I’m a little confused about something. I was considering getting Lumineers after seeing an advertisement. They’re advertised as being ultra-thin, but a lot of the reviews say they end up bulky. How can both be true?

Meagan

Dear Meagan,

If there is one thing Lumineers is great at it is marketing. They promote cosmetic dentistry, which is great for our business. However, there are some things to be aware of. As good as they are at advertising to the general public, they also do so with dentists. This is especially true for inexperienced cosmetic dentists.

They are ultra-thin. Unfortunately, they use this to tell newer cosmetic dentists this makes them easier to place because there is no tooth preparation required. This isn’t exactly true. Yes, you can place them without preparing the tooth, but in many cases they will end up looking bulky, which is what you’ve been reading in the reviews.

There is another downside to this particular brand. Lumineers is owned by the DenMat company, which insists dentists use their laboratory. Unfortunately, their lab isn’t known for producing the most artistic results. Plus, most expert cosmetic dentists have their own ceramist they prefer working with.

Getting a Stunning Smile Makoever

If your goal is a gorgeous smile, the key is not which brand you use, but which dentist. Doing smile makeovers isn’t taught in dental school. It is up to the dentist to determine how much, if any, cosmetic training they will invest in. You will want a dentist who has invested in that training. Additionally, you’ll want someone who also has an artistic eye so they know what will create beauty.

How will you know if that is the type of cosmetic dentist you’re getting? The easiest way is to look for a dentist who is accredited with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists are in the top 1% in the world. In order to become accredited, these dentists will pass stringent exams demonstrating a high level of technical skill and submit a large number of required cases they’ve actually done in order to show they have the artistic skill as well.

You can look up dentists in your area who are accredited by going to aacd.com. You may find that they suggest a different brand of porcelain veneers. I would trust their instinct. They’ll know which brands have the specific qualities you need to get the smile of your dreams.

This blog is brought to you by Lexington, KY Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Fred Arnold.