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Dentistry/Lumineers vs Captek crowns

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Expert: - 11/3/2008


Question
I paid my dentist for Lumineers for three teeth, a total of $3200.00. After several attempts to do impressions that the lab could need read, the dentist switch to captek crowns and he tells me that they are better for me and the cost was the same. Is one better than the other, is the cost the same.

Answer
Dear Valerie:
Lumineers and Captek crowns are not interchangeable.  They are both brand names for specific restorative procedures.
The premiss of Porcelain Laminate Veneers (as I said, Lumineers are just made by one of the companies) is that teeth have to be minimally prepared (cut down) and a porcelain cover is placed to restore the outer enamel shell, like fake fingernails.  Full coverage Crown restorations (Captek is, again, just a process of crown making by one company) require much more tooth reduction (cutting down) and are even more difficult to do properly.
The cost to you should be about the same.  There are differences in laboratory costs to the dentist, but they do not make a difference in the price to the patient.
The best procedure for you is the one that gives you the best cosmetic result and restores the health of your teeth.  If your teeth are intact and you are just looking to change color, or close spaces, the veneers are far better than cutting your teeth down to make any crown.
If your dentist had troubles impressioning for a simpler procedure such as veneers and you are proceeding with a more complicated treatment, you might want to get a second opinion from a specialist.
www.prosthodontics.org will have a link to locating a specialist in restorative, cosmetic, and implant dentistry, the Prosthodontist, in your area.  You can call me at the office if you are having troubles locating a specialist, or if you have any other questions on the matter.  
Best of luck,
Dr. Zev Kaufman

Dentistry

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Zev Kaufman, D.D.S.

Expertise

I can answer any question from simple routine dentistry to very complex dentistry with emphasis on reconstructive, cosmetic, and implant dentistry. My expertise is in co-ordination of very complex treatment plans with other dental specialists or as a one-man-team, since I have extensive training in Prosthodontics, Surgical Implantology, and orthodontics.

Experience

Over a decade in private practice of Surgical Implantology and Prosthodontics. Founder and owner of Prosthodontics & Implant Surgery of Manhattan, PC. Clinical Assistant Professor at the Post-Graduate Department of Periodontics & Implant Dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry. Lecture weekly since 1999 on advanced Implant Prosthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry Post-Graduate Program in Periodontics & Implant Dentistry. Former clinical assistant professor of Dental Radiology at the NYU College of Dentistry. Former clinical and lecture faculty at Lincoln Hospital, Dental residency program. Former clinical and lecture faculty at St. Barnabas Hospital (Bronx, NY) dental residency program. Lecture nationally on Prosthodontics and Implant Dentistry.

Organizations
Memeber of the American College of Prosthodontics. Memeber of the Acacdemy of Osseointegration. Member or the Omikron Kappa Upsilon (OKU) Honors Dental Society. Member of the American Dental Education Association.

Education/Credentials
Graduated with Honors from New York University College of Dentistry. Post-Graduate training and certificate in the specialty of Prosthodontics. Post-Graduate training and ceritificate in Surgical and Prosthetic Implant Dentistry. Honors-program in Comprehensive and Applied Practice Management. Honors-program in Orthodontics.

Awards and Honors
NYU Cervice award to the community. OKU honor society. National Dean's List. National Who's Who.

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