Hope Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry

Category: Porcelain Veneers

Lumineers or Porcelain Veneers

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I’m FINALLY able to get a smile makeover. I can’t tell you how excited I feel about this. I’m just having a bit of a hard time choosing. I like the idea of the thin ones called Lumineers. Originally, I thought that would look more natural. But, I’m reading a bunch of reviews which seem to be mixed. Am I better off with porcelain veneers?

Karen

Dear Karen,

A porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

Which is more important the brand of veneer or the dentist who does them?

It’s great that you’re trying to research this. However, I’d like to redirect your question just a bit. The brand isn’t as important as the dentist which does them. A great cosmetic dentist could make any brand look stunning. But, an inexperienced cosmetic dentist could have the best materials and still create a subpar smile.

Lumineers Limitations

You should be aware that most expert cosmetic dentists aren’t extremely fond of the Lumineers brand. Much of that has to do with their lab. The DenMat company owns Lumineers and requires dentists to use their lab. Sadly, that lab isn’t known for its skill and artistry.

True cosmetic dentists will normally have a ceramist they prefer to work with that they feel produces the right results and follows their directions well.

While Lumineers brand does seem to heavily advertise as being no-prep because they’re’ ultra-thin it’s not always best practice to place porcelain veneers without any tooth prep whatsoever. The results can look bulky depending on the smile.

The Most Important Decision for Porcelain Veneers

More important than which brand of porcelain veneers you get is which cosmetic dentist you have design and place them. The artistry and skill of the dentist will make the biggest difference in the beauty of your smile makeover.

To find one of the best cosmetic dentists in your area, I recommend you go to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry website (aacd.com). The AACD has an accreditation program which helps patients looking for a good cosmetic dentist to know which dentists have the skills necessary to give them a gorgeous smile.

On their website, is a link to help find a cosmetic dentist in your area. Just be certain you check that you’re looking for one who is accredited. If there is not one in your immediate area it will be well worth a little bit of travel to get stunning results.

Best of luck. This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Avoiding My Sister’s Porcelain Veneers Disaster

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My sister and I were both planning on getting a smile makeover. She beat me to the punch and I’m feeling glad she did because I’m hoping to learn from her disaster. I don’t want to sound mean but her teeth look like horse teeth. Is there a way I can make sure my teeth won’t look bulky? She said hers were no-prep. Is that the problem or is it something else? She’s pretty disappointed in her smile.

Elaine

Dear Elaine,

A porcelain veneer being placed on a tooth

I wonder if your sister’s dentist placed Lumineers on her teeth. They’re a brand of porcelain veneers which are highly marketed as being no-prep. The problem is some smiles do need prep even with an ultra-thin brand of porcelain veneers. Otherwise, they look bulky. Your sister’s smile sounds like one of those.

Sadly, these are marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists as being easy to place. Being easy to place is completely different than making them look stunning. There’s much more to porcelain veneers than just the prep of the teeth.

The key to a beautiful smile makeover is choosing the right dentist to design your smile. Cosmetic dentistry is an art form. If you were commissioning a portrait you wouldn’t just hire the first artist that popped up on your internet search. You’d do research to see if you like the type of work they do.

Getting Gorgeous Porcelain Veneers

You’ll want a dentist who’s passed accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists are the top cosmetic dentists in the world. They’ve passed stringent oral and written exams. Additionally, they had to demonstrate their artistry by providing a large sample of specific cases they’ve completed.

Any accredited dentist can give you a truly stunning smile. In fact, most of them have a beautiful smile guarantee. You’ll find your smile makeover gives you increased confidence.

As for your sister, you can’t really “improve” veneers once they’ve been permanently bonded on. Her best bet is to have her case completely re-done. If her dentist cares about the quality of his work, he won’t want a patient to be disappointed in their smile. Hopefully, he’ll be willing to do it over or give her a refund.

If he does it over, make sure he allows her to look at her porcelain veneers carefully with a try-in paste before he bonds them on. She should give complete approval before allowing them to be permanently bonded.

This blog is brought to you by Tulsa Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Jerome Cha.

Porcelain Veneers on Top of Porcelain Veneers

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I was disappointed in my porcelain veneers. I asked for a really white smile. They came back a bit dingy in my opinion. He said that’s because the tech said that’s the whitest available. I would have rather waited until they had the whiter available than get these. Is there a way to put whiter ones on top of these or am I stuck with the dingy ones?

Marilyn

Dear Marilyn,

A single porcelain veneer being held by a dental tool

First, I’m going to suggest you get a different cosmetic dentist. They could have made your porcelain veneers as white as you wished. Either he lied to you for a reason I can hardly fathom or he is totally incompetent about cosmetic dentistry and just listens to whatever his lab tells him.

While you could have new veneers on top of the ones you don’t like, I’m going to recommend you don’t for the following reasons:

  • It will cost you just as much money as if you had the case completely re-done.
  • They won’t last as long. Bonding porcelain to porcelain isn’t as secure as bonding porcelain to enamel.
  • You double your chances of the veneers having a problem and falling off. For instance, if by some miracle your new veneers stay bonded to the old ones, what if the original bond breaks?
  • The porcelain to porcelain margin is more prone to staining than the porcelain to enamel margin.

Finding the Cosmetic Dentist to Re-do Your Smile

If you really want a stunning smile makeover the most important decision you’ll make is which dentist you go to to have it done. Two cosmetic dentists can attempt the exact same smile makeover on the same patient, given the same instructions and they will turn out completely different. So how is a patient to know which dentists are artistic and which will do disappointing smiles?

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) set up an accreditation program for that very reason. Dentists have to pass stringent oral and written exams as well as demonstrate their artistry with a large number of cases they’ve personally done. Dentists who reach accreditation level are among the top dentists in the country.

They will create a stunning smile for you. In fact, most of them have a beautiful smile guarantee.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha. Check out his smile gallery.

Solution for Tetracycline Stains

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I have tetracycline stains. I’m finally in a financial position where I can do something about them. I’ve seen two dentists thus far. Both gave me vastly different suggestions. I’m hoping you’ll break the tie. First, I went to my family dentist. He recommended I get porcelain crowns to cover the stains. He’s done a crown for me in the past and I liked it. Though, this one was made to match the stains. Next, I saw a cosmetic dentist. He suggested I get porcelain veneers. They’re much more expensive, but I assume are more likely to give a pretty smile. Do you know which procedure would be a better solution?

Corrine

Dear Corrine,

A single porcelain veneer being held by a dental tool

I’m glad you wrote. Tetracycline stains are some of the more difficult things to treat. I’m going to have you switch gears just a smidge. While I think porcelain veneers will be a better idea than porcelain crowns for reasons I’ll explain in a moment, more important than what procedure is what dentist.

Porcelain Crowns Versus Porcelain Veneers

Porcelain crowns require a much more aggressive treatment than veneers. They require the dentist to grind down a great deal of healthy tooth structure. Plus, let’s say a few years from now you meet a top-of-the-line cosmetic dentist. It will be too late to get porcelain veneers. Once your teeth are ground down, you can’t undo that and switch to porcelain veneers. You will always have to have crowns.

A good thing to consider is why your dentist is suggesting a much more aggressive treatment than is necessary. Most dentists will suggest the least invasive treatment so as to preserve as much healthy tooth structure as possible. The one obvious reason he’d do that is he is more comfortable with crowns, which translates to not a lot of cosmetic dentistry training. I think even if you went with the porcelain crowns you wouldn’t be happy with the results.

Now, let’s discuss the cosmetic dentist who suggested porcelain veneers. While he’s suggested a good procedure, how do you know if he’s a skilled and artistic cosmetic dentist? Cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty so every general dentist can just call themselves a cosmetic dentist regardless of their skill level.

Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry recognized the problem which patients face in finding legitimately skilled practitioners. To help, they started an accreditation program. This tests both the technical skill and artistry. They have to pass stringent exams, both oral and written. In addition to that, they have to show a series of cosmetic procedures they’ve completed in order to demonstrate their artistry.

Those who pass reach what is known as accreditation level. Only about 1% of dentists in the world reach this level. This is the type of dentist you want to take care of your tetracycline stains. Not only are they incredibly skilled, but almost all of them have a beautiful smile guarantee.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha.

Why Would Porcelain Veneers be the Price of a Home?

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I had a disastrous first smile makeover. Even the dentist who created it knew it was awful and offered me a full refund without me even asking. That should tell you how bad it was. So, now I’m off to get this fixed. You can imagine I’m not too willing to smile at this moment. The “makeover” is humiliatingly bad. I made a list of cosmetic dentists in my area. I’ve tried one who was highly recommended in fact, I heard that people fly in from other countries to have him do their makeovers. Unfortunately, he quoted me the price of my home. Is that what I’m looking at if I want this fixed?

Cora L.

Dear Cora,

A single porcelain veneer being held by a dental tool

I’m going on the assumption that your house is worth more than $100,000. That’s pricey even for the best of the best cosmetic dentists. Is it possible he quoted you a full mouth reconstruction? Did he say anything about your bite being off?

Some dentists only want to work on the “ideal” treatment, but a great cosmetic dentist can give you a gorgeous smile even if your bite is a bit off. Though, if it’s very off, you may want to look into TMJ disorder because you don’t want an additional problem.

What you were quoted isn’t a typical cost of getting porcelain veneers. I wouldn’t panic that you’ll have to mortgage your house to get this fixed. In fact, cost isn’t the biggest factor in determining who’s a better dentist. I know a couple of dentists in the area who might be able to illustrate this for you.

A Tale of Two Dentists Who do Porcelain Veneers

Dentist “A” costs a fortune. He gives gorgeous smile makeovers. Dentist “B” isn’t the cheapest but is less than dentist “A”. He gives gorgeous smile makeovers. It’s more about the skill of the dentist than it is the price.

In your place, because you’re already repairing a disaster, I’d say you need a highly skilled and artistic cosmetic dentist. See if there’s an AACD accredited dentist in your area. Most of them even have a beautiful smile guarantee.

If there’s not one within a reasonable distance, then look on the mynewsmile.com website. They list artistic cosmetic dentists by area. A dentist can’t buy their way onto the site. Either way you’ll get great results.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha.

Dentist Refuses to Give Son Porcelain Veneers

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I’m looking for options for my 10-year-old son. A neighborhood child chased my son with a dog. He was so terrified he ran too fast and tripped, chipping his front tooth. He’s really embarrassed to smile. I want to get a solid fix for him, like a porcelain veneer. Our dentist refuses. I suggested a crown. He refused that too. I need options. What CAN I do for my son?

Olivia N.

Dear Olivia,

I’m sorry your son had such a horrifying experience. Hopefully, the neighbor boy’s parents are taking some initiative in helping with this expense. I hope this experience hasn’t soured him on dogs.

There is a good reason for not giving your son either a porcelain veneer or crown, though I do understand you want a solid treatment.

Your son’s bite is still developing. If you did one of those other treatments, though fantastic for adults, you’d have to replace them every few years. That’s an unnecessary expense. Plus, with a crown, you’d be forced to ground down perfectly healthy tooth structure. Fortunately, there is a great solution.

A Conservative Repair for a Chipped Tooth

A smile with a chipped front tooth

Before Dental Bonding

A smile after a chipped tooth is repaired

After Dental Bonding

Traditionally, a chipped tooth is restored using dental bonding. This uses composite resin to fill in the chip and blend it naturally with his natural tooth structure. If it makes you feel better, this solution is the go-to for adults in this situation as well.

One word of caution. This is done free-hand. If your pediatric dentist isn’t a skilled cosmetic dentist, you’d be better served having a general dentist who is willing to treat children do the procedure who’s an experienced cosmetic dentist to ensure his restoration will look natural.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha.

How Custom Designed Can Porcelain Veneers Be Made?

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After the last election I grew discouraged and decided to do something about it. So, I’m running for office. My wife insists I need to improve my smile. She suggests porcelain veneers. I do have an unattractive smile. My teeth are cigarette stained and chipped. One of them is even missing. But, I don’t want my smile made too perfect or I think I won’t be viewed as trustworthy. How custom made can these things be done?

Matt M.

Dear Matt,

Tulsa Porcelain Veneers

It’s noble that you’re wanting to make a difference and are actually doing something about it instead of merely complaining but taking no action. If your smile is unattractive, then your wife is correct. One of the first things people notice about us is our smile. And unfortunately, they’ll make preconceived judgments about us based on its appearance.

Based on your description of your teeth, porcelain veneers will be a perfect solution for you. They can be custom designed to the minutest details. However, how successful and attractive the smile will be, depends a lot on the dentist you choose.

You can have two different dentists work on the exact same smile, attempting the same design, and you’ll get two different results. Ideally, you want a skilled and artistic cosmetic dentist. So, how do you go about finding one of those? The top cosmetic dentists in the world have achieved accreditation level with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD.com). They can tell you where the closest accredited cosmetic dentists are to your area.

The great news is most of them will have some form of a beautiful smile guarantee, so you can be sure you’re getting exactly the smile you want.

As for your missing tooth, the best solution will be to get a single dental implant. This is the closest thing to having a natural healthy tooth as you can get.

Best of success with your political endeavors. Our country needs statesmen more than politicians.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha.

My Porcelain Veneer Is Turning Dark at the Top

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I need some advice. I had a large chip that my dentist repaired with a porcelain veneer. It always looked okay, but for some reason it’s turning dark at the top near the gumline. I don’t know why. I’ve only had it for two years. The dark line is really visible and is making me feel awkward about smiling. Do you know if this is normal? My dentist never mentioned this as a possibility.

Serena A.

Dear Serena,

I can think of a couple of possibilities for what is happening. If you truly have a porcelain veneer (and I’ll explain why I’m not positive that’s what you have in a moment), then it means it’s not bonded on properly. A porcelain veneer should sit flush against your gums so that nothing can become trapped there. If it’s not properly placed there can be a ledge. This will attract food and bacteria. If it’s not dealt with it will lead to decay. Poor bonding can also leave a space between the veneer and your tooth which will allow things to seep between them. Not only will this also lead to decay, but your veneer will turn dark from the things gathering beneath it.

However, if you had a very large chip it’s possible you were given a dental crown instead. Porcelain veneers are used for smile makeovers and only cover the front of your teeth. Dental crowns are used to cover the whole tooth when there are large chips or decay over a majority of the tooth.

If you were given a porcelain-fused-to-metal crown, it would explain the dark line as well. These will begin to show the metal at the top of your gums eventually. However, it generally takes more than two years for that to happen. There are a couple exceptions to that time rule. One is if you have gum disease. Another is if you brush hard. That can cause your gums to recede.

Either way, the only way to fix this is to have either the crown or the veneer re-done. If it is a crown, be sure to have them give you an all-porcelain crown this time, so you don’t have to worry about a dark line eventually showing up. However, if there is gum disease you’ll want to address that as well. If it’s a veneer, the problem resulted in an error on the dentist’s part. They should repair it for free.

I hope this helps.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha.

Can the Shape of My Bite Really Keep Me from Porcelain Veneers?

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I’ve wanted a smile makeover ever since I was old enough to realize my smile was ugly. I have an overbite, which makes my front teeth practically cover my bottom teeth. They’re misshapen, some of them have small chips, and they’ve all got tetracycline stains. I saved for years to get the top of the line smile makeover. Now, when I finally tell my dentist, he tells me I can’t because of my overbite. Instead, he wants to do four to six crowns on my upper front teeth. To say I’m disappointed is an understatement. I just wanted to double check he had the right idea before I give up my dream.

Hazel L.

Dear Hazel,

Don’t give up your dream. Give up your dentist. I hope I’m not coming across harsh, but I want you to get the best smile possible. It sounds to me like your dentist is in over his head when it comes to cosmetic work so he’s made up some lame excuse to not have to admit he doesn’t know what he’s doing.

If you were to get porcelain crowns, he’d have to grind down your front teeth to nubs! Why get rid of all that healthy tooth structure? Plus, he’s talking about 4-6 crowns. Most smiles are much wider than that. Can you imagine how weird that would look beside tetracycline stained teeth? No. Don’t do this.

Your bite actually makes you a fine candidate for porcelain veneers. Your teeth are covering your bottom teeth. Crowns would have to surround your entire tooth, causing the dentist to have to beware of what he does on the back side, so it doesn’t negatively impact your bottom teeth. Porcelain veneers don’t go on the back of your teeth, just the front.

In your place, I’d look for a top of the line cosmetic dentist. Tetracycline stains are more challenging than most. The dentist will want to get the veneers to look bright, translucent, and natural, but still cover the stains. It will take someone with an advanced skill set and artistic eye to do that. Find a dentist who’s reached accreditation level with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). They’ll be your best bet and can certainly give you the gorgeous smile you’ve always dreamed of having. In fact, quite a few of them have a “beautiful smile guarantee“.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha.

Ortho Bands or Porcelain Veneers?

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I’ve got this gap in my teeth and they need some whitening. My dentist tells me porcelain veneers will take care of both those things.  The price tag is a tad out of reach for me. I could do it, but am wondering if I should spend that much money just because my smile bothers me. Ortho bands are a lot cheaper. They would take care of the gap. What do you think? I’d feel better with a professionals opinion.

Gracie – Ohio

Gracie,

The ortho bands are a bad idea. In fact, I’m surprised they haven’t been sued out of business. What they do to close the gap is tip the teeth together. That puts you at risk of losing your teeth because the roots of your teeth aren’t properly adjusted. They don’t have bone support. They become loose. They’re no better than putting rubber bands on your teeth.

I don’t necessarily think porcelain veneers are your solution either. You have a couple of more affordable options that will give you the results you’re interested in.

First, get teeth whitening done. Once that is completed, you can do one of two things.

  • Invisalign:  These will straighten your teeth without anyone knowing. They’re truly invisible, even at a conversational distance. Some dentists will even whiten your teeth using the Invisalign trays saving you money.
  • Dental Bonding: This uses composite bonding to close the gap.  You’ll want to do the whitening first, because you want the bonding to match your new color.

I’d only invest in porcelain veneers if you’re wanting a full smile makeover. Veneers can change everything about your smile. Size, shape, color–anything you want. But, to get it done right, you’ll need an expert cosmetic dentist, preferably someone who is AACD accredited.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Jerome Cha.

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