Lumineers Cost

The thought of a smile makeover often leads people to forget that Lumineers aren’t a universal fix. Sure, they can handle most cases of tooth misalignment or gaps, but in some instances they require additional help. This is where orthodontic work comes into the mix. You probably elected to get Lumineers to avoid the hassle with braces in the first place. However, you may have overlapping teeth or abnormal occlusion that might require some pre-operative treatment. These can place undue stress on the Lumineers, causing them to fracture and eventually fail prematurely. In some situations, you can bypass the orthodontia and instead have some extra tooth structure removed.

Only your cosmetic dentist can tell whether or not the circumstances warrant a unique treatment plan. If an improper assessment is made, and you are outfitted with Lumineers despite potential issues, you may not qualify for the 5-year limited warranty. It is explicitly stated that errors made on behalf of the dentist constitute zero coverage. This is one of the reasons why prospective patients are heartily encouraged to visit a certified practitioner who has been trained to install these veneers. Those who bash this product are often the “victims” of non-certified providers.

You don’t need to sacrifice aesthetics until you are eligible to be outfitted with Lumineers. Advancements in the orthodontic field have allowed for invisible braces that straighten your teeth discretely. These are a good fit for those with more mild problems; conventional braces will be required in some circumstances. Be aware, however, that you will have to commit to retainers once treatment is completed. This will keep your teeth from shifting back to their original position. Your retainers will have to be adjust for the Lumineers once you get them on.

If you have to pursue the orthodontic route as is, it might be worth considering completing ruling out Lumineers (if possible). When you tally all the costs associated with Lumineers and conventional veneers (including the initial price and maintenance work every ten or so years), you will see they far surpass those associated with braces. There’s also the issue of actually addressing the problem as opposed to masking it. Sometimes, this is obviously not the practical approach. Most adults dismiss the idea of wearing braces as its quite uncommon in the older age group (although growing in prevalence). Kids and teens, however, makes perfect candidates for orthodontia. They are much more at ease with the idea because many of their classmates wear or have worn braces.

If Lumineers are the most appealing solution to your problem, be sure to schedule a consultation with a certified provider. The margin for error in installing these veneers is far more contracted due to the non-invasive nature of the procedure. Botched installations can result in monthly visits to the cosmetic dentist’s office to reattach fallen veneers, or possibly worse a chicklet smile. Don’t be stingy or far too gracious in the financial department when hunting for a dentist either. See if you can sample some of the doctor’s past work to get an idea of whether he or she is right for you.

The large majority of our modern population tries to avoid going to the dentist at all costs. The primary point of dissuasion is the whir of the drill and (tragically) the accompanying and mind-numbing pain. One traumatic experience is enough to keep you away for decades. Up until more recently, patients wanting to receive dental veneers would have to undergo some extensive enamel removal which obviously entailed drilling. The lure of a beautiful smile was simply not motivation enough for most.

Lumineers were introduced to the market to provide a viable alternative to conventional veneers that eliminated the umpleasantries associated with installation. What allows for this minimal prep technique is the ultra-thin and durable nature of the veneers. They are manufactured of a special Cerinate (R) porcelain that is reinforced with leucite, a mineral that has been used in dentistry (specifically restorations) for its favorable thermal expansion properties. It is used in Lumineers to help enhance the strength and durability of the veneers.

What the enticing commercials don’t tell you is that there are actually three variations of the procedure. Obviously, it would be gullible to think that optimal conditions for the “no-prep” technique can be satisfied every time. This method is truly painless and absolutely no anesthesia is required. Patients who are good candidates for this least-invasive approach also get to leave home without temporaries.

The next preparation technique involves tooth contouring (or re-shaping). Only small amounts of enamel are removed (no more than 5mm) and the patient should be able to endure comfortably without anesthesia. Temporaries may be required with this technique, and some post-operative tooth sensitivity to heat and cold may surface. This should eventually subside.

The final method is identical that used in preparation for conventional veneers. Much more tooth structure removal is required to accommodate the Lumineers. The patient will have to be given local anesthesia to numb the pain. Temporaries are a must in these circumstances to protect against caries. Sensitivity is to be expected in the immediate days and weeks after the procedure.

Even the most invasive of these three techniques should not yield any substantial pain (given that anesthesia is properly administered in adequate doses). You can reduce any tooth sensitivity by taking analgesic medications pending the approval of your doctor. Any continued sensitivity beyond the one week mark may have to be reported to your cosmetic dentist.

The actual installation of the Lumineers should be anything but painful. The teeth will be cleaned, a mock fit will be performed to ensure everything is just right, and the teeth will be cemented in. The dentist will perform some cleanup of excess cement that has reached unwanted areas and will then proceed to cure the bonding mixture. This portion of the process will take thirty minutes to an hour. Those of you that get anxious with drill are should be forewarned that some slight drill use will be involved to aid in the removal of excess bonding agent. This will be painless so there is no need to over react.