ugly Lumineers Archives - Coleman Dental

Why on earth did the dentist put stain on my Lumineers?

September 12, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I had four Lumineers on my teeth from a long time ago that looked ugly, so I’ve been planning to have them redone for awhile now. Well, I just had 10 new Lumineers done and I hated the color. The dentist used a stain to make them look “natural.” I thought I had thoroughly explained that I wanted a white smile. So when I called in to complain, he had me come back in to fix the color. He drilled off the top layer to whiten them, as I was freaking out inside. Do you know what it sounds like to drill away over $13,000?! Was drilling really the right way to handle botched Lumineers? Now, I’m left with dull, lifeless veneers. The shape is messed up too. Is there anything that can help?

-Beck in Illinois (a.k.a. Going Broke and Still Not Smiling)

Beck,

This sounds like a cosmetic dentistry horror story. And sadly, it happens more than you might think. At this point, it sounds like you are coming to grips with the fact that there isn’t much that can be done to fix your Lumineers. Although, if they are really bad, there is a chance you may be able to pursue a refund, either partially or hopefully a full refund. At that point, you may be able to have the porcelain veneers redone.

The first step is to find another cosmetic dentist to help support your cause. The new dentist would have a vested interest of course, since you will still need to have your porcelain veneers redone. So, the new dentist may be willing to put some pressure on the dentist to help you get a refund.

As you select a new dentist, you need to look for an excellent cosmetic dentist. As you have realized and experienced, not just any dentist can do cosmetic dentistry. Any dentist can claim to do it, but fewer than one to two percent of dentists have the artistic ability and passion to create beautiful work. Another issue at play here is that most true cosmetic dentists don’t like Lumineers. This is because this particular brand of porcelain veneers come with strict trademark restrictions, which dictate them to be done in their laboratory. Also, the results aren’t up to the standard of most excellent cosmetic dentists. In the mindsof a reputable cosmetic dentist, the best Lumineers case may deliver an okay or above average smile. They often end up looking opaque and bulky. An expert cosmetic dentist will settle for nothing less than perfection and for you to absolutely love their work. That is the dentist you’re after. One that would go to bat on your behalf so you end up with the beautiful smile you deserve.

As far as your comment about the stain to whiten them after drilling them down, this probably is a result of a technique taught in dental school. Instructors (without cosmetic dentistry expertise) would state that a “natural” stain should be placed on teeth, so they don’t look too white. He was probably taught that if the teeth were too white, they would look fake. But, a true cosmetic dentist will listen to you and deliver results that are exactly what you are trying to achieve. They will figure out what smile design is best for your face shape, personality and complexion.

In order to get the smile you have in your mind, unfortunately the cosmetic dentistry needs to be redone. This time around, choose carefully. Ask to see cases similar to yours, look at their portfolio of work and be sure they have extensive advanced training in cosmetic dentistry. If you find a dentist that is a member or affiliated with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, you are on the right track.

Sorry there isn’t better news for you. But thank you for sharing your story. Hopefully, it will protect another patient from falling into a similar situation with a dentist that isn’t equipped to provide beautiful cosmetic dentistry.

Lumineers keep falling off!

August 30, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I was so excited to finally get my new Lumineers! I ended up getting five put on my teeth which I was excited about at first. But, I’m about at my wits end because they keep falling off. I keep having to go back to the dentist to have them bonded again. It is getting so annoying. But this time when one came off, I swallowed it. Are you kidding me? Now my dentist is suggesting porcelain veneers that are supposed to be something like $1,200 a tooth. But I just paid a lot of money (by my standards) for Lumineers. Any advice? I don’t know what to do.

– Kelli in Arizona

Kelli,

Sorry to hear that your Lumineers are giving you so much trouble. You may be surprised to hear that this isn’t that uncommon with Lumineers. Many times patients simply aren’t happy with the result. Although the marketing behind the brand makes them sound like the best thing since sliced bread, the no-preparation technique sometimes can leave them looking bulky, too long, and when they are done by a dentist that may not have that much training in cosmetic dentistry, they sometimes fall off.

Whether you are interested in Lumineers or traditional porcelain veneers, it’s the cosmetic dentist that matters. There is much advanced training required beyond dental school to do beautiful cosmetic dentistry. They must also possess an artistic eye, understand the advanced bonding techniques and materials required, and really understand what you are trying to accomplish with your smile design to deliver a beautiful smile. But since cosmetic dentistry isn’t a regulated field within dentistry, any dentist can place them. As a patient, you tend to take a dentist at his or her word. But you really need to investigate and research their credentials and experience to understand their skill level. Ask to see cases similar to yours, check out their training, and ask for testimonials. An excellent cosmetic dentist will not hesitate to win you over.

As for moving forward with your current dentist, maybe you could request that the amount that you are due for the Lumineers is credited toward porcelain veneers. That said, investigating their experience would be wise before making any final decision.

I want a Hollywood smile with Lumineers. Not generic knock-off veneers!

August 28, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I have decided to go with Lumineers because from everything I have seen they are the best option to give me a glamorous Hollywood smile. My dentist is telling me he doesn’t offer Lumineers, but he can give me a beautiful smile makeover with other brands. But I really want the brand name Lumineers, not some cheap knock-off veneers. Do you think if I offer to pay him more he will give me the real deal?

– Serena in Tennessee

Serena,

Lumineers are very heavily marketing by Den-Mat Corporation, the company that manufactures them. Many people are attracted to Lumineers due to all the advertising hype associated with the brand.

You may be shocked to learn that many dentists don’t like Lumineers. They come with strict laboratory restrictions and often times the end result is not what you are envisioning. There is another factor to consider in that you may not be a Lumineers candidates. You also may not realize that there are many brands of porcelain veneers. And also many brands of no-prep ultra-thin porcelain veneers. So there are many options when it comes to getting that stunning Hollywood smile design.

What is much more important than any brand name, is finding the best cosmetic dentist in your area to place them. To do beautiful cosmetic dentistry requires extensive training after dental school. And just because a dentist says they do porcelain veneers or Lumineers, there is no guarantee you will end up with a beautiful smile.

You would be wise to listen to this dentist and learn more about his or her opinion of Lumineers. Now if you absolutely have your mind made up, you can call around and find a dentist that will place Lumineers. But hopefully this has you considering what you really want? If your end goal is a Hollywood smile but because of the way your teeth are aligned, they end up looking bulky and longer than normal, than it doesn’t matter what brand they are. Right? Think it through. Who wants ugly “brand name” veneers?

When selecting the right cosmetic dentist, you also want to be sure that you check out their credentials and ask to see examples of their work similar to yours. Offering more money to this dentist likely isn’t going to change the opinion of this current dentist. Why would you want a dentist to place Lumineers if they don’t like them and have no experience placing them?

Far too many people get lured in by the appeal of Lumineers. The reality is, it’s all about the skill of the cosmetic dentist that places them!

My Lumineers look gray.

August 24, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I saved up for months to get Lumineers done a few months ago. I ended up getting a total of six done so that my front teeth that show when I smile, looked great. I decided to get Lumineers because I really liked that there was no shaving down required like there is with porcelain veneers. Well, even while I was still at the appointment where the dentist did them, I didn’t really think the color looked right. I thought they were discolored and the best way to describe it was that they looked gray. When I expressed my disappointment to the dentist, he told me that Lumineers look different in different lighting. He kept reassuring me that I’d get used to them and they looked good. But, I honestly feel like they have never been white. And over time I feel like they are looking worse. Is there any way the color can be corrected? Is it possible the Lumineers company gave us the wrong color?

– Jess in New Jersey,

Well, this is unfortunate on many levels. First, your dentist didn’t sound like he really took your reservations seriously. It is not likely that the Lumineers came as the wrong shade or color. Each order is manufactured preciously to each patient’s specifications. That’s not to be said that your dentist didn’t order them properly.

Anyway, another possibility is that there may be some discoloration on your natural teeth that is showing through the very thin Lumineers. Or it could even be the tooth bonding agent that was used and may be giving a discolored appearance. Still another possibility is that the dentist failed to properly seal them when they are permanently applied. If this is indeed the case, then there could be bacteria and food particles that are contributing to the discoloration.

As you can see, it is difficult to assess exactly where things went wrong. Also, there is pretty much zero chance of having them removed successfully without them breaking. So, this means they cannot be returned and recolored at this stage. Most excellent cosmetic dentists will have you give the okay that you love the way your porcelain veneers look before they are permanently bonded.

You can do your best to make your case to the dentist that placed them. Although, it doesn’t sound like he has been very helpful thus far. It may be in your best interest to seek a second opinion from another cosmetic dentist in your area. Maybe your original dentist will help off-set the cost to have them re-done. Sorry. Wish there was better news.

The dentist put stain on my Lumineers.

August 19, 2021 by Brian Sartin

I just spent over $13K on Lumineers. The dentist that did them ordered stain because it was supposed to help them look more natural. I really was hoping for a bright, white look. But what he ended up doing is ugly. Then, when I complained about it he decided to drill off the top portion of them so they could be whitened. Now they look dull and the shape isn’t right. Was drilling the correct thing to do? I cannot believe I feel this way after spending so much money. Do you have any advice?

– Denise in Missouri

Denise,

Well, unfortunately it sounds like the damage is done at this point. There isn’t that much that can be done, unless their appearance is bad enough. The only way you may be able to recoup some of the cost is to see a new dentist that sides with you and pressures the first dentist into some sort of refund so you can have the work re-done.

Thank you for sharing your story about your Lumineers mishap though. Hopefully, it will help someone else be a little more careful in selecting a dentist for cosmetic dentistry. What most people fail to realize is that fewer than one or two percent of dentists have the artistic ability and passion to create a beautiful smile with porcelain veneers. Most expert cosmetic dentists won’t even place Lumineers. They come with strict trademark regulations that they be done in the Lumineers lab and they are not very natural-looking because they tend to look long and bulky.

The stain you described is a technique that was taught in dental school as a way to make teeth appear more natural-looking. So it is likely that the dentist was trying to follow this recommendation. The thing is, it doesn’t look natural in many cases. There are so many factors involved in creating beautiful cosmetic dentistry that far too few truly understand, as well as an expert-level understanding of the bonding techniques and methods used to place them.

Sadly, you will likely want to have these veneers redone in the future. This next time around, ask to see cases similar to yours, check their credentials, and go with someone that offers a beautiful smile guarantee. Most excellent cosmetic dentists will offer some type of assurance that if you don’t love the way the veneers look before they are permanently bonded, they will be sent back to the lab.

Thank you for your question and best of luck!