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Can I get new teeth without needing sunglasses?

October 29, 2014

Filed under: Lumineers — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 9:29 pm

I want to get lumineers, but when my sister got them, her teeth were way too bright. I like how they look other than the unbelievable color. Is there a way to get them without that issue?

Mara L. – Ontario

Mara,

The color is choosen by the client. It might be that your sister wanted atomic teeth. However, if you get Lumineers, you can pick whatever shade of white you prefer.

You’ll be the one in charge. You get with your cosmetic dentist and let him know what kind of smile you want.

Make sure he let’s you “test drive” them before he permanently bonds them on. Otherwise no matter how good or bad they look, they’re yours.

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

Lumineers for vampire teeth

August 30, 2014

Filed under: Lumineers — Tags: , , , , — okcitydentist @ 7:31 pm

I want to go as a vampire for halloween and I want it to be REALLY realistic. Can I get lumineers that look like vampire teeth?

Steve C. – Portland

Steve,

Yes, you can get lumineers to look like vampire teeth. However, you’ll spend a lot of money to do so and it’s permanent.  Some dentists are willing to do this, but many, if not most, aren’t. Now, if you want to spend the next 20 years or so looking like a vampire, then this is a great solution for you. If not, I’d look for a different solution.

You could get dental bonding, which is less expensive. You’ll have to pay twice. Once to get them and once to get them removed.  Many dentists will make you sign something that promises you will come back to have them removed.  Mosts dentists aren’t comfortable creating permanent “vampires”.

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

Arguing with my dentist about Lumineers?

June 27, 2014

Filed under: Lumineers — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 8:45 pm

I want to get porcelain veneers, but my dentist said because I grind my teeth I should get Lumineers. He said they’re stronger than other veneers and would be safer with the grinding. I’ve heard bad things about Lumineers and I would rather not use that brand. Is he right?

Denise- Florida

Denise,

I hope you won’t think me impolite, but I am going to have to say your dentist is an idiot.  While Lumineers are very strong, which is why they are a little thinner than some brands of porcelain veneers. However, Lumineers are equally susceptible to your teeth grinding as any other brand. Lumineers are marketed to dentists as easy to place, which I suspect is why your dentist was pushing those. I’m guessing he’s been taking their course.

Don’t despair about getting your smile makeover though. If you just got a mouth guard, it would protect whatever brand of porcelain veneers your chose from your teeth grinding.

I strongly suggest you get another dentist to do your veneers.

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

Lumineers to straighten teeth?

May 30, 2014

Filed under: Lumineers — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 10:04 pm

I went to my dentist about straightening my teeth. He said because of their shape (meaning their appearance), I should get Lumineers to straighten them. I checked it out and they’re pretty expensive. Couldn’t I just use Invisalign or something? I’m happy with the shape of my teeth, or at least I was until he told me they weren’t attractive.

Denise R. – Cape Town

Denise,

I’m frustrated your dentist said anything to you that could make you uncomfortable with the appearance of your teeth. Everyone has a different perception of what is attractive, so if you’re satisfied with the appearance of your teeth than forget what he says.

If you’re a candidate for Invisalign, then that would be a much more affordable option for you.  You need to be aware that while Lumineers can change the shape and color of your teeth, it doesn’t actually straighten them. It just gives them the appearance of being straight.

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

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Lumineers or porcelain veneers

April 30, 2014

Filed under: Lumineers — Tags: , , — okcitydentist @ 6:58 pm

I’m getting a smile makeover and wondered if I should get Lumineers and porcelain veneers?

Danielle B. – Hattiesburg, MS

Danielle,

I hope you won’t mind me saying you’re going about this the wrong way. You’re trying to do the job of the dentist. One thing you may not be aware of is that Lumineers ARE porcelain veneers. They’re just a specific brand of porcelain veneers.

Each brand has different strengths and weaknesses. Dentists know these nuances. My best advice is for you to find a really good cosmetic dentist, tell him what kind of smile you’re wanting, and let him decide which brand of porcelain veneers to get.

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

How do I avoid horse teeth?

March 8, 2014

Filed under: Lumineers — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 8:35 pm

I have several friends who have had work done on their teeth. Some of them look gorgeous and natural, while others look a little like they have horse teeth or just obviously fake. How can I avoid the latter?

Sylvia S. – Florida

Sylvia,

There is nothing worse than spending a fortune on cosmetic dentistry and then being horrified by the results.  I have seen the horse teeth you are talking about. Many of them are from cases using Lumineers. Dentists without a lot of experience just jump on the no-prep background withoug realizing that it only works well for some cases.

The best thing you can do when looking to have a smile makeover is to pick the right dentist. Someone with real expertise in cosmetic dentistry can give you a gorgeous smile. The trick is picking someone with both technical skill as well as artistry.

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

Lumineers pop off

February 15, 2014

Filed under: Lumineers — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 3:01 pm

My sister got Lumineers. Her smile looks nicer. The teeth seem a little bulky to me, but that may be because I am not used to seeing her like that.  I was thinking of getting them myself, but hers have popped off twice. Is that normal? I think it would be embarassing if it happened in public. Her dentist always glues it back on for nothing.

Nancy G. – New Mexico

Nancy,

I think your sister has several problems. Both are caused by dentist who doesn’t know what he is doing. If her teeth look bulky, they probably are.  Lumineers are advertised as a no-prep. However, depending on someone’s smile, their teeth might need some minor preparation. If they don’t get that, they end up looking a little bulky and sometimes too long.

The next problem is the popping off. That tells me that her dentist doesn’t understand the bonding process. When done right, this process is permanent.

It’s fine if you want to get Lumineers, I just wouldn’t use the same dentist.

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

My dentist stained my Lumineers

January 14, 2014

Filed under: Lumineers — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 8:23 pm

I’ve spent $15,000 on Lumineers and I hate them. My dentist and I went over what I wanted before he ordered them, but for some reason he put a stain on them. When I told him I didn’t like the stain, he said that was the only way they would look normal. Why would he do this?

Wendy S. – Pennsylvania

Wendy,

I can tell you why he did this, but it won’t help you fix it. Many dentists who “practice” cosmetic dentistry don’t really understand it. In dental school dentists are taught that the dentist knows best and that for a smile to look “natural”  there must be some stain on them.  However, true cosmetic dentists understand that what looks natural is the look the patient is striving for. If you wanted a bright white smile, you should get one.

Unfortunately, the only way to fix this is to have them re-done.  I know it probably makes you sick to hear that.

When you do get your Lumineers re-done, make sure you go to a dentist who listens to you.  Some dentists, like Dr. Swearingen, have what is known as a beautiful smile guarantee, where the Lumineers are not permanently bonded onto your teeth until you’ve had a chance to try them on and are sure you like them.

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

Fixing a chip without lumineers

December 16, 2013

Filed under: Lumineers — Tags: , , , — okcitydentist @ 7:02 am

I’ve fallen and got a small chip on my front tooth. My dentist is suggesting I use Lumineers to fix it.  That is very expensive for such a small chip. Are my choices cleaning out my savings account or living with the chip?

Sandy B. – Missouri

Sandy,

This is a massive overtreatment for a small chip.  I am not sure why your dentist is recommending such an expensive treatment, when it can easily be fixed with some dental bonding, which costs significantly less.

Generally, Lumineers are for a smile makeover. They can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth. If you were needing that kind of change to your teeth then I would say his recommendation is reasonable.

Because you just have a small chip, I think you are being taken advantage of.  I suggest you go to a different dentist for this treatment.

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

My teeth look fat with Lumineers

November 16, 2013

Filed under: Lumineers — Tags: , , , , — okcitydentist @ 1:56 pm

I spent a fortune on Lumineers. My dentist told me it was better than porcelain veneers because you don’t have to shave your teeth. But they have made my teeth look fat. Is there anything I can do about it?

Maureen B.- Nevada

Maureen,

Your dentist is either uninformed or deceptive.  Lumineers aren’t better than porcelain veneers, they because they are porcelain veneers. They are simply one of several brands of veneers.

They are marketed to dentists as an easy prep because there is no “need” to prep the teeth. This is especially appealing to dentist who don’t understand cosmetic dentistry. Many expert cosmetic dentists do not like the Lumineers brand at all. Bulkiness being just one of the reasons.

Another reason is the lab. The Lumineers brand is owned by the Den-Mat Company and they require you to use their labs.  It is not the most artistic lab.

The reason your teeth look bulky is because there wasn’t any tooth preparation.  To be honest, the tooth preparation is so minimal, it is no big deal, but the Lumineers company uses that as a selling point anyway.

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

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