Lumineers: A New Type of Dental Veneer

If you dream of having a perfect smile, but the thought of having veneers applied to your teeth makes you wince in pain, you'll be happy to know there is a new, pain-free alternative to help you get a fantastic looking smile. Lumineers are porcelain coverings, made from a patented type of porcelain known as Cerinate, applied directly to your teeth. Unlike porcelain veneers, your dentist can apply these contact lens-thin “smile shapers” to teeth without any grinding or shaving. They can be applied without the use of anesthesia, so no shots are required.

Porcelain veneers, also known as "dental porcelain laminates,” are wafer-thin shells that bond to teeth. Most traditional veneers require that your dentist grind down sensitive tooth structure for a good fit. They are permanent, custom-shaped
and require the removal of roughly .5 mm of the original tooth to allow space for the new veneer.

Lumineers laminates are thinner (.2mm); roughly the thickness of a contact-lens. The original tooth structure needn't be shaped for placement and, if desired, Lumineers can be removed. It is claimed that Lumineers resist micro-leakage and micro-cracking more so than traditional porcelain veneers. Unlike other porcelain veneers, you won't need to wear temporary veneers until the Lumineers are created. Lumineers are expected to last just as long as traditional porcelain veneers and normally cost less than traditional dental laminates.

In addition to being made of thin, porous porcelain, both products offer permanent whitening with no staining or discoloration. Both Lumineers and traditional porcelain laminates can strengthen, lengthen and shape your teeth. They can be used to repair minor tooth imperfections, are stain proof, natural in appearance, and highly resilient. This procedure does not hurt, it is fast, and in most cases, affordable.

Lumineers can be a more comfortable and time-saving solution for adults who are considering braces. If your bite problem isn’t severe, Lumineers will change the shape and alignment of your teeth, making them look straighter and more uniform. They will help restore and strengthen teeth and aid in preventing wear over time.

There may also be some disadvantages to Lumineers. As there is little to no tooth reduction needed for Lumineer porcelain veneers, there is a limit to how much smile correction can be accomplished. This can also lead to bulky appearing and feeling veneers in some cases. Also, if you suffer from bruxism, clenching or grinding of your teeth, veneers can be damaged, chipped or cracked.

Since these are a little thinner than the average veneer, it actually requires even more skill and artistry on the part of the cosmetic dentist and the laboratory. Color management is challenging even with thick porcelain. When it is three-tenths of an inch thick, as these are, it is even more demanding for the laboratory and the cosmetic dentist. The thinness also makes the shaping of the teeth trickier. It is a good idea to seek the services of an expert cosmetic dentist, and make sure to view the dentist‘s previous work with Lumineers. Hue, chroma, translucency, color depth, brightness, and highlights, all need to be handled correctly for you to have a beautiful smile.

Mark Kowal is one of the partners of Family Dentist, Cosmetic, and Wellness Center. The family dentistry office provides cosmetic dentistry services throughout the Richmond Virginia area. For more information on their family dentist practice please visit their website.

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