Cosmetic Dentistry Directory Blog
Cosmetic Dentistry Directory
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Lumineers® vs. Porcelain Veneers
If you are considering porcelain veneers, odds are you’ve heard about a specific brand called Lumineers®. These popular alternative veneers are ultra-thin – the same thickness as a contact lens – and designed to require little to no preparation of your natural teeth, making the Lumineers® process both faster and less invasive than traditional porcelain veneers. You will not need any local anesthetic, and you can walk out with a new smile in as few as two office visits.
However, the thinness of Lumineers® does pose a few practical problems and limit the pool of viable candidates. You must have teeth that are already reasonably white and straight, since permanent stains or dark yellow teeth will show through a Lumineer®. You should also have space between your top and bottom rows of teeth to be a good Lumineers candidate. If your bite is too tight with no space, applying Lumineers could increase the biting surface of your teeth and potentially change your bite pattern altogether.
An experienced cosmetic dentist can help you determine whether or not you are a good candidate for Lumineers® after a thorough consultation and examination. Your current tooth structure, staining, and bite pattern will all be evaluated. Some patients are able to obtain excellent results from Lumineers®, while others need to use regular porcelain veneers to get the results they are looking for.
If you are considering transforming your smile with porcelain veneers, contact an experienced cosmetic dentist in your area today to schedule an initial consultation.
posted by Anonymous at 8:42 AM