September 19, 2007—LOS ANGELES, BEVERLY HILLS AND SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA— A great deal of patients who visit Los Angeles Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Anthony Mobasser inquire about Lumineers.
Although Mobasser, who has specialized in cosmetic dentistry for more than 27 years, prefers porcelain veneers to Lumineers in most cases, there are some good candidates for the less expensive Lumineers procedure, he said.
Determining which procedure best suits the patient is done through a consultation with a dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry, Mobasser said.
Patients who tend to be good candidates for Lumineers have their natural teeth intact and their teeth are fairly white and straight, he said.
“If the underlying color of the teeth is yellow, that may show through,” said Mobasser.
The reason for this is because Lumineers are very thin sheets of porcelain that compare in thickness to that of a contact lens.
Lumineers still can be a good option for candidates with yellowing teeth, if they are willing to allow the cosmetic dentist to remove some of the tooth structure, which eliminates the discoloration.
The ideal Lumineers patient also has space between their top and bottom teeth, said Mobasser, who treats patients in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.
Patients with a “tight bite” are not good Lumineers candidates because applying Lumineers to the tooth surface slightly increases bulkiness in the mouth, he said. Applying Lumineers to a patient with a tight bite will change the bite pattern.
Other patients who are not good candidates for Lumineers are those who frequently grind or clench their teeth, Mobasser said.
Mobasser also doesn’t recommend placing Lumineers over existing crowns, caps or bridges.
“Doing so can result in over-contoured porcelain that could irritate the gums,” Mobasser said.
For those patients who don’t make ideal Lumineers candidates, porcelain veneers almost always are the best alternative.
“The natural color of the veneers is much superior to Lumineers,” Mobasser said, adding that due to the small layer of porcelain to work with on Lumineers, it is difficult to do much to change their color if necessary.
When considering the benefits of porcelain veneers over Lumineers, the cosmetic dentist’s artistic ability and preparation procedure “is of utmost importance,” Mobasser said.
One common misperception is that porcelain veneers always result in tooth sensitivity.
“If done properly, there should be no sensitivity,” Mobasser said.
Porcelain veneers also produce more natural looking teeth, and the contour is kinder to the gum, he said. If the doctor is preparing the veneers well, he or she is adding an amount of porcelain that mirrors the amount of natural tooth that was removed, resulting in a natural look.
Before undergoing either procedure, Mobasser reiterated, it is important to have a thorough consultation with a well-respected cosmetic dentist to go over the options, pros, cons, risks and benefits of the procedure in question.
Learn More
If you would like to learn more about Lumineers or porcelain veneers or you would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Mobasser, please call: (310) 550-0383; or visit his web site: www.celebritydentist.com.
About Dr. Anthony Mobasser
Dr. Mobasser is regarded as the authority in aesthetic dentistry in Los Angeles. He is a pioneer of modern cosmetic dentistry and is one of the most experienced and qualified dentists in the world. His refined techniques have set a standard for cosmetic dentists. Dr. Mobasser holds degrees in mathematics and engineering. He earned a biochemistry degree from University of California Los Angeles and completed his DMD degree at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard, where he graduated with honors.
© 2007 Sinai Marketing and Dr. Anthony Mobasser. Authorization to post is granted, with the stipulation that Sinai Marketing is credited as sole source. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
-end-
