The Advantages of Lumineers

Lumineers are designed to perform the same job as other dental veneers – improve the way a person’s teeth and smile look. To do this, your dentist will fit the Lumineers directly over the tooth’s surface.

So, Lumineers and veneers are similar in one important way – what they do – but there are differences, including:

• Cosmetic improvements – Lumineers, like dental veneers, are effective at covering up a variety of modest cosmetic defects, such as minor discoloration, chips and cracks. Lumineers also improve the smile’s overall appearance by covering up any gaps in teeth and correcting a “gummy smile,” which occurs when the gingiva are more visible than normal when a person shows their teeth. Lumineers can offset some of the causes of a gummy smile.
  
  Standard dental veneers are typically thicker than Lumineers, so they’re a better choice for people with major discoloration issues. If stains or discoloration are too noticeable, they may show through the thinner Lumineers.
  
  
• Preparation time and procedure – Lumineers require less preparation (and less preparation time) than standard dental veneers. The standard process when installing dental veneers is to first prepare the enamel, as a small amount must be removed from the tooth to accommodate the veneer. This is to ensure the veneer fits, looks and feels right once placed. However, some enamel is lost in the process, so the procedure is considered permanent, and the veneer will need to remain in place to protect the tooth. Given the extra preparation involved, dentists will need to schedule several appointments to complete the treatment.
  
  Lumineers do not require this degree of preparation. In fact, no enamel at all is removed when placing Lumineers, so more of the tooth is left intact. Lumineers can also be placed quickly – usually within just two appointments.
  
  
• Composition – Dental veneers may be made from resin-like composite materials or made from thin shells of porcelain. Porcelain veneers are stronger and longer lasting but take longer to place and tend to be more expensive.
  
  Lumineers are made from thin porcelain shells – thinner than those used with standard dental veneers. Because they are thinner, Lumineers take up less space in the mouth and don’t require as much prep to place.
  
  
• Effective lifespan and permanence – Lumineers last for a long time once placed – between 10 and 20 years on average – so they are a long-term cosmetic option for patients. Standard dental veneers are a permanent option expected to last close to 20 years. However, if the veneers are damaged in any way, they will need to be removed.
  
  There is a tradeoff between the permanence of traditional veneers and the semipermanence of Lumineers. One of the advantages of Lumineers is that they can be removed without damaging the teeth if need be. If, for example, a patient isn’t happy with how their Lumineers look, they can be removed without any permanent effects.
  
  
• Cost – Lumineers are typically a little less expensive per tooth than other dental veneers, though the exact cost difference will vary depending on the type of veneers you’re comparing the Lumineers to. In general, though, you can expect to pay a little less due to the lighter preparation involved in placing them.

In summary, Lumineers and standard dental veneers both have their own advantages. For Lumineers, the advantages are cost and preparation-related, as they can be placed without affecting the tooth’s enamel and can therefore be placed quickly.