Lumineers Cost

We should all (hopefully) be accustomed to visiting our dentist every six months to a year for a checkup and cleaning. If any dental decay is detected during the checkup process, it is usually repaired promptly to avoid any further damage (which can lead to root canals and other equally unpleasant procedures). If our fillings show signs of dislodgement or leaks, they are replaced. If the checkup reveals no abnormalities, our teeth are simply cleaned of plaque that can trigger caries and create an overall unsightly tooth shade.

Patients who are outfitted with Lumineers often wonder whether routine dental visits are still required. Yes, they are still i necessary for many of the reasons mentioned above. Those teeth not affected by the Lumineers procedure can still decay and be subject to other irregularities. The veneers themselves are resistant to staining and decay, but the underlying tooth structure is not. If it somehow becomes compromised, the veneers could give way translating to more out of pocket expense for you.

If your Lumineers were installed incorrectly, you could face a high susceptibility to decay. Cosmetic dentists poorly trained in installing veneers sometimes fail to install them so that they are flush with the gum line. The crevice that this oversight yields can create a nice hiding place for bacteria. If your general dentist catches this soon enough, a number of problems can be abated. You will have to take this mistake up with your cosmetic dentist.

Another important thing to remember is that you could potentially void your warranty if you fail to attend routine cleanings. Your cosmetic dentist should have provided you this information and the necessary paperwork following your procedure. Lumineers come standard with a 5-year limited warranty from their manufacturer, Den-Mat Holdings, LLC. Installation errors are covered by this warranty, but patient negligence is not. So, if your veneers fracture or simply fall off within the first 5 years (which should be unlikely if they were installed properly) expect to cover the full expense if you skipped every last dental visit.

In-between cleaning appointments, you should be caring for your teeth as usual. That means brushing and flossing every day. You should be able to easily floss between your Lumineers. Extra cementation should have been removed in the final stages of the installation. The interproximal areas are also usually protected with a dental dam to prevent seepage. If you find obstructions, report them to you cosmetic dentist and have him/her correct them. There is no special routine you have to follow. Although negligence in this area may prove harder to track, you owe it to yourself to protect your investment. On the subject of protecting your investment, we all know the horror stories associated with drinking too much soda and eating too many sweets. You don’t have to adhere to a special diet with veneers, but sticking to healthy foods will surely extend their life longevity. There are so many factors that come into play in respect to longevity, but every added effort on your part helps.

It can be difficult trying to decipher the key differences between Lumineers and conventional dental veneers. Most people should already be familiar with the primary selling point of the former, which is a “no-prep” and pain-free technique. However, beyond this how exactly do the two differ? While Lumineers are usually the cheaper choice, they can still be a hefty investment so every last detail counts.

Now, the first thing that needs to be cleared up is the no preparation nonsense. The manufacturer makes it clear that most patients quality for this technique, but some do not. The less curvature your teeth have and the more favorable emergence profile (the angle at which your teeth protrude outwards from your gums), the better candidate you are for this variation of this procedure. Some other factors come into play as well, such as tooth rotation and spacing issues. In some instances, enamel removal can be as drastic as that executed in preparation for traditional veneers. So, until you have a consultation with a Lumineers-certified provider, do not assume this is the better choice because of less tooth structure modification.

Even if you happen to be a suitable candidate for the pain-free method, know that the end outcome may not be as aesthetically refined as you had wished. Structure removal provides the dentist more flexibility in creating a natural looking smile. It is all to often that patients complain of bulky and artificial looking results. While Lumineers are much thinner than veneers, do not underestimate the amount of thickness they can add contributing to that undesired appearance. You need to be extra willing to search for an cosmetic dentist experienced in installing these veneers to get perfect results with minimal preparation.

The issue of durability is a concern, especially since Lumineers are marketed as being
“contact-lens” thin. The Cerinate porcelain which they are crafted of has a high transverse strength. The manufacturing process that underlies this type of porcelain is proprietary to Den-Mat, LLC, which claims that the material is easily capable of lasting 20 years according to clinical tests. The Lumineers themselves come covered with a 5-year limited warranty through the company, which protects against product defects as well as installation mistakes.

The cost of Lumineers vs. dental veneers can be tie-breaker. Lumineers generally cost a little over $1,000, while veneers can go into the $2,000 range. Much of this depends on where your intend to get the procedures done. For instance, you may find cheaper prices in the Northwestern United States than you would in say, California. This isn’t a ticket to go bargain hunting, however. Cost should come secondary to the cosmetic dentist’s experience. Going overseas for these procedures may not be the best of idea either. If the cosmetic dentist botches the treatment, there would be little you could do beyond flying back and handling the dispute locally, which could cost time and money. Your time would be better spent researching experienced yet affordable dentists in your area via the internet.