Lumineers
Although we believe every smile is beautiful in its own way, even the slightest imperfections can make a smile’s owner feel self-conscious about showing off their pearly whites. Whether you have minor imperfections or more complex issues with the appearance of your smile, Lumineers can provide a simple, non-invasive option for masking imperfections and improving the look of your smile.
What Are Lumineers?
Lumineers are a special type of dental veneer. They are made of an extra-thin laminate material, making them a semi-permanent treatment because they do not require any removal of the tooth enamel for placement.
What Issues Can Lumineers Fix?
Like traditional porcelain veneers, Lumineers are strictly a cosmetic treatment designed to improve the look of a person’s smile. Lumineers have the following cosmetic applications:
- Improve smile balance or symmetry
- Correct the shape of misshapen or oddly sized teeth
- Fill in tooth gaps
- Correct the appearance of crooked teeth
- Mask stains and discoloration
- Cover chips, cracks, and broken teeth
- Cover up old silver-colored, amalgam dental fillings
Since Lumineers are so much thinner than porcelain veneers, they are more translucent. As a result, they do not cover up dark stains or discoloration as well as porcelain veneers do.
What To Expect When Getting Lumineers
Getting a set of Lumineers is a fairly quick and simple process. During your first appointment, one of our dentists can talk with you about your treatment goals, the concerns you have with your smile, and your treatment expectations to create a design for your Lumineers.
We then take a digital scan of your mouth to create a three-dimensional impression. This impression is then sent to the Lumineer manufacturing lab for your set of Lumineers to be custom-made to order.
When your new set of Lumineers is ready, we schedule a second appointment for placement. Since Lumineers are extra thin, they do not require any grinding to prepare your tooth enamel. Instead, they can be placed right away.
We first clean your teeth to ensure the surface is ready and then bond your Lumineers to your teeth using dental glue.
How Long Do Lumineers Last?
With average wear and tear, Lumineers typically last for around ten years before they need to be repaired or replaced.
If you treat them delicately and avoid chewing on hard objects or hard foods, wear protective mouthguards when playing sports, and wear a nightguard if you have sleep bruxism, then they can last even longer.
What’s the Difference Between Lumineers and Porcelain Veneers?
Although the treatment concepts are similar, several key differences exist between Lumineers and porcelain veneers. It’s important to be aware of these differences when deciding which treatment is right for you.
- Lumineers do not require the removal of a layer of tooth enamel for placement.
- Lumineers are semi-permanent since they can be removed with minimal damage to the natural teeth if desired.
- Lumineers are more translucent than veneers and do not always completely mask darker discoloration.
- Lumineers are more delicate and more easily damaged than veneers.
Lumineers, Porcelain Veneers, and Comprehensive Cosmetic Dentistry in Bucyrus
If you’re interested in learning more about Lumineers, porcelain veneers, and how other cosmetic dentistry treatments can help you create the smile of your dreams, we welcome you to schedule a smile makeover consultation with one of our dentists in Bucyrus. To create a more beautiful smile for life, contact Oakwood Dental today!