Lumineers Cost

Our diet has seen a substantial decline in quality over recent years. We are consuming soda, coffee, like never before. While on the decline, smoking is still a big contributor to tooth discoloration. Naturally, this has had a profound effect on our teeth. More and more people are gravitating towards tooth whitening products and treatments to reverse oral negligence. However, not everyone sees satisfactory results. Oftentimes the makers of whitening kits make absurd promises that are simply impossible to mimic outside of a professional setting. In addition, consumers tend to have exorbitantly high expectations for whitening systems even when negligible investments are involved. While professional caliber procedures have consistently yielded modest to exceptional results, they have some downsides. One of the more noteworthy is that they require follow up treatment. Your pearly whites will last for not much longer than a few months, possibly less if you indulge in foods and beverages that are known to cause staining (ie. coffee, berries, etc.). Few have the time or money to sustain such a routine.

An alternative that is typically absent amidst discussions of whitening solutions is Lumineers. These veneers are fabricated of porcelain, which is renowned for its durable, tooth-like nature. It is often found in other dental restorations like crowns. One extremely favorable characteristic of porcelain is that it is stain resistant. If you care for your Lumineers properly (ie. avoiding any sort of abrasive toothpastes and dental treatments), they will stay as white as the first day you bought them. Talk to your dentist to obtain recommendations for safe products. If you accidentally dull the surface of the veneers, you can have them polished to restore their luster and color.

Now, will all this in mind, there are some warnings in order. First off, the bonding cement used to affix the Lumineers to your teeth can stain. Den-Matt LCC (the company responsible for Lumineers) recommends that cosmetic dentists use an Ultra-Bond cementing agent. It has shown to be resistant to staining in most circumstances, however marginal staining is still a possibility. This is despite the fact that excess cementation is carefully cleaned away during the procedure You can minimize your risk in the face of such mishaps by eliminating staining foods from your diet and by maintaining your oral hygiene with regular brushing.

Let’s not forget that teeth not treated with the Lumineers product can still stain with the right conditions. This will create some color matching issues which only a professional whitening treatment will correct. Alternatively, you may opt to have the veneers replaced but this can get costly.

The bottom line is that Lumineers are an ideal, long-term solution for tooth discoloration. While they are resistant to staining (as discussed above), this does not give patients a green light to indulge in poor eating habits, that is, unless they are prepared to incur a financial loss. If you have been suffering at the hands of tooth staining for some time, talk to a cosmetic dentist about this innovative procedure to secure the relief which you desire.

Bruxism (tooth grinding), although a condition associated with the teeth, is categorized as a sleeping disorder (for it primarily occurs during intervals of rest). Patients who suffer from tooth grinding can experience an array of symptoms. Headaches, jaw pain, and occlusual wear are all potential symptoms depending on the severity of the disorder. In the large number of cases, bruxism is not particularly detrimental to the teeth. Many patents with a more destructive variant may be provided mouthguards by their dentist to protect their teeth against nocturnal grinding. The aesthetic side effect of tooth grinding can be profound. The teeth take on a very angular appearance following extended periods of little to no treatment. If sufficient tooth enamel is removed, the teeth also become extremely susceptible to decay, posing an additional health risk. While dental crowns are usually preferred in treating the fallout from this condition, more and more patients are exploring alternative avenues, among them Lumineers.

Lumineers are thin shells of Cerinate (R) porcelain which are affixed to the teeth to remedy misalignment, gaps, discoloration, and a number of other defects. Unlike crowns, they do not encase the entire tooth structure and are not structurally supported by anything beyond the tooth. Crowns, on the other hand, can be fused with metal to further increase durability. This is a major concern as the intense clenching prevalent in some cases of bruxism can place immense strain on the Lumineers, causing them to fracture. There is no easy way to repair this beyond completely replacing the veneer. Porcelain, although a very durable material, will also not withstand the constant grinding effect, again eventually cracking. Now, as far as clenching is concerned, there are very few ways to control the behavior in order to feel safe about going ahead with Lumineers. Botox has shown to be a potential solution, impeding the muscles that are actually responsible for the clenching. The ill-effects of the grinding itself can be mitigated by wearing a mouthguard every night. These are custom-made by your dentist for the modest price of a few hundred dollars. The guard will have to be replaced regularly as it will eventually dilapidate.

Don’t make the mistake of ignoring the maintenance costs associated with choosing Lumineers over crowns. Crowns are initially the more expensive option but they will definitely outlast veneers, especially when bruxism is part of the equation. You will still need to wear the mouthguard with crowns as their outer structure is susceptible to fracturing. As in the case with veneers, this requires complete replacement of the restoration which should be added incentive to commit extra diligently to the mouthguard. Remember that you get extra protection from crowns against cavities, so that’s also something to factor in. The good news in all of this is that your insurance may have to cover some of the costs. Getting crowns in such circumstances is obviously not cosmetic, and there are no cheaper alternatives available to you to prevent your teeth from sustaining any further damage. You will have to talk to your insurance company for further details.