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Lumineers Vs. Porcelain

Veneers, most commonly made out of porcelain, are the general label given to any tooth covering. Lumineers are a type of ultra-thin veneer that creates removable coverings for your teeth. Both traditional veneers and Lumineers are designed to cover your existing teeth, making them more aesthetically pleasing. They cover stains, cracks, chips and imperfections. They also can prevent further tooth damage. When choosing Lumineers versus veneers, consider your overall goal, cost, materials and procedure.

  1. Overall Goal

    • Decide on your motivation for wanting to modify your teeth to be whiter and straighter. Think about how this will change your smile and appearance. Decide whether you want a long-term or a short-term solution. For example, if you want perfect teeth for your wedding versus your career. Both porcelain veneers and Lumineers can contribute to overall tooth health. Traditional porcelain veneers replace fragile teeth and help you avoid minor orthodontics. Lumineers can cover crooked or discolored teeth without destroying the integrity of the tooth. If the desire is appearance-based, consider the less obtrusive option of Lumineers, which are reversible. If you want your smile to be permanently white and straight, use traditional porcelain veneers, which grind down the teeth and are not reversible.

    Cost

    • Traditional veneers are the most expensive veneer option.

      Traditional porcelain lumineers range from $900 to $2,500 per tooth due to the longer procedure. They are the most expensive option. Many dentists claim that traditional veneers can last your entire life without needing to be replaced. Lumineers range from $700 to $1,000 per tooth. Lumineers will last from 20 years to your entire life, but there is the risk of the adhesive becoming weak and the covering breaking off. Composite veneers range about $250 per tooth. The lifetime of the composite veneers is only five to seven years.

    Materials

    • Traditional veneers are most commonly made out of porcelain. This type gives the teeth a lifelike, translucent appearance. Porcelain is durable and resists staining. Veneers can be made out of a composite resin that includes plastic, ceramics or glass. This type of veneer will be cheaper than the porcelain, but will lack the quality and long-lasting nature of a porcelain veneer. Lumineers are thinner than traditional veneers. They also are made out of porcelain that appears natural and translucent. They also use an adhesive to attach the veneer to the front of your teeth. This method will hold for about 20 years.

    Procedure

    • Traditional veneers are inserted like caps or crowns. The tooth is ground down to a small protruding piece of tooth. The veneer is formed around this piece. The procedure is reported to be mildly painful; it takes a few days for you to recover from the process. Lumineers do not require the grinding down of the tooth before inserting. A mold is made that dictates the size and shape of the Lumineers. After making the mold, the placing of the Lumineers should take about an hour. They can be removed at any time because they are on top of your teeth.

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