Lumineers are a special type of porcelain veneer. In most ways, they are very similar to traditional veneers. Just like traditional veneers, they are tooth-shaped shells of porcelain, and they are designed to cover up the front surfaces of your teeth. This allows you to treat a wide variety of cosmetic imperfections, ranging from small chips to uneven teeth, severe staining, and more.
However, there is a big difference. Lumineers are a lot thinner than veneers. They use an advanced ceramic material that’s very strong, but is nearly as thin as a contact lens (0.2mm). This means that Lumineers do not add as much bulk to your teeth.
Because of this, Lumineers can often be placed without removing any of your enamel, or with the removal of only a small amount of enamel. In contrast, traditional veneers require quite a bit of your natural enamel to be removed.
This is why Lumineers are also called “minimal prep” or “no-prep” veneers. They do not require your teeth to be trimmed. Not only does this simplify the procedure, but it means that Lumineers can be removed in the future if you ever change your mind. This is not possible with traditional veneers.
Lumineers work the same way that veneers do, and the treatment process is very similar. First, you’ll come to Origin Dental for an appointment with Dr. Victor Tran. He will examine your mouth and clean your teeth, then take impressions of your smile. These will be sent to a dental lab where your Lumineers will be made.
Then, you’ll come back to our office in 2-3 weeks to have your veneers placed. Dr. Tran will check the fit of each veneer, then apply a special liquid to your teeth to roughen them slightly. Then, your Lumineers will be bonded into place permanently using dental cement.
This depends on a few different factors. If you have relatively mild cosmetic issues with your teeth and you do not want a permanent treatment or would prefer to avoid having some of your enamel drilled away, Lumineers may be a good choice. They offer fast results, are reversible, and the process is less invasive compared to traditional veneers.
However, Lumineers do have some limitations. Because they’re so thin, they are not always the best choice for treating teeth with deep stains, or treating larger chips in the teeth. If you have severe cosmetic issues with your smile, traditional veneers may be a better choice.
Still not sure what’s right for you? Contact Origin Dental. Dr. Victor Tran offers both traditional veneers and Lumineers in Sorrento Valley and San Diego. He can explain each treatment in further detail and examine your mouth to determine which treatment is the best option for your unique situation.
