I wanted to get some Lumineers to get a total smile makeover. My dentist said he tried those and no one liked how they looked. If I want a smile makeover, he’d like me to get dental crowns instead. I’m not crazy about that because it will require him to grind down my teeth. Is there another option?
Olivia
Dear Olivia,
Yes, you have another option but it will require you get it by a different dentist. My guess is your dentist is a bread and butter dentist who doesn’t do a lot of smile makeovers. He seems to have dipped his toe in the water with Lumineers. That doesn’t surprise me. It’s highly marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists.
I’m also not surprised he didn’t have good results with them. Most cosmetic dentists don’t like that particular brand. Bear in mind they are just that— a brand of porcelain veneers. The reason they’re not liked has mostly to do with their inferior lab, which they require dentists to use. They tend to end up too opaque and bulky.
I’m with you on the crowns. If your teeth needed all crowns, like for a full-mouth reconstruction, that’s one thing. Grinding your teeth down unnecessarily seems foolish when they’re healthy. Not to mention you’ll be stuck with crowns for the remainder of your life like that.
Smile Makeovers are Best with Porcelain Veneers
You’ll want to get them done with porcelain veneers. There are many different brands. Depending on your particular facial structure and smile goals, the dentist will tell you which brand will best help you achieve your desired smile.
Check three things before settling on a dentist:
1. Check their smile gallery.
You’ll want to see the results of the work they’ve done. Ask to see their smile gallery. Also, ask them if it’s their work or stock photos. You want to see their results.
2. Check their reviews.
Did patients like what they received? Did they get the smile they wanted or another one the dentist liked better? Was the dentist pleasant to work with?
3. Check that they stand behind their work.
Most true cosmetic dentists have a beautiful smile guarantee, meaning your smile makeover won’t be permanently bonded until they’ve created the smile you want.
Best of luck.
This blog is brought to you by Kalamazoo Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Susan Dennis.