I have a problem.  I wanted to improve my smile.  I didn’t want braces, mostly because I am 37 years old and would feel very self-conscious at work. I have some crooked teeth and my teeth are discolored. That’s mostly because I’m getting older and drink a lot of coffee. So I want to straighten my teeth and whiten them. My dentist said Lumineers will do that. I did some research and it seems like a lot of dentists seem to think that they’re bulky, which confuses me because they’re supposed to be ultra thin.  I don’t see how that can both be true.  I’m looking for alternatives.

Abigail L. – Arizona

Abigail,

First, I’m going to address how Lumineers can be both ultra thin and bulky.  I know it sounds oxymoronic, but there is a reason for both of those comments about Lumineers. First, they are ultra thin veneers. They are made ever so slightly thinner than traditional veneers. Because of this they are often advertised as easy to place because no-prep for the teeth is “necessary”.

What that often leads to  is dentists who are inexperienced in cosmetic dentistry placing Lumineers, because they’re “easier” than most.  The turth is, Lumineers are no more easy than other brands.  And some teeth need prep, no matter how thin the veneers are. When they don’t get it, the teeth end up looking bulky.

So, the key is to find a really experienced cosmetic dentist. One that your comfortable trusting with your smile.  Then, have him tell you why he thinks a certain brand is right for you–especially if he is recommending lumineers, which many artistic cosmetic dentists don’t feel are up to the high standards of other brands.

This blog is brought to you by Oklahoma City Dentist Dr. Don Swearingen.