With Lumineers, cosmetic dentistry is now quick, relatively simple and very much non-invasive that can turn crooked, stained unruly teeth into correctly aligned beautiful white teeth that can contribute so much to a radiant smile.
Lumineers are essentially the ultra thin version of traditional veneers and is the most popular of the no-prep porcelain veneers.
Since they are completely painless, without any drilling/prep (in most cases) and simple cosmetic procedure unlike the slightly more invasive traditional veneers, they are preferred unless the teeth have dark stains or exhibit excessive crowding in which case traditional porcelain veneers give better results.
Lumineers are also great for people who already have decent teeth but want to perfect the look with a seemingly superficial but long-lasting procedure (See 3rd figure from top on the left)
The entire procedure can be completed in two sittings. During the initial visit the dentist will do a thorough examination of your teeth and gums to ascertain if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Then an impression of your teeth will be taken. Additional photos of your gum-line and mouth will also be sent to an authorized Lumineers labaratory with the impression mould.
On your subsequent visit, the lumineers will be bonded to the teeth. Before bonding, the dentist will check for any misconfiguration and will also ensure if the bite is fine. Even the slightest protrusion will transfer the bite force to the lumineer leading to wear and tear, so this is important. Once the dentist is satisfied with the fit, the teeth are adequately etched and the lumineer is bonded.
Lumineers are usually a no-prep procedure, which means no shaping of teeth is usually done – but depending on the situation, some shaping might be needed in which case it will be done before an impression is taken.
1. Minor cosmetic or color improvement to the teeth. They are well suited in cases where a drastic color change is not required.
2. Already fairly straight teeth. In procedures using Lumineers, tooth reduction or trimming is rarely done. Thus, it is ideal for those teeth that are to be resurfaced, rather than to be reshaped, to enhance their straightness.
3. Fixing gaps between teeth, especially of those that are small or inclined (as opposed to bucked teeth). Again, in using Lumineers, there is no reduction of the tooth, there is, instead, an increase of it. This increase can be used to realize the small changes (such as closing gaps) that are wanted.
4. They can be used to fill in the space created when a portion of a tooth has been chipped or broken off.
5. Renew old dental work. If you had dental work done 30 years ago, then even though it may still be functional–it can make them look dull. Adding a new Lumineer to the old crown or bridgework can renew your smile.
6. An alternative to braces Lumineers can provide some of the benefits of orthodontics–and make the teeth whiter, which is something that braces can not do–provided that there are no severe problems.
7. Enhance your smile. Veneers can be used to make a good thing even better.
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