Lumineers Cost

We’ve all heard the horror stories of patients getting their teeth grinded down to small nubs in preparation for dental veneers. This has deterred many from even considering veneers as a viable solution to their dental problems. Lumineers are a much more recent and innovative variation of veneers that can eliminate the need for tooth reduction and subsequently painful drilling. These veneers are much thinner than their conventional counterparts, allowing them to better accommodate the thickness of existing tooth structure. Now, we often correlate thickness with durability. Fortunately, Lumineers are constructed of Cerinate(R) porcelain which has a higher strength than comparable materials. Like conventional veneers, they come in a variety of shades to ensure they blend nicely with your existing teeth.

Depending on the particular technique used for tooth preparation, your teeth will more less remain intact after the Lumineers procedure. The first variation of the treatment involves no removal of tooth structure. This “no-prep” technique is best for patients with minimal tooth curvature and an optimal emergence profile. Since none of the tooth structure is harmed, the patient can have the veneers removed later down the road and enjoy his/her existing smile.

There are some downsides to this technique, one of them being a weaker bond between the tooth and veneer. One of the more common problems often reported with Lumineers actually happens to be of the product simply falling off. This is obviously an unpleasantry to experience, especially when you’ve invested several thousand dollars into your smile makeover. With structure removal taken out of the equation, there is also the issue of the added thickness created by the Lumineer. This could create for an overall un-natural look. This can be mitigated by visiting an experienced cosmetic dentist who can identify when some structure removal is necessary. There are thousands of Lumineers-certified dentists nationwide.

The other two variations of the treatment entail varying degrees of tooth structure removal (.3mm-to .5mm and .8mm to 2mm, respectively). Depending on the level of removal, the patient will have to keep the affected teeth protected with veneers or crowns as long as they have their teeth. Failure to do so will eventually result in dental decay. The former technique, referred to as the minimal contouring technique does not require anesthesia, but the latter does. They will both require temporaries to protect the teeth while the lab work is being completed, and may be a source of discomfort in the form of tooth sensitivity.

If you don’t qualify for the minimal preparation technique for one reason or another, it may be advisable to consider other avenues, especially if something as minute as a gap is bothering you. Problems such as this can be treated with orthodontia for a much smaller investment. There is no reason to tamper with healthy tooth structure unless you really need to. If aesthetics are a concern for you relative to orthodontic work, you may consider invisible braces. A consultation will reveal whether or not you are a good candidate.

At $1,000 a pop, Lumineers are a big investment for the average person. Naturally, people are curious to learn how they perform in the longevity and durability department. For starters, most tend to be alarmed by their ultra-thin nature. The manufacturer actually compares their thickness to that of contact lenses provided they are outfitted using the recommended bonding products. Lumineers are fabricated of a special porcelain material that is proprietary to their manufacturer. This material, Cerinate (R) porcelain is said to last up to 20 years (as indicated by clinical studies).

Some will dispute that any sort of veneers can last this long, especially when factoring in how most people care for their teeth in this day and age. A more realistic projection would probably be 10 years. The nice thing about Lumineers is that tooth structure removal is not mandated for installation (provided that the patient’s teeth can readily accommodate the increased thickness and have an optimal angle of emergence and rotation) . So if you grow tired of the veneers after several years, you can switch to conventional veneers or dental crowns. Just be aware that the preparation required to for these treatments is irreversible and will leave you bound to wearing some sort of restorations on the affected teeth for years to come.

Patients who undergo this procedure at the hands of an inexperienced cosmetic dentist tend to be dissatisfied with the results. Sometimes their veneers will fall off, leaving them with the impression that the treatment is a sham. This is nothing more than a case of misjudgement on behalf of the dentist. Don’t let these horror stories dissuade you as they fail to reflect on the actual quality of the product.

You may breathe a sigh of relief knowing that Lumineers come with a 5 year limited warranty. There are some restrictions you will have to abide by to qualify, including regular dental checkups and cleanings. Be sure your cosmetic dentist gives you the required documentation to complete to be eligible for the warranty. Assurance by word of mouth is never enough. If you haev the procedure done at a dentist not certified to perform this treatment, you run the risk of voiding your warranty if he/she does not conduct the installation using manufacturer recommended products.

Existing dental conditions could leave your Lumineers much more prone to wear and tear. Tooth grinding is one of such disorder that may translate to a greater need for maintenance. Although there is no official literature to confirm or deny this, hard foods are probably best avoided with any sort of dental veneers. You don’t want to risk jeopardizing the bond between the surface of the tooth and the veneer. Having the veneers replaced due to fractures can be an immense inconvenience. You will again have to schedule two separate dental visits and wear a temporary while your new veneers is getting fabricated in the lab. These sorts of accidents aren’t covered by the warranty mentioned above, so be ready to forfeit another thousand or so dollars for the slip up.