Comparing Lumineers To Traditional Veneers

Crooked, chipped, discolored, or worn down teeth are often viewed as unattractive, but they are a common occurrence among many. If you suffer from these problems, you no longer need to worry – there are ways to treat them! Two of the ways to treat these problems are lumineers and traditional veneers. 

Here is a look at both treatments:

1. Both are suited to people on the go because under the hands of a qualified dentist, these can be finished in as little as two visits. Both are made from thin and porous porcelain, are stain proof, natural in appearance, durable and resilient. They are also designed to last for years if coupled with proper home care, cleansing and regular visits to the dentists.

1. Since there is no removal of sensitive tooth structure, no injections are required in this procedure, making this comfortable even for sensitive patients. It can be placed directly over the whole front of the tooth and requires no temporaries to be worn. In most cases, this can be reversed in case you do not like the results. Also, Lumineers give the appearance of straighter teeth.

However, these are recommended only for minor cosmetic adjustments and not for serious dental makeovers or orthodontic work. They are best for minor tooth imperfections like covering visible portions of the teeth, straightening and lengthening teeth and concealing stained or discolored fillings.

Traditional Veneers

Traditional veneers, also called “dental porcelain laminates” are custom-shaped thin shells that permanently bond to teeth. Tracing its first use in Hollywood in the 1930’s, it has since grown in use and deemed an ideal replacement for your teeth and less bulky and more natural looking than lumineers.

Advantages: Its primary advantages range from providing relief from severe crowding of the teeth by straightening these, giving your teeth a more symmetrical and balanced look, and filling a gap or space of a cavity. Since it uses thin porcelain, it should not feel bulky nor cause additional extra thickness.

Disadvantages: It is a non reversible procedure. The preparations for this include drilling of the tooth and removal of some structure, thus requiring the use of an anesthetic. In some rare instances especially if a deep cavity is present and needs to be cleaned, nerves could be exposed despite the restoration. Before the procedure is fully completed, you might need to wear temporaries.

Lumineers

Lumineers are really custom designed veneers that require lesser preparation with very little or virtually no removal of tooth structure. It is ultra thin and considered a pleasant way to restore whiteness of your tooth to add to your beautiful smile. Strict guidelines govern the placement of cement to warranty the product and resolution is quick and permanent with very few complaints.

Disadvantages: Most complaints stem from it detaching soon after the procedure is done which may require additional visits to the dentists. Since these are ultra thin and quite translucent, it may not adequately cover the natural tooth color. If your tooth if is a bit darker than usual, another layer may be needed to “block” the darker tint from showing through. Patients also complain of a “toothier” or a more prominent look of their teeth.

Veneers and lumineers have similarities and differences, which are mentioned above. Combined with your dentist’s professional advice, we hope you will have an easy time deciding which treatment best suits you.

A Family Dental Care Center
2030 W. Main St.
Jeffersonville, PA 19403