With today’s incredible advances in state-of-the-art dental technology, a perfect smile can be more attainable and accessible. Dental veneers and Lumineers, while sharing some qualities, have their differences but are made for one common purpose—to enhance your oral appearance by fixing dental imperfections.
This article will discuss the similarities and differences between veneers and Lumineers and ultimately guide you in figuring out which one you may need.
What is a Dental Veneer?
Veneers have long been used to create perfect Hollywood smiles in as few as two dental visits. These traditional veneers are thick porcelain shells that camouflage against stains, chips, cracks and gaps.
Veneers cover the front surface of your tooth or teeth to cover cosmetic imperfections. Orthodontic smile solutions, including braces and Invisalign, can straighten teeth but can be time-consuming. Moreover, orthodontic treatment alone cannot correct chipped or poorly shaped teeth.
Types of Veneers
There are multiple kinds of veneers, and a different process comes with each.
- Composite Veneers: fix mild cosmetic problems using a colored resin
- Porcelain Veneers: these fix numerous imperfections. Requires the removal of enamel beforehand, which roughens the surface of your teeth to help the veneer adhere.
- No-prep Veneers: these are customized to your smile. These also require enamel removal, but it is minimally invasive.
- Removable: Similar to retainers, these pop on and off easily but make eating and speaking difficult.
What is a Dental Lumineer?
Lumineers are a form of veneers that offer ultra-thin porcelain shells to be adhered directly to your existing teeth without removing your healthy underlying tooth structure. This process, which is less preparation and advanced dental work, contrary to veneers, allows you to correct imperfections in your smile without any drills or anesthetic shots. Teeth can instantly appear straight, chip-free, bright, and beautiful.
The patented ceramic used to create Lumineers is designed to reflect light in the same semi-translucent way that a natural tooth does, blending seamlessly with your enamel and providing a natural-looking smile.
Lumineers can correct any smile concerns, from minor chips to a complete smile makeover. They provide a painless, instant, and reversible way to enjoy the smile of your dreams.
Who Could Benefit from Dental Veneers?
If you have any of the following, you could benefit from dental veneers:
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Stained teeth
- Short teeth
- Misshapen teeth
- Gapped teeth
Who Could Benefit from Dental Lumineers?
Lumineers are meant to camouflage the same dental flaws that veneers cover. However, the beauty of Lumineers is that they painlessly perfect your smile without requiring the removal of existing tooth structures. With virtually no pain or downtime, Lumineers are suitable for anyone who wants a more beautiful smile. Lumineers can be placed to address chips or staining, to adjust the appearance of tooth position without months or years of orthodontic treatment, or to brighten and correct any smile imperfection.
The Process at Twin Dental
Dental Veneers
The process will start with a consultation, where we will determine which type of veneer is best for you.
Following the consultation and before placing veneers, we will prepare your teeth. This process typically involves removing about half a millimeter of enamel from the tooth surface, which is roughly equal to the thickness of the veneer to be added. Before trimming off the enamel, you may receive a local anesthetic to numb the area. Your dentist will then make a model or impression of your tooth. This model is sent out to a dental laboratory, which constructs your veneer. The veneers usually take 2-4 weeks to return from the laboratory.
The life expectancy can differ depending on the type of veneer you choose. On average, porcelain veneers last roughly 10-15 years, while composite veneers last approximately three years.
Dental Lumineers
The entire Lumineers process is remarkably convenient for patients
On your initial visit, your dentists discuss your smile goals and determine the number of Lumineers to be placed. We will then take impressions of your teeth, allowing custom Lumineers to be created in a specialized laboratory. Since Lumineers do not require the removal of your healthy tooth structure, you will not need to undergo any drilling or filing and will leave your first appointment without the need for any uncomfortable temporary veneers.
Your second visit will generally be between one to three weeks later. After trying on your custom-made Lumineers to ensure the perfect fit and smile, your teeth will be minimally prepared with a light etching solution, and your Lumineers will be expertly bonded on to your existing teeth. We will confirm the fit and bite of your brand-new smile, and the process is complete!
Since Lumineers are incredibly durable and chip and stain resistant, you can eat and drink without worry of damage or staining. Lumineers have been clinically tested for durability and can last up to 20 years.
What Are The Long-Term Benefits?
Veneers offer multiple benefits, such as a long-term, natural-looking appearance. They provide added strength to your existing teeth and require little maintenance after they are put on.
Lumineers offer long-term benefits with patented technology to update your smile permanently yet reversibly. Having a healthy and beautiful smile can provide you with greater self-confidence.
Lumineers have been used for more than 30 years among dental experts and have been clinically tested to last long-term. Lumineers can last for more than 20 years, resisting chips and stains, allowing you to enjoy the benefits of your beautiful smile without worry. As always, regular visits to your dentist can help ensure the lasting health of your smile, so be sure to continue your regular dental check-ups at least every six months.
Schedule an Appointment
If you’re interested in dental veneers or Lumineers and want to learn more, schedule a consultation at Twin Dental. We can have your smile perfected in no time!
