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Lumineers give new look to teeth

By Valerie Nienberg
staff writer
July 19, 2005

In about two hours, Tara Francey had a brand-new smile.

The 23-year-old Port St. Lucie woman was one of the first people on the Treasure Coast to receive Lumineers, a new kind of veneer that makes crooked teeth straight and stained teeth sparkling white.

Francey's teeth have been discolored her entire life as a result of the roseola fever she suffered as a child. Despite the stains, though, her teeth are straight and otherwise healthy.

Traditional veneers involve scraping the original teeth down to nubs, which means that the artificial covers can never come off. Other procedures, such as crowns and bridges, are similarly invasive.

"They all involved damage to the tooth structure, and I wasn't interested in that," Francey said. "I like knowing that my teeth will still be there."

The porcelain Lumineers, which cost $799 per tooth, are as thin as contact lenses and custom-fit for size and color, said Dr. Rita Medwid, of Stuart, who performed Francey's application. According to manufacturer Cerinate, Medwid is the only dentist on the Treasure Coast who offers the procedure.

Not only do they improve the appearance of teeth, but they also can protect against further damage and decay. "They're like little porcelain shields," Medwid said.

Since she started offering Lumineers in March, Medwid said she has treated both men and women from teenagers to octogenarians. Most patients who seek to improve their smile are already aware of their options, she said. "People don't want to deal with drills, they don't want to deal with shots," she said. "They want something that's non-invasive."

Today, most people are seeking the whitest, brightest smile possible, but that wasn't always the case. Medwid said some older patients have Lumineers put over their old bridgework, which is still structurally good but looks dirty. It's not that the teeth have yellowed, she said. Rather, darker colors were in fashion when the bridges were made.

Research shows that 92 percent of Americans believe a smile is an important social asset, and 74 percent feel that an unattractive smile can hurt their chances for career success.

Francey, who just graduated from Florida Atlantic University and is beginning her job search, feels her new smile will be an asset during job interviews.

"It makes me feel more confident when I smile," Francey said. "Sometimes I smile so big it hurts."

- valerie.nienberg@scripps.com

- Article Published in TCPalm.com - Florida's Treasure Coast and Palm Beaches. July 19, 2005 written by Valerie Nienberg, Staff Writer.