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Discolored Lumineers

July 30, 2013

Filed under: Lumineers — Tags: , — okcitydentist @ 9:03 am

I just spent over $15,000 dollars on Lumineers. I went over in great detail what I was wanting out of the smile with my dentist. One of the things I was very specific about was wanting a very white smile. When they came in, they were NOT very white. They had what looked like stains on them. I asked my dentist and he said that he ordered a stain on them so they would look more natural. I was very upset and refused to have them bonded on. If I wanted stained teeth, I would have kept my old smile and not spent thousands of dollars.  He is upset and said I should trust his expertise. Do you think I am out of line?

Elizabeth M.- Wisconsin

Elizabeth,

No, you are definitely not out of line. It sounds like you’ve asked your family dentist to do your cosmetic work. While some family dentists are qualified to do cosmetic work, I don’t think your dentist understands the major difference between cosmetic and general dentistry.

In dental school, we are taught that the dentist knows best and the patient’s feeling is only a small factor in determining the appropriate treatment. However, cosmetic dentistry is the opposite. We are treating the patient’s self-esteem. That means if they don’t think their smile is white enough, then it isn’t white enough. You could ask for teeth as white as chicklets and it is his responsibility to get it for you.

You were wise not to allow him to bond them on. Once he did that the Lumineers would have been permanent and you would be stuck with an expensive smile you hated.  I suggest you get your money back. Then, find a more qualified cosmetic dentist to do your work.

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

Being overtreated

July 16, 2013

I had some dental bonding done on two of my front teeth in order to whiten my teeth. It’s been a few years and I’ve moved. The bonding has worn out and started chipping.  My new dentist said I really need to get porcelain crowns to fix the teeth. I know I am not a dentist, but that seems like a real overtreatment.

Alexis M.- New Mexico

Alexis,

Your gut instinct is right. Though, I am a little confused as to why your previous dentist did bonding to whiten your teeth. Why not just do professional teeth whitening?  Is there something specifically wrong with your case? Have you had root canals on those teeth? Are they tetracycline stained?

Whatever you do, don’t do porcelain crowns. In order to fit crowns over your teeth, they will have to be ground down almost to stubs. Why do that to healthy teeth?

IF there is some reason why you can’t just do teeth whitening, it is very possible you can have porcelain veneers placed on the teeth. I recommend you have an expert cosmetic dentist look at your teeth and give their recommendations.

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