Cost of Lumineers Per Tooth

It’s common for people to wonder what justifies the substantial cost of Lumineers per tooth. A large portion of those who’ve conducted research on this procedure can’t begin to fathom why it can cost more than $1,500 to get one tooth outfitted with a thin, transparent porcelain sheet. This post will shed some insight into why this procedure can be rather costly, and why some patients prefer it over similar dental procedures. If you have any questions pertaining to your specific circumstances and whether or not you are a good candidate for Lumineers, they are best directed at your cosmetic dentist.

One of the factors that heavily contributes to the cost of Lumineers per tooth is preparation work. The patient must visit the dentist’s office multiple times before he or she is finally outfitted with Lumineers. During the initial consultation, a mold is taken of the patient’s teeth and sent to the lab for the development of an initial set of Lumineers. They are then returned and looked over by the doctor and patient. Any needed changes are noted. They are then shipped back to the lab for any necessary changes. As this occurs, the dentist will prepare the patient’s teeth by removing a portion of their tooth enamel. The teeth will then be outfitted with temporaries in anticipation for the arrival of the Lumineers. These multiple visits and lab costs can add up very quickly. Hence, we see where a major source of the cost of Lumineers per tooth is derived from.

Next, we have to consider the location of the dental practice installing the Lumineers. Physical location can shed a hefty influence on the cost of Lumineers per tooth. Practices in one area can charge an entirely different price than those in another. That’s not to say that you should find a practice offering Lumineers for the lowest price. Price is just one of the factors you should consider in your search for a dentist. A dentists’ experience will also come into play as he or she decides how much to charge for the procedure. Those with substantially more experience naturally charge more in outfitting patients with Lumineers.

Most patients wouldn’t think that Lumineers come with some sort of guarantee. Fortunately they do, which should be an indicator of what a quality product they are. According to the Lumineers website, their product comes with a 20 year warranty. That means if you experience problems with your teeth, you can head back to the dentist and get your Lumineers replaced as needed. Naturally, there are exceptions. You will need to consult the terms of the warranty to see what constitutes proper circumstances for replacement. This rather lengthy warranty likely has a major role in determining the cost of Lumineers per tooth.

We hope this post has been informative in showing you that the cost Lumineers can vary according to a number of different factors. As we’ve mentioned earlier, don’t use cost as a mere grounds of judging prospective dentists. Take a very comprehensive viewpoint and you should fare quite well with Lumineers.

Posted by admin | cost | Monday 10 November 2008 10:14 pm

Lumineers Over Existing Restorations?

In many situations, dental work can become extremely costly, especially when anything of a cosmetic nature is involved. After all, in this realm of dentistry insurance coverage is non-existent. It comes as a shock to many that restorations like dental crowns can easily exceed the $2,000 mark on a per tooth basis. This is a serious investment by all standards. So, what is one to do when their restoration fails prematurely? We could agree that buying new is not the most lucrative way out. In some scenarios you have the luxury of an alternative option.

Lumineers are thin dental veneers that made their debut in the dental industry not too long ago. The product was designed to appeal to a dental-phobic demographic. Lumineers were the first dental product of their kind to eliminate extensive, irreversible, and painful preparatory work. These veneers won over cosmetic dentists and patients alike who were impressed by their non-invasive approach yet spectacular end results. The makers of these veneers took yet another unique marketing angle by claiming that they could be bonded atop crowns and other restorations. This was obviously welcomed news to patients who were contemplating what to do with one more dilapidated crowns. Porcelain crowns, like veneers, can chip can crack over time. They require full replacement when this happens.

While this obviously sounds like the most lucrative avenue when compared to the alternatives, there are some things to consider. Some patients who have been outfitted with Lumineers in the traditional sense have complained of dislodgements. This in conditions where bond strength should be optimal, as the Lumineers are designed to be (directly) bonded to tooth enamel. The likelihood of this occurring is tremendous when the veneers are affixed to a porcelain surface. Even when properly etched, the results will be anything but long-lasting. So if you think you might be saving money with this approach, think again.

There is also the issue of aesthetics. When these veneers are bonded to the teeth, the dentist can drill away at some tooth structure to accommodate the increased thickness. This is not a possibility when crowns are part of the equation. Ultimately, the end result may be a bit more artificial looking than you would have liked. If your crowns were unnatural in appearance to begin with and they need replacing, you might opt to invest in all-porcelain crowns which look much more realistic.

Your cosmetic dentist should be able to accommodate your financial limitations, so looking for a cheaper alternative may not be necessary. Most providers work with lenders like CareOne, which can help divide the expense into convenient monthly payments. You will have to ask your dentist for further details. In the overall scheme of things, having your crowns replaced will be a bigger expense upfront, but they will outlast any solution your cosmetic dentist can devise using a combination of your existing restorations and Lumineers. You don’t want to allow your crown to wither away to the point that the internal tooth structure is threatened, so quick action is warranted. Good luck!

Posted by admin | faq | Friday 8 August 2008 6:08 pm
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