Lumineers Cost

There is little room for argument that teenagers have been influenced by the celebrity culture in more ways than one. They try to model celebrity behavior in any way possible. One aspect often associated with the culture of the “rich and famous” is a seemingly perfect smile. You’d be hard-pressed to name any individual immersed in the media spotlight that doesn’t have a beautiful smile. What you see on television is nothing more than the work of world-class cosmetic dentists. The large majority of these individuals were anything but blessed with flawless teeth.

Now, there has been somewhat of a disturbing trend among the teenage population. More and more kids have been asking their parents for Lumineers. As a parent, it’s your ultimate goal to see that your child is happy and well cared for. Even if money is not an object, this type of decision is best contemplated thoroughly before any action is taken.

At the younger age levels, orthodontic work is typically preferred over cosmetic fixes. It can address many of the same issues as the latter, including gaps and misaligned teeth. Treatment can be intrusive in that the child is forced to wear bulky and uncomfortable orthodontia. Braces are the suggested treatment because they actually correct the problem, unlike Lumineers or traditional veneers which simply hide it. Children who wear braces are actually at an advantage when compared to their adult counterparts as they are immersed in an environment with others in the same “brace-face” predicament. Adults, on the other hand aren’t so lucky.

Teenagers can be extremely indecisive and unfortunately Lumineers don’t conform to this sort of flexibility. Although they are advertised as being a “non-prep” solution, some circumstances warrant varying degrees of enamel removal. This poses a problem because that protective layer can never be restored. If it remains unprotected, it will be susceptible to decay. So unless you can accurately predict whether or not your child will be comfortable wearing Lumineers or crowns for the rest of their lives, veneers are best avoided.

When it comes down to, there is no set lower age limit for Lumineers. It is ultimately at the discretion of the individual cosmetic dentist. Most will refuse to operate on teenagers for the reasons outlined above. Tooth enamel is far too precious to abrade when the teeth are still healthy and other viable alternatives exist.

Now, if the person happens to be a good candidate for the “no-prep” variation of the procedure, it may be worth considering. However, remember that the Lumineers require maintenance and those costs can accumulate rather quickly. Further, the results may not prove very favorable in the absence of enamel removal (which can create a “bulky” look and diminish the translucency of the veneers). The end result is known as “chicklet teeth.” This is why some enamel removal is typically preferred. At the very least discuss the option of invisible braces with your child to see if they would be interested in pursuing that route. They are much more aesthetically pleasing than conventional orthodontia and won’t require the commitment that Lumineers do.

Tooth bonding is an overlooked cosmetic dentistry procedure that can correct many of the same things other, more expensive restorations can including gaps, misalignment and chipped teeth. The aspect which stands out most about this procedure is its cost, not that it should be the single deciding factor. When compared to Lumineers and even conventional veneers, bonding always prevails in the price department. At most, the treatment will run you several hundred per tooth. It’s impossible to make an informed decision about tooth bonding without considering its advantages and drawbacks relative to other procedures. We have spelled these out in plain terms below.

Defining what you want to get accomplished and in what time frame is essential in choosing the right procedure. For small chips and other minor abnormalities, bonding is more practical choice. It makes little sense to pay $1,000 to restore a single chipped tooth to perfect condition with Lumineers. This is actual not a realistic scenario as an experienced cosmetic dentist will refuse to install a single veneer due to color matching restraints. So, you can realistically up the cost to $2,000. Your dental insurance should cover bonding for the tooth as it isn’t necessarily cosmetic. Good luck getting that to happen with the Lumineers. When it comes to dealing with more profound problems that are extended over larger areas, the veneers make more sense. For instance, tooth discoloration affecting several teeth is best treated with Lumineers. Bonding resin, unlike porcelain, can stain and sooner or later the patient will find him/herself back to square one. The bottom line is that composite bonding is most suitable for small fixes, while veneers for larger problems. As far as treatment length is concerned, bonding can be performed within a single appointment. Veneers require two appointments. During the first, the teeth are prepared for installation. When the Lumineers arrive back from the lab (which can take three or more weeks) they are test fitted and finally installed.

In terms of life longevity, neither veneers nor bonding is a permanent solution. Composite bonding will wear faster, requiring replacement every few years. The better a patient’s oral hygiene and eating habits, the longer the composite resin will remain intact. Lumineers are advertised to last 20 years, but a safer assumption would be ten. After factoring in the cost of maintenance for bonding, you may find that it is the more expensive avenue.

Both procedures can produce excellent results, but the porcelain will retain its luster and color shade far better than the composite resin in the long term. The end outcome is largely in the hands of the cosmetic dentist. Both Lumineers and bonding can be difficult to pull off without sufficient experience. The former are difficult to install due to the limited amount of tooth structure removal which can be performed, and the latter because it’s conducted freehand. Regardless of whichever of these procedures you choose, finding an experienced dentist is of paramount importance. Always choose a cosmetic dentist based on their qualifications and not the price they’re offering. This will ensure satisfaction with the final outcome.