A lot of patients come into dental clinics with a lot of questions. One major and the most common one is “what are Lumineers?”
We shall answer and discuss these questions and explain all you need to know about Lumineers. However, to fully understand what Lumineers are, we should first understand what dental veneers are.
What are dental veneers?
Dental veneers are cosmetic shell-like teeth placed on the outer surface of the teeth to improve overall aesthetics and health. There are several types of dental veneers based on the material with which it is produced.
Dental veneers cover stained, discoloured, broken, chipped, cracked, or crooked teeth. It improves the overall look of the teeth, makes the smile more beautiful, and improves the mouth’s health.
What are Lumineers
Now that we understand what dental veneers are, it will be easier to understand and know the answer to the question, “what are Lumineers?”
Lumineers are a type of dental veneer. It is thinner, more durable, easier, and faster than regular dental veneers.
They are made from ultra-thin laminates, which gives them an ultra-thin look. Lumineers are thin, transparent, smooth, and slick to the touch.
Now you may be wondering who exactly Lumineers are made for or who can use Lumineers. Please read https://dentakay.com/lumineers/ to find out more.
Who are Lumineers suitable for?
Lumineers are suitable for those that have;
- gaps between teeth and other spacing problems
- “Too tiny” looking teeth
- misaligned teeth
- heavily discoloured teeth, including those that cannot be bleached or whitened
- teeth with crooked or damaged margins
- teeth that have cracks or chips
Lumineers can be installed in two visits and are made in a dental lab specializing in cutting-edge restorations. Once they are in place, you will take the same care of them, including regular brushing, flossing, and office visits to ensure your restorations remain in good condition.
Lumineers vs. Veneers – Which One is Better?
You might be unaware of how Lumineers vary from veneers aside from the application procedure.
Let’s examine how they stack up against one another and some of the benefits and drawbacks they each offer.
Dental veneers and Lumineers differ from one another in a few significant ways. To begin with, Lumineers are way thinner than conventional dental veneers, making them simpler to fix to your teeth because less tooth preparation is required before they are bonded. Lumineers typically have a thickness of about 0.2 mm, while traditional veneers have a thickness of about 0.5 mm.
Below are some other differences between Lumineers and dental veneers;
| Lumineers | Dental Veneers |
| It lasts for 8-15 years | It lasts for about 10-20 years |
| Dental restoration can be done in just one visit to the dentist | Dental restorations may take two or more visits |
| It can only be used to cover slightly discoloured and crooked teeth | It can be used to reverse more severe cases of stains and discolouration |
| It can be removed | It is permanent |
| It does not affect the teeth’ enamel | It affects the teeth’ enamel |
| There is no need for teeth grinding during the application process | It requires some form of tooth grinding |
Some of the similarities between Lumineers and Dental veneers include the following;
- They are highly resistant to stains.
- They can both be used to cover the flaws of the teeth
- Both are resistant to breakage, chipping, etc.
- They improve the aesthetics of the teeth
Lumineers Procedure – What To Expect
If you are thinking about getting Lumineers or want to learn more about the procedure, this article will shed light on what the Lumineer procedure entails.
Here is what the dental Lumineer procedure looks like;
- First, you should book a consultation with the dentist to discuss the goals, review the procedure, and conclude whether or not dental Lumineers are good for you.
- After this, the precise model of your teeth is done to make Lumineers unique to you.
- Following that, the Lumineers will be fixed on your teeth
- Once this is done, your perfect and beautiful smile is achieved.
Pros and Cons of Lumineers
Like other dental restorations, Lumineers also have advantages and, at the same time, disadvantages.
Pros of Lumineers
- It is not as expensive as other types of dental restorations
- It is semi-permanent. This means that it can be removed after it has been applied without causing damage to teeth and their enamel
- There is no need for trimming or removing the enamel of the teeth.
- It improves the aesthetics of the teeth and makes the smile more beautiful
- Fixing it takes little time
Cons of Lumineers
- They do not last as long as the traditional dental veneers
- They are so thin that they may not hide the imperfections of the teeth well
How to take care of your Lumineers
Now that you have the answer to the question “what are Lumineers” and have decided to proceed with the procedure, you will need to take care of the Lumineers to maintain them.
With proper maintenance, Lumineers can last for ten years and even longer. They are best-taken care of in the same manner as natural teeth because they are designed to replicate them.
We advise maintaining a good oral hygiene routine to get the best result from your Lumineers treatment and to keep your teeth healthy, happy, and beautiful for as long as possible. The process of caring for your Lumineers should include the following:
- Brushing your teeth at least two minutes twice daily
- Flossing each day
- avoiding too sweet or acidic foods and drinks
- visiting a dentist every six months for cleanings and examinations
- Limiting your consumption of foods that can stain your teeth, such as:
- Tea and coffee
- Coloured wine, e.g., red wine
- tomatoes sauces
- vinegar of balsam
- shady sodas
- Soy sauce
- energy and coloured drinks
- Candy and sweets etc.
Even though Lumineers are sturdy, long-lasting, and stain-resistant, these dark colours of meals and drinks could eventually cause them to dull or stain.
Final Thoughts
Are you on a journey to improve your smile and increase your self-confidence? Have you always thought dental veneers are the only non-invasive option you have?
Now you know that there are also Lumineers that can make your smile look better at a lesser cost.
Reach out and book a consultation with your dentist today to know that Lumineers are for you.
Reference page: https://www.verywellhealth.com/veneers-vs-lumineers-5210595