. I’m interested in porcelain veneers but wonder if I qualify for them since I have dental fillings on my front teeth. I would like something to hide the discoloration in my teeth, and I prefer something that lasts longer than dental bonding. Will Lumineers work? I’ve heard they are fast and a little cheaper than high-end veneers. Thanks. Lenore

Lenore,

We understand your concerns about discoloration in your teeth and desiring a solution that lasts longer than dental bonding.

Can a Dentist Cover Tooth Fillings with Porcelain Veneers?

A dentist can cover your tooth fillings with porcelain veneers. The bonding material for porcelain veneers and the composite for tooth fillings are compatible. Your veneers will not loosen or fall off due to the fillings.

However, if you want stable, natural-looking results with porcelain veneers, find a dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training. Cosmetic dentists understand how to prepare your teeth conservatively for porcelain veneers and bond them for strength. Over-preparing your teeth can expose the dentin beneath your tooth enamel. Veneers do not adhere well to dentin, so that over-preparation can loosen them.

What Is Porcelain Veneer Preparation?

Porcelain veneer preparation removes a tiny amount of tooth enamel from the fronts of your teeth. Minimal preparation can help veneers fit well where the veneers meet your gum line. Preparation helps veneers look natural, not bulky.

Lumineers for Tooth Discoloration

A single porcelain veneer - for info on Lumineers

A skilled cosmetic dentist can anticipate the results you will get with Lumineers vs other porcelain veneer brands.

Most advanced cosmetic dentists prefer other brands over Lumineers for better aesthetics. Lumineers often make teeth look opaque. However, after examining your teeth, a skilled cosmetic dentist will explain your options.

Look for a Highly Trained Cosmetic Dentist

We recommend scheduling consultations with at least two dentists with post-graduate training in cosmetic dentistry. You can get natural-looking results.

New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Find out why so many people consider him to be one of the best dentists in New Orleans.

My New Porcelain Veneer Is the Wrong Color

Posted on by AllSmiles.

My new porcelain veneer is the wrong color. I’ve had veneers since 2009, but one broke last month. Although the veneers looked good in the dental office, I could see that the shade did not match my other veneers and teeth. My dentist returned the veneer, and I returned to the office when the new one came. I thought my dentist used temporary paste, but she bonded the veneer because she said it was a match. Although my current dentist did not do my veneers in 2009, shouldn’t she be able to match one veneer with the others? Do you have a tip I can give her to get it right this time? I am thinking about getting a Lumineer from another dentist to be done with this. Thank you. Terah from Arlington, VA

Terah,

Thank you for contacting Dr. Lim’s office. We understand your concerns and frustration.

How Can You Color Match a Porcelain Veneer?

Trained cosmetic dentists color match a porcelain veneer with several steps, starting with using the correct lighting. When the veneer color does not match, a skilled cosmetic dentist understands how to manipulate the tint on the veneer, but a dentist should refrain from attempting to do it. Color-correct fluorescent lighting in the dental office can help a dentist achieve a perfect match.

An advanced cosmetic dentist may use this technique when veneers return from the dental lab in the wrong color:

  • Send photographs of your teeth to help the ceramist see the shade difference
  • Send a detailed description of the desired shade
  • Collaborate with the dental ceramist and try as many times as needed to correct the color

Using Polishing Techniques to Correct Veneer Color

Specific diamond polishing wheels and pastes can correct the color of a porcelain veneer. Still, if your dentist lacks the training, tools, and materials to polish veneers, please do not insist on this technique.

We recommend getting a second opinion from an advanced cosmetic dentist to examine your veneer and determine whether they can correct the color or if you need a new veneer. If you need to switch dentists to correct the color of your porcelain veneer, ask for your dental records and a history of your veneers, including the details of your 2009 veneers case. Don’t randomly seek another dentist for a single Lumineer. The results can be disastrous because Luminners’ quality will be inferior. The dental records will help your new cosmetic dentist and the dental lab achieve a perfect match.

Dr. Duane Delaune of Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post. Read why Dr. Delaune’s patients consider him one of the best dentists in town.

Before and after minimal prep porcelain veneers photos

Porcelain veneers photos of Dr. Delaune’s patient

 

Another Lumineer Popped Off My Tooth. It’s the Third Time.

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I got Lumineers placed on 8 teeth upper teeth in 2022. Last July, two of them popped off for no reason. I returned them to my dentist, and she bonded them back at no cost. Last night another one popped off. Fortunately, I was at home this time. The previous times I was in public, and really embarrassed. I can’t return to the same dentist now because I moved over 200 miles away, although I am still in Texas. Why are the Lumineers popping off, and what should I do now? Will I need new Lumineers? Thank you. Dinah from Sumter, SC

Dinah,

Thank you for contacting Delaune Dental in Metairie about your Lumineers. We understand your concerns and the embarrassment of faulty cosmetic dentistry.

Why Are Your Lumineers Popping Off?

A single porcelain veneer - for info on Lumineers

A skilled cosmetic can inspect your Lumineers for stability.

If your Lumineers periodically pop off, it is likely because your dentist did not correctly bond them to your teeth. With proper bonding and proper care, porcelain veneers should remain in place for the life of the veneers—15 to 20 years or longer.

In addition to veneers falling off, improper bonding can result in veneers staining, discoloring, and sensitivity in the veneered teeth. Some people experience decay in teeth behind the veneers due to faulty boning techniques.

Schedule an Exam with an Experienced Cosmetic Dentist

It is vital to the longevity of your cosmetic dentistry treatment to find an experienced cosmetic dentist who is skilled with current bonding techniques. Make an appointment with an experienced cosmetic dentist to restore the Lumineer that fell off and examine the others. The dentist will recommend a treatment plan to ensure all your veneers are stable and stop the Lumineers from popping off individually. You should only need new Lumineers if the dentist determines that yours are defective.

Metairie cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune sponsors this post. Read details about how Dr. Delaune strives to provide some of the best dental care in Metairie.

Should I Replace Dental Bonding with Veneers?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

After having bonding on four front teeth since 2001, my dentist wants to replace the Lumineers because he says it’s easier. I am not sure what makes veneers easier, though. The bonding is yellowing. It didn’t help that I whitened my teeth and home and made the bonding more noticeable. I know Lumineers are supposed to be no-prep, but I am worried about tooth enamel damage if my dentist decides I need a little preparation. Should I insist on bonding? Thank you. Tyrelle from Chicago

Tyrelle,

Thank you for your question.

Can You Remove Dental Bonding?

A dentist with advanced cosmetic dentistry training can remove and replace dental bonding. Dental bonding removal may include one or more of these techniques.

  • Flexible sandpaper discs to maintain tooth shape while removing the bonding
  • Carbide polishing drills and a sandpaper disc to remove any streaks left
  • Air-abrasion equipment for gentle removing

Replacing Dental Bonding with Lumineers

A single porcelain veneer - for info on Lumineers

A skilled cosmetic dentist can determine whether veneers or dental bonding is best for your front teeth

A dentist can replace your dental bonding with Lumineers, but it is your choice. If you do not need to conceal any significant imperfections in your teeth, your dentist should not try to convince you to get Lumineers. Your dentist may say that he prefers Lumineers due to his discomfort with dental bonding. Although Lumineers are famous for not requiring preparation, without preparation, your teeth may look bulky with veneers bonded to their fronts.

Placing dental bonding requires advanced training and an artistic eye. Dentists apply it by hand. Only skilled cosmetic dentists have the bonding materials and tools to match any patient’s teeth perfectly. If your dentist lacks advanced cosmetic dentistry training or is uncomfortable with dental bonding, we recommend getting a second opinion.

A skilled cosmetic dentist will examine your teeth, discuss your options, and explain the results you can expect with dental bonding vs. porcelain veneers.

Lumineers Gave Me a Lisp

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I wanted a real celebrity smile, so I chose Lumineers for their brightness and because they are no-prep veneers. I thought they were the best way to get a smile that would get noticed. I got them in May and am somewhat disappointed. My teeth don’t look as great as I thought they would because they are slightly thick, and I speak with a lisp. I have returned to the dentist, and she made some adjustments, but I still have a lisp. Someone in the dental office implied it might take a while to adjust to speaking with the veneers, but I thought they were supposed to function like natural teeth. If that’s the case, why am I having such a problem with my speech? Maybe I would be happier if I could just get braces and have my teeth whitened. Can I remove the veneers and return to my natural teeth? Thanks. Lenny from Phoenix

Lenny,

Thank you for your questions.

A single porcelain veneer - for info on Lumineers

A skilled cosmetic dentist can examine your Lumineers to identify the cause of your speech problems

Dentists often place Lumineers without preparing your natural teeth. It takes a lot of skill to place Lumineers without them looking or feeling too bulky. If your dentist placed your veneers without tooth preparation, she might need to remove a small amount of enamel to help them fit properly.

If your dentist has already adjusted your Lumineers, she may have difficulty fitting them or bonding them properly. Depending on the cause of your lisp, the adjustment may be as simple as preparing your teeth. Sometimes, the lab may need to remake your Lumineers to ensure they fit correctly.

We recommend getting a second opinion from a cosmetic dentist with experience placing porcelain veneers. Trained cosmetic dentists have the skill to adjust the veneers or your natural teeth, so you get beautiful results. If your dentist cannot achieve the right look and feel with your veneers, it might be best to have someone else examine them.

 Dr. Duane Delaune, a Metairie, Louisiana cosmetic dentist, sponsors this post.

Will No-Prep Veneers Work for My Teeth?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I have seen and compared no-prep veneers before and after pictures on several dental websites. Sometimes they look good and other times they do not. I am concerned about how they will look on my teeth. I do not know whether it is a coincidence, but it seems that the pictures that look good are mostly of people who wanted to make their small teeth larger. Only a few dentists’ patient photos look good in every case. My tooth size is fine, but I would like veneers to correct the shape of three teeth and another tooth that slightly overlaps the tooth immediately to the left. Will no-prep veneers work for my case? Can anyone get no-prep veneers? – Thanks. D’Andre from TN

 

D’Andre,

Thank you for your question.

Although Dr. Delaune would need to examine your teeth to determine whether you are a candidate for no-prep veneers, we will answer your question in general.

Will No-Prep Veneers Work for Your Teeth?

Although many patients ask for no-prep veneers, it does not mean that they will look good on your teeth or improve your smile. Skilled cosmetic dentists are careful with patient cases when asked to place no-prep veneers. Most often, without preparation, teeth can look large and bulky. Advanced cosmetic dentists are upfront about how no-prep veneers will look on you.

What Are Minimal-Prep Veneers?

Minimal-prep veneers require a cosmetic dentist to reduce only 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm of tooth enamel. Removing a tiny amount of enamel allows your veneers to fit nicely over your tooth and around your gum line. Minimal preparation can help veneers look natural on large, misshapen, uneven, or misaligned teeth.

If one of your teeth slightly overlaps, a cosmetic dentist must trim the tooth to get a beautiful result. Without preparation, the tooth will stick out even further.

Ultra-Thin Veneers

A skilled cosmetic dentist completes beautiful smiles by blending ultra-thin veneers with conservative tooth preparation. They choose veneer brands based on stunning results—not because they are popular no-prep brands, such as Lumineers, advertised on TV. Remember, even an ultra-thin veneer often requires tooth preparation depending on the condition and position of your natural teeth and the look you want to achieve.

Schedule Porcelain Veneers Consultations

We recommend scheduling consultations with two cosmetic dentists to compare their treatment recommendations for improving your smile with conservative tooth preparation and veneers. Each dentist should explain whether they would prepare your teeth and why.

What you can do:

  • Look for dentists with advanced cosmetic dentistry training.
  • Prepare your questions for the consultations and take notes.
  • Ask to see each dentist’s smile gallery of their porcelain veneers patients.

Dr. Duane Delaune, an cosmetic dentist in Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post.

Before and after minimal prep porcelain veneers photos

An example of the results Dr. Delaune achieves with minimal-prep porcelain veneers

Can I Trust This Dentist for No-Prep Veneers?

Posted on by AllSmiles.

I understand that Dr. [name withheld] [ is a premier Lumineers dentist. His Instagram page is highly active and has thousands of followers, too. And it seems that some people travel to his office for Lumineers. I am researching Lumineers and other no-prep veneers because I do not want my teeth shaved down. I want to go with a brand that is known for preserving my tooth enamel. Do you mind checking the doctor’s credentials and letting me know if I can trust that he has enough cosmetic dentistry training to know how to give me Lumineers or other veneers without tooth prep? I would hate to travel five hours and be disappointed. Thank you, Karson from Georgia

Karson,

Unfortunately, we cannot find evidence on Dr. [name withheld]’s website or otherwise about his cosmetic dentistry training. We even checked for membership with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. If you want to pursue treatment with the dentist, you can call the office or schedule a consultation and ask for information about his post-graduate training in aesthetics. But we have insight to share with you.

Porcelain Veneers and Shaved Down Teeth

We are interested in your concerns that a dentist will shave your teeth down for porcelain veneers. When expert cosmetic dentists place veneers, they preserve as much tooth enamel as possible.  Shaving down teeth describes the dental crown process—not porcelain veneers.

About tooth preparation for porcelain veneers

  • If your teeth require preparation a dentist will remove a fraction of a millimeter of tooth enamel
  • From a conversational distance, people cannot tell your teeth are prepared
  • Teeth are only prepared to prevent your veneers from looking bulky and to produce natural-looking results

Results with No-Prep Veneers

Sometimes conversative preparation will prevent bulky looking veneers. Lumineers are known for looking pasty and bulky. An expert cosmetic dentist will explain the result you can expect with or without preparation.

Rather than choosing a brand of veneers, look for an experienced cosmetic dentist. Schedule a consultation with one or two cosmetic dentists and discuss your options.

Dr. Duane Delaune, a cosmetic dentist in Metairie, Louisiana, sponsors this post.

Before and after minimal prep porcelain veneers photos

Porcelain veneers photos of Dr. Delaune’s patient

 

Having Doubts about this Lumineers Case

Posted on by writeradmin.

My husband purchased me a Lumineers package for my birthday. I went in and had all the planning and tooth preparation done and then was just waiting for them to arrive. Several weeks passed and then the cosmetic dentist called and said that something is wrong with the impressions and they need to be re-done. Is this a common thing? As my husband had already paid should I be worried that he is just going to keep our money and not actually ever provide the Lumineers?

Elle

Dear Elle,

Advertisement with Lumineers including a woman smiling and a single veneer being held by a tool

I have some concerns here, but not that you will not get your smile makeover. My concern is you are going to get your smile makeover and hate it.  Here are some things you need to know. First, cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty. This means any dentist can call themselves a cosmetic dentist regardless of the amount of training they’ve received. Second, smile makeovers are not taught in dental school, so that training is imperative for a dentist to do a respectable job at these procedures. This leads me to Lumineers themselves.

Lumineers are simply a brand of porcelain veneers. However, they are a brand that is heavily marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists. I have a very bad feeling that your dentist falls into this category for a reason we’ll go into in a moment. Almost all expert cosmetic dentists do not like the brand. This is mostly because the company insists you use their lab, which is not known for its artistic results.

As for your dentist and the impression, that is a completely different concern. While it is not totally unheard of for impressions to need to be re-done,  and it happens to even the best dentists, it is the duration with yours that has me concerned.  The lab would have known right away that something wasn’t right and contacted your dentist. Maybe because he is so new that he was embarrassed and didn’t contact you right away. But, the length of time tells m that either he held onto it or he sent it back to the lab, telling them to try to work with it, but it was so bad they said no work could be done.

Here is one thing you can do to protect yourself when it comes to cosmetic work. Insist your dentist use a try-in paste when the Lumineers finally arrive.  This is a water-soluble gell that allows you to have your Lumineers tried on without permanently bonding them on. You should then get a good look at them in several lights. Only give your approval for them to be bonded on if you are pleased with how your new smile looks. If you aren’t, tell your dentist what you aren’t thrilled with and he should send them back to the lab to be redone until you are thrilled.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.

Lumineers over Crowns

Posted on by writeradmin.

I have old dental crowns that look horrible. I’d like to get veneers and am told that the Lumineers brand can go over dental crowns. Would I be a candidate for this? How do I go about finding a dentist to do it?

Everett

Dear Everett,

Lumineers over Crowns Advertisement

 

Above you will see an advertisement Lumineers placed years ago marketing this very concept.  While I am certain you will be able to find a dentist to do this for you, what I’d like you to do is go over the information I’m about to provide and ask yourself if that’s what you want.  First, let’s talk a little bit about Lumineers. They are simply one brand of porcelain veneers. This particular brand happens to be highly marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists. As a result, those are usually the type of dentists you will find that place them.

Dentists with expertise in cosmetic dentistry almost always prefer other brands. This has more to do with the fact that the company that owns Lumineers, DenMat, requires dentists to use their lab, which is not known for its artistic results. When it comes to getting a beautiful smile, you are better served by finding an expert cosmetic dentist and letting them choose the best brand to give you the results you want.

Should You Put Veneers Over Crowns?

Problem One:

Placing veneers over crowns is going to be bulky looking. If you consider that many patients find Lumineers themselves too bulky, you may find yourself feeling like you have horse teeth.

Problem Two:

There will be bonding issues. It is much more secure when you bond porcelain to natural tooth structure than it is when you bond porcelain to porcelain. This means you are at a greater risk of bonding failure. Additionally, your crowns are getting old. What if the bonding for those fails? Now you have double the risk of bonding failure– One from your old crowns and another from the porcelain veneers being bonded onto the crowns.

The Solution to Old Ugly Dental Crowns

The best thing for you to do is simply replace the crowns you have. An artistic cosmetic dentist can give you a gorgeous smile with dental crowns just as easily as with porcelain veneers. I would look on the mynewsmile.com website and get one of their recommended cosmetic dentists to do this procedure for you. Most of them even have a beautiful smile guarantee.

This blog is brought to you by New Orleans Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Duane Delaune.