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.

There is little room for argument that teenagers have been influenced by the celebrity culture in more ways than one. They try to model celebrity behavior in any way possible. One aspect often associated with the culture of the “rich and famous” is a seemingly perfect smile. You’d be hard-pressed to name any individual immersed in the media spotlight that doesn’t have a beautiful smile. What you see on television is nothing more than the work of world-class cosmetic dentists. The large majority of these individuals were anything but blessed with flawless teeth.

Now, there has been somewhat of a disturbing trend among the teenage population. More and more kids have been asking their parents for Lumineers. As a parent, it’s your ultimate goal to see that your child is happy and well cared for. Even if money is not an object, this type of decision is best contemplated thoroughly before any action is taken.

At the younger age levels, orthodontic work is typically preferred over cosmetic fixes. It can address many of the same issues as the latter, including gaps and misaligned teeth. Treatment can be intrusive in that the child is forced to wear bulky and uncomfortable orthodontia. Braces are the suggested treatment because they actually correct the problem, unlike Lumineers or traditional veneers which simply hide it. Children who wear braces are actually at an advantage when compared to their adult counterparts as they are immersed in an environment with others in the same “brace-face” predicament. Adults, on the other hand aren’t so lucky.

Teenagers can be extremely indecisive and unfortunately Lumineers don’t conform to this sort of flexibility. Although they are advertised as being a “non-prep” solution, some circumstances warrant varying degrees of enamel removal. This poses a problem because that protective layer can never be restored. If it remains unprotected, it will be susceptible to decay. So unless you can accurately predict whether or not your child will be comfortable wearing Lumineers or crowns for the rest of their lives, veneers are best avoided.

When it comes down to, there is no set lower age limit for Lumineers. It is ultimately at the discretion of the individual cosmetic dentist. Most will refuse to operate on teenagers for the reasons outlined above. Tooth enamel is far too precious to abrade when the teeth are still healthy and other viable alternatives exist.

Now, if the person happens to be a good candidate for the “no-prep” variation of the procedure, it may be worth considering. However, remember that the Lumineers require maintenance and those costs can accumulate rather quickly. Further, the results may not prove very favorable in the absence of enamel removal (which can create a “bulky” look and diminish the translucency of the veneers). The end result is known as “chicklet teeth.” This is why some enamel removal is typically preferred. At the very least discuss the option of invisible braces with your child to see if they would be interested in pursuing that route. They are much more aesthetically pleasing than conventional orthodontia and won’t require the commitment that Lumineers do.