Lumineers Cost

The question of whether Lumineers are preferred over braces and vice-versa surfaces quite often. It’s not very easy to answer without knowing the specifics of a particular case. Lumineers have the lure of instant results without pain, but such outcomes are not always possible. Sometimes the existing tooth structure requires extensive modification before these veneers can be properly installed. The concern with braces almost always revolves around the length of treatment and post-treatment inconvenience. A majority of patients have to wear braces for a year or more, and thereafter are forced to wear retainers to keep the teeth from reassuming their original position. You and your dentist can come to a solid decision by examining a few key questions.

How long am I willing to wait?

Time is sometimes a factor with dental treatments. Various careers require different levels of public interface and frankly not everyone feels comfortable sporting braces in these types of conditions. If time is a factor in your situation, than by all means get Lumineers. The treatment can be completed in a matter of weeks, largely depending on how fast the lab is able to process your veneers (which usually takes about 3 weeks). With Lumineers, you bypass the inconvenience of having to wear temporaries and can go about your life normally right after you have them outfitted on your teeth.

Will I be able to maintain my Lumineers?

Any type of veneer will eventually require maintenance. Once your braces come off, this is not so much of an issue. You just need to remember to continue wearing your retainers. Cracked or fractured veneers don’t just translate to lost time, but also more money out of your pocket. Unless your Lumineers are still under warranty (which lasts 5 years from the date of purchase if certain conditions are met), you can expect to pay the same amount (or more) for you new set.

How much am I willing to invest?

There can be an immense gap between how much veneers will cost you vs. braces depending on how many teeth you are hoping to get done. Lumineers typically cost $1,000 and over per tooth. Braces on the other hand can cost anywhere from $2,000 – $7,000 for most cases. With the veneers, you obviously have to factor in the cost of maintenance. Their life longevity can vary, but failure within the first ten years is common. Either procedure can be financed if needed.

It’s very important to talk to a Lumineers-certified cosmetic dentist if you are seriously considering this procedure. General dentists are usually not recommended for this treatment (which is usually true for traditional veneers as well). You don’t want to have your sights set on it to find that the no-prep technique is unsuitable for your teeth or that you will require orthodontic work prior to being outfitted with the veneers. Additionally, try not to be swayed into taking either route without a proper examination. A dentist will need to thoroughly examine your teeth before making distinctions, so unless you’re teeth have been checked out don’t readily accept any advice.

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.