Have a Lisp Since Getting Lumineers

I received a promotion. I’m stoked because it is my dream job. I’ll be speaking at our big annual conference this year and decided to go all out and get a smile makeover. I like how they look, but seem to have developed a lisp.  I don’t know what to do. Is this normal?

Deidre – Maryland

Deidre,

First, things first…congrats on the promotion. There’s nothing like really loving your job. Now, onto your problem. My guess is your dentist is a great family dentist, but an inexperienced cosmetic dentist. Lumineers are simply a brand of porcelain veneers. This particular brand is often marketed as being easy to place to dentists new at the cosmetic side of things. The no-prep angle is the hook.

However, it’s the no-prep aspect that is likely causing your lisp. Lumineers tend to be bulky if a dentist does no tooth prep. That can cause some speech problems.  You could see if he’ll adjust them. But, to be frank, if he didn’t know how to place them without causing a lisp, adjusting them may be out of his purview as well.

You’ll have three choices. First, you can have them re-done, by a more experienced cosmetic dentist. Check the mynewsmile.com website. They recommend advanced cosmetic dentists by area. Your second choice is to see if your dentist is able to adjust them. Another option would be to practice speaking as much as possible before your convention. Your tongue will likely adjust to the bulky veneers.

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