Are Lumineers Reversible?

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I want to get a smile makeover and am considering Lumineers. I’ve noticed that the reviews seem to be mixed. Some people love them, while others feel like their smile was prettier before they forked out all their money. I will admit that that makes me a bit nervous as this is a huge investment for me. I have a couple of questions. If it ends up horrible, are Lumineers reversible? Also, will I be able to get my money back?

Karen

Dear Karen,

You are wise to ask these questions now. You don’t want buyers regret on something that is not only expensive but affects your teeth!  I would not say that Lumineers are reversible. I would say they are replacable. That being said, there are ways to guarantee you get the gorgeous smile you deserve.

First, you need to choose the right dentist. Cosmetic dentistry is not a recognized specialty. That means any general dentist can “try his or her hand at it.” Smile makeovers are not taught in dental school. To do them well takes a significant amount of post-doctoral training, not to mention some artistry on the part of the dentist.

This puts patients in a difficult position. How are they going to know if a dentist has invested in that training and whether or not that training was good training? Your safest bet is to find a dentist who is AACD accredited. This is different than membership. In order to get accredited, a dentist, has to pass stringent exams as well have a large number of cosmetic cases they have personally done evaluated by a board of examiners. Only the top 3% of cosmetic dentists in the country are able to obtain accreditation. This will give you the peace of mind that they have the skill.

Do not be surprised if they recommend a different brand of porcelain veneers than Lumineers. The Lumineers brand tends to be highly marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists. Not only that, but the company that owns the brand forces dentists to use their lab, which is not known for producing the beautiful results any true cosmetic dentist would want.

Almost every skilled cosmetic dentist has what is known as a beautiful smile guarantee. This means that they will place the porcelain veneers on your teeth with a temporary try-in paste. Then you will get to see them in a variety of lightings. If you are thrilled with the results, they will permanently bond them on. If you are not over the moon about them, they will note any changes you want and send them back to the lab. Only when you are happy will they be happy.

If you don’t go to a true cosmetic dentist, you take your chances. As for the refund, it would depend on the dentist. The dental board says a patient is entitled to a refund if there is a functional problem with their work. That tends to exclude getting a refund on cosmetic work because you don’t like the results. This makes the choice of dentist even more important.

Bottom line, look for an AACD accredited dentist and make sure they do a temporary try in to allow you to approve the veneers before they are bonded. Then, you’ll be able to get the smile of your dreams.

This blog is brought to you by Franklin, TN Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Christopher Weber.