Age For Lumineers?
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.