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Lumineers are leaving my smile in the dark!

Posted on by smiles4u.

I had a Lumineers smile makeover about eight years ago. Back then, I had quite a bit of money and was able to afford to have sixteen teeth done. There’s no way I could afford that now. The problems started almost immediately after having them put on. My original dentist was in Hawaii, but I moved to Texas about a month later and the veneers started falling off. I found a dentist here and he re-bonded two of them. It took months for my dentist in Hawaii to finally give me a small refund so I could at least put it toward having the work done here. They also started to look like they didn’t fit right – and they were starting to darken. It really made me hesitant to show my smile. It been a year and all of them are still in place, but now my front teeth are also getting darker and it appears to be underneath the veneers. If I have to get these replaced, I have no idea how I am going to pay for it. Is there anything I can do? — Tana

Tana,
From what you are describing, your veneers are leaking. Aside from the color changing, the more urgent problem is the risk of decay. Where there’s stain leaking in, there’s usually bacteria, too.

It sounds like neither one of these dentists really knew what they were doing. The veneers were not bonded correctly in the first place, and unfortunately, there are not very many dentists who truly know how to re-bond them. The old bonding needs to be sandblasted off so that there is nothing left on the tooth and then the inside of the porcelain would need to be etched with hydrofluoric acid (not many dentists even have this in their office). After being primed and bonded onto your tooth, the veneer should last for many years without leaking or falling off.

If your veneers can be taken off without breaking, there’s a chance they could be cleaned, prepped and re-bonded. It’s hard to tell without visit a cosmetic dentist to have them looked at. The other problem will be matching the color to your other teeth. This is where it’s important to find a cosmetic dentist. If you cut corners now, you may be paying even more down the road. Good luck!

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

 

Tongue tied over my Lumineers!

Posted on by smiles4u.

I got Lumineers done about a month ago, thinking they would really make my smile pop for a convention that I’ll be giving a presentation at in a couple of weeks. I noticed right away that they felt really thick. My tongue keeps catching on them and it sounds like I have a lisp. I went back in and asked the dentist to make some adjustments. He did smooth them out some, but he said that it would take a few weeks to get used to talking with the Lumineers on. I went in again last week and we went through the same process… slight adjustments and him telling me I’d get used to them. I’m really worried now because the convention is coming up soon and I still can’t speak properly. Will I adapt or is there something more I should ask my dentist to do? — Matt

 

Matt,
Lumineers are tricky to get right. They’re often referred to as a “no-prep veneer,” which means no tooth structure is removed when they’re placed.  They’re incredibly thin, so the amount of bulk they add onto the surface of the tooth is minimal. Traditional porcelain veneers are much thicker, so the front of the tooth has to be shaved down some to make it sit flush.

To be blunt, not all dentists have the skill to do a veneer without removing some of the tooth, no matter how thin that veneer is. Moreover, not every patient is a good candidate for the no-prep variety. A skilled cosmetic dentist can examine your teeth and give you the best option, which may or may not be the no-prep variety. If you’re still having trouble a month after having it done, it sounds like your dentist lacked the skills to identify whether or not you were a good candidate or to place them properly.

You can go back and have him adjust them some more and it should help, but there will always be some added bulk due to the nature of Lumineers. If he can’t adjust them well enough that you can talk properly, visit another dentist who is skilled at cosmetic work. It’s possible that someone else can recountour them so that they work out better for you, but there’s also a possibility that you’ll have to have them redone.

In the meantime, practice talking as much as possible. Read aloud, sing in the car, or do whatever you have to do. The more you talk, the more your tongue will learn to adapt, so your speech sounds natural. You may still be able to overcome this problem on your own.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

How can I be sure I get an amazing Lumineers smile?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’ve been looking into Lumineers. How do I know that the dentist I choose is certified or has expertise with them? If I’m going to be spending so much money to fix my teeth, whoever I choose had better be able to give me amazing results. Any advice on how to find a Lumineers expert? — Trina

 

Trina,
If you’re looking for a Lumineers expert, don’t rely on their website for recommendations. Unfortunately, dentists you’ll find on the website most likely haven’t done a lot of cases and have basically paid money to the company to be listed. Here’s the thing about Lumineers: they are just another brand of porcelain veneers. It’s pretty easy for dentists to get “certified” simply by paying the fee and taking a short training course. There’s no follow-up or testing, and that means no guarantee that a “certified” dentist will do quality work.

Any expert  cosmetic dentist will be able to do Lumineers or other brands of porcelain veneers. In fact, there are other ultra-thin brands and many dentists prefer them over Lumineers because the results are better. So, change your search strategy and start by looking for a cosmetic dentist in your area – one that does beautiful, artistic work. Be careful because anyone can claim to be a cosmetic dentist. Take time to research and interview each dentist you’re considering. Ask to see before and after photos of patients he or she has doe similar work on – that is the only way to truly see the quality of their work.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Why does my lip stick to my Lumineers?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’m so in love with my new Lumineers smile! It looks better than I ever imagined, but there’s one little problem I am noticing since I got them: when I talk, my upper lip tends to dry out and stick to my front teeth. It’s kind of annoying, but I don’t know what to do other than try and get used to it. Is this normal? — Ashley

Ashley,
Lumineers are a great option for many people and it sounds like you are very happy with the appearance of your new smile. It’s unfortunate about this lip issue. While you think it’s just a little annoying right now, you’ll likely find that if it continues, it will become more distracting and even embarrassing. Kudos to you for trying to live with it, because most people would probably be very irritated and back at their dentist to complain in no time.

When traditional porcelain veneers are placed, it requires shaving down the front of the tooth slightly to accommodate the veneers. Lumineers are called “no-prep” which means your dentist can bond them directly to the teeth, which often results in a bulky or thick feeling.

That is probably what you are experiencing. Your teeth are now thicker and your lip is getting stuck and drying out. Since the Lumineers are bonded in place, your dentist could try and shave them down a bit and polish them, but it’s pretty risky if he gets too aggressive and accidentally shaves right through the veneer. Your only other options are to have the Lumineers re-done, or as you stated before, try to get used to them and just live with it.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Is my bad breath caused by generic brand of Lumineers?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I recently made some big changes in my life in regards to my health and wellness. Now that I am in a good place, one of the last things I would like to do is transform my smile. Since I hadn’t really taken care of my teeth for a long time, I had some periodontal disease that needed taken care of and after treatment and a few deep-cleanings, I was ready to move forward. I chose to go the route of Lumineers, but when my dentist said he didn’t do them, but rather another brand of ultra thin veneers, I didn’t question him about it and we started the process. It’s been a few months and I can’t say enough about how much I love my teeth! I can’t stop smiling because they look so good. The only thing I have noticed is something has changed with my breath – and it’s not for the better. It stinks! The dentist says I am not practicing good dental hygiene, but I know that’s not true. I got to thinking about this other brand of veneers he used. I didn’t question him about it at the time, but now I’m wondering if they were some sort of knock-off brand that isn’t as good and they are causing the problem.  — Catherine

Dear Catherine,
You’ll find many dentists who opt for other brands of ultra-thin veneers over Lumineers. They find them better not only in quality, but in functionality and fit. Another great advantage is that dentists – particularly skilled cosmetic dentists — can use a lab of their choice to give patients more aesthetic results.

Bad breath is often hard to pinpoint, but one of the first things to look into is your diet. Did you change anything about the foods you’ve been eating since you had the veneers placed? You mentioned periodontal disease which can also be a source. After living with it for so long, you might not have even noticed the smell. The treatments and deep cleanings probably took care of any odors, but if it’s been a while, your gums could be showing signs of disease again.

Make an appointment with your dentist for another cleaning and be sure your hygienist is aware of your concerns. The veneers could have created some hidden areas that you might be missing when you brush. Bacteria and food might be trapped and you don’t know it. She can take a good look and if there are those types of areas, she can give you tips on how to get them clean.

If the gum disease was severe, you might ask about more frequent cleanings in the short-term. If you try all these things and there’s still no improvement, get a second opinion. In the event the veneers were bonded incorrectly or improperly shaped, it’s possible you can get them adjusted or reshaped.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

I want to get veneers, but I’m afraid they will cause tooth decay

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’m in need of a smile makeover, but not sure if I should go with porcelain veneers or Lumineers. Should I be concerned about tooth decay with veneers from food getting stuck under them? — Anastasia

Anastasia,
Regardless of what type of veneer you go with, if your dentist bonds them properly, there will be no gaps behind them and your smile will look very natural because the veneers fit perfectly over your teeth. Porcelain veneers themselves are not made of enamel, so they will not decay, but the exposed tooth structure is still susceptible to normal decay if you don’t keep up on your daily home care of brushing and flossing. So be diligent in your daily oral habits and don’t forget to schedule regular dental cleanings and check-ups.

You need to be sure that you get the help of a skilled cosmetic dentist. Be very thorough when doing your research – ask to see before and after photos of his or her work. Also, if you don’t have a good understanding of the difference between porcelain veneers and Lumineers, you need to ask for more information and determine which is best for you. Lumineers are simply a brand a ultra-thin veneers that don’t require teeth preparation. They work for some people, but if they are not properly placed they can cause several aesthetic problems. Porcelain veneers are more versatile and allow a dentist to custom design a perfect fit.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Will Lumineers work for tetracycline stains?

Posted on by smiles4u.

My husband has tetracycline stains on his teeth. We’ve looked into porcelain veneers, but they are so expensive. We saw a commercial for Lumineers and they are cheaper, will they work? — Sandy

Sandy,
For tetracycline stains, Lumineers would not be the best choice, and here’s why:

  1. Tetracycline stains are very difficult to cover. The veneer needs to wrap around the tooth or else the result will be a “halo” effect because the teeth will look whiter in the middle and gray around the edges. That requires tooth preparation and Lumineers are considered “no-prep.”
  2. Lumineers are not thick enough to adequately cover dark tetracycline stains. You’ll either have teeth that look a very faded shade of gray or they will be a pasty, opaque white that will not look like natural teeth at all.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Sensitive teeth are affecting my health. Will Lumineers help?

Posted on by smiles4u.

My teeth are extremely sensitive, making it difficult to eat and drink certain foods and beverages. It’s starting to affect my health because I am struggling to keep my body nourished. Would getting Lumineers help with the sensitivity and get me back on the road to feeling normal and healthy?  — Sara

Sara,
Lumineers or other brands of porcelain veneers can help treat sensitivity. But before you make any decisions on this type of treatment or smile makeover, it is very important that you consult with an experienced cosmetic dentist who can get to the bottom of why your teeth are so sensitive and make a thorough diagnosis.

Sensitivity can be caused by several things, including:

  • Leaky fillings
  • Sensitive spots on the root of your tooth
  • A mis-aligned bite
  • Tooth decay
  • Teeth grinding

Sometimes a patient with sensitivity wanting porcelain veneers may need to get root canal treatment on the front teeth.  With today’s modern advances and a good cosmetic dentist doing the work, they can assure the tooth won’t fracture later and the end result will be a beautiful smile and no more sensitivity.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Tired of my Lumineers falling off!

Posted on by smiles4u.

I was so excited to have Lumineers placed on several of my teeth a few months back, but now they keep falling off. I’ve had to go back to my dentist to have same tooth re-bonded three times and this time I accidentally swallowed the veneer. When I asked my dentist what I should do, he suggested traditional porcelain veneers – to the tune of $1200 per tooth! It took me a long time just to save up for the Lumineers, and now he wants me to hand over even more money? What can I do? — Bradee in Tennessee

Bradee,
It sounds like your Lumineers aren’t giving you much to smile about these days… and it probably doesn’t make you feel any better to know that there are many people who have had similar experiences. Today, Lumineers are one of the most marketed brands of ultra-thin porcelain veneers. Because they are promoted it as being “no-prep” and easy to place, many dentists believe they can deliver an aesthetically pleasing product with a good outcome. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case because much like traditional porcelain veneers, Lumineers require a true cosmetic dentist who not only has an artistic eye, but uses high quality materials. Seeking an opinion of another true cosmetic dentist would be a good idea in your case. If, after that, you decide to stick with your current dentist and do the porcelain veneers, see if he will credit what you paid for the Lumineers toward the new procedure. If he wants you to truly be happy, he will do all he can to help make your situation right.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.

Does teeth grinding affect Lumineers?

Posted on by smiles4u.

I’ve always been self-conscience of my smile and I’m finally to the point financially where I am considering getting Lumineers. I’ve seen and heard a lot of good things about them, but my one concern is that I grind my teeth. I’m afraid if I tell my dentist that I grind my teeth, he will refuse to put them on. If I don’t tell him, will I risk them failing? I’d be willing to replace them down the road, but can’t afford to do it if they get damaged right away. I really don’t want to be told I can’t have them.  — Luisa in Oklahoma

Luisa,
No matter what type of medical advice you are seeking, it’s always best to be honest. Grinding your teeth can be a problem with Lumineers, but whether or not it totally excludes you from the procedure is something your dentist will need to determine.

Grinding and clenching can affect the longevity of Lumineers, but it’s almost impossible to determine ahead of time if or when they’ll fail. If you grind your teeth during sleep, a night guard can be a great solution for you.  Ask your dentist about other appliances that can help you during the day or even seek out some relaxation techniques designed to help you reduce the urge to grind.

There are some other alternatives to Lumineers that may hold up better in your situation. They will give you the same beautiful look, so be open to suggestions from your dentist on other brands or styles.

Also, keep in mind that no dental restoration will last forever. Whatever you choose will eventually need replaced. Any restoration can fail in a very short period of time if they are not properly taken care of. But, when correctly placed and cared for, restorations can last ten years or more. In your case, honestly is the best policy… and so is a frank discussion with your dentist about your situation and the results you would like to achieve. When all is said and done, you’ll be glad you did when you can show off your beautiful, new smile to the world.

This post is sponsored by New Orleans cosmetic dentist Dr. Duane Delaune. Read more about Find out why many consider Dr. Delaune to be the best dentist in New Orleans.