Everything You Need To Know About Lumineers for Teeth
This is a collaborative post.
Lumineers are ideal for covering tooth discolourations, misalignment, and tooth gaps. You may be conscious when you smile, laugh, or speak if you have any of these oral issues. Fortunately, with lumineers, you don’t have to be self-conscious anymore. Dentists at Dentakay dental clinic are specialists in fixing lumineers and enhancing your smile.
What Are Lumineers?
Lumineers are ceramic veneers. They are ultra-thin and about 0.3mm in thickness. Due to this thickness, the dentist does not need to shave your teeth. Hence the procedure is minimally invasive, reversible, and does not increase teeth sensitivity.
How Are They Different From Veneers?
Lumineers are similar yet different from traditional veneers. The solution they offer makes them a popular treatment. The differences between them and traditional veneers include the following;
Thickness
They are ultra-thin; hence they do not require the removal of tooth enamel. On the other hand, porcelain veneers are thicker than lumineers, requiring tooth enamel removal to accommodate them.
Procedure
Lumineers’ procedures are faster than the veneer placement procedure. In addition, they are minimally invasive and do not require the use of anaesthesia. On the other hand, due to teeth filing, you have to get anaesthesia during a veneer procedure.
Durability
Both lumineers and veneers are durable. However, lumineers are more susceptible to chips compared to porcelain veneers.
Cost
Lumineers are comparatively cheaper than veneers. And this is because the procedure is straightforward and does not involve enamel removal.
Reversibility
Porcelain veneers are permanent and irreversible. However, you can always remove and replace lumineers when necessary.
What Problems Do Lumineers Solve?
They are ideal for solving several dental problems, including;
- Discoloured teeth
Teeth are prone to stains with age. Lifestyle also increases the susceptibility to stains. For instance, consuming teeth-staining foods or smoking makes you more likely to have teeth discolourations. Other causes of teeth discolourations include trauma, genetics, disease, and medications.
- Misshapen teeth
Uneven or misshapen teeth affect your appearance, especially when you smile. Therefore, lumineers cover up this imperfection to give you a more uniform smile.
- Tooth gaps
Tooth gaps may affect your speech and smile. They are non-invasive, and they can cover up gaps between the teeth.
- Chipped teeth
Accidents can cause teeth to chip, affecting your self-confidence. Fortunately, they cover chipped teeth, helping you show off your smile.
What Are The Disadvantages?
Although lumineers cover several imperfections without requiring the loss of tooth enamel, this cosmetic dental solution still has its downsides. A significant disadvantage of them is that they don’t cover tooth imperfections or veneers. Lumineers are translucent. Hence, they can be a bad option for severely stained teeth.
Another downside is that the bond can loosen over time, causing the shells to slip out of place. Therefore, avoiding tearing or twisting food is best to prevent weakening the bond.
Procedure For Getting Lumineers
The procedure is straightforward and requires only two visits to the dentist. The procedure is painless and does not require drilling your tooth enamel or using anaesthesia. During the first visit to the dentist, your dentist will carry out an oral examination and examine your facial features.
If you qualify for lumineers, your dentist will take an impression of your teeth and send it to a dental laboratory. Suppose you have oral issues like gum disease or tooth decay. Your dentists will have to resolve them before you can get lumineers.
During your second visit, the lumineers must be ready. After slightly etching the tooth surface, the dentist will bond the shells to your teeth with a bonding cement. The next step requires the dentists to harden the bonding cement with a curing light.
It is important to note that you can get same-day lumineers at some dental clinics. This dental clinic uses CAD/CAM technology to print them in the dental office instead of sending impressions to a dental lab.
Are They Expensive?
Compared to traditional veneers, lumineers cost less. However, the price of lumineers is different across all dental clinics. Factors affecting the price include the location, dentists’ experience, and additional procedures.
Location is very crucial to the cost. For instance, Turkey offers lumineers at a lower price than the UK and USA. Nevertheless, the quality of treatment in Turkey is outstanding and one of the most sought-after in Europe.
In addition, experienced dentists charge more for lumineers. This is because they are a technical procedure, and if anyone places them, there are risks of developing bite problems. However, this is not the case with an experienced dentists. Hence, the higher costs.
Additional procedures are another factor influencing the cost. For example, you will have to pay more if you have to get gum disease or cavity treatment before your dentist places the lumineers.
How Long Do Lumineers Last?
Lumineers are durable and can last between 10 and 20 years. Nevertheless, the way you maintain them determines how long they last.
You can maintain them by observing proper oral hygiene and visiting the dentist for routine cleanings. In addition, if you grind your teeth, especially when sleeping, a night guard can help protect your lumineers.
Other maintenance tips include limiting teeth-staining foods like coffee and avoiding tobacco products. Furthermore, if you play sports, it is best to use a mouthguard to protect your teeth from trauma.
Can You Whiten Lumineers?
No, they do not respond to teeth whitening treatment. Therefore, if you want a whiter shade, you must replace the lumineers.
Conclusion
Your smile should be the last thing you should worry about. So, if you have teeth imperfections like discolourations, gaps, and crookedness, visit a dentist to get lumineers. Your dentist will examine your oral health and perform necessary procedures, ensuring you qualify.
Reference website Very Well Health.