Having a beautiful smile is critical for your overall appearance and can do much for your self-confidence. Discolored, chipped, or crooked teeth affect your ability to attain the outlook you desire and affect your self-image. Even if you were not lucky enough to have a perfectly natural smile, you could correct it with cosmetic dental procedures. Lumineers are pain-free and safe procedures that can not only make your teeth whiter but also correct numerous cosmetic dental issues. In addition to brightening your smile, the Lumineers can help correct chipped teeth, straighten crooked teeth and fill the gaps between your teeth.
Lumineers provide significant benefits for your dental health. However, the procedure must be done correctly and carefully to attain the desired outcome. At The Whittier Dentist, we help you achieve the smile of your dreams by defining your cosmetic dentistry goals and working towards achieving that goal by fitting your teeth with custom-made Lumineers. We serve clients requiring cosmetic dental procedures in Whittier, CA.
What are Lumineers?
Dental veneers are slim shells of tooth-colored material that fit on the front of your teeth to improve your appearance. Lumineers are a brand of porcelain veneers that require less preparation. Like veneers, Lumineers are used to treat broken, crooked, chipped, or discolored teeth. During the placement of Lumineers, the dentist will not need to prepare your teeth by removing part of your enamel.
Lumineers are made from extremely thin porcelain material. This allows them to fit perfectly on your teeth without causing the feeling of bulkiness. Most Lumineers are only 0.3mm thick. When you visit your cosmetic dentist with a need to correct your smile using Lumineers, your dentist will take an impression and send it to the lab. Lumineers are custom-made to meet your specific needs. Additionally, you can inform the dentist about the color you want for your Lumineers.
Not all dentists can correctly place Lumineers. If the procedure is wrong, the procedure may fail to produce the results you need. Therefore, it is crucial to seek the services of a dentist who has extensive experience in cosmetic dentistry. The dentist will assess the health of your teeth and gums to determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure.
Who Needs Lumineers?
Lumineers are not an option for everyone. By consulting with your cosmetic dentist, you can learn whether you can use the procedure to meet your dental needs and acquire the desired look. You can use Lumineers to meet the following dental needs:
- Whitening your smile. Tooth discoloration is a common dental problem associated with aging. Some of the factors that could contribute to a change of tooth color are smoking and consumption of drinks with a dark hue. Although tooth whitening is cheaper and faster to whiten your teeth, the procedure is temporary, and some stains could be left behind. Lumineers provide a long-lasting solution for darkened teeth. Additionally, you will not have a diet restriction since dark drinks like coffee may not affect the Lumineers.
- Repair of chipped teeth. A chipped tooth is not only a dental emergency but can also distort your smile. With a chipped tooth, you may be very conscious of your smile. Using Lumineers, your dentist can fix this problem and restore the wholesomeness of your teeth.
- Straighten crooked teeth. Most adults with slightly crooked teeth may not find braces suitable to correct the misalignment. The use of braces may be a long, painful and uncomfortable procedure. Fitting your teeth with dental Lumineers will help straighten your teeth within two dental visits.
- Fills gaps between teeth. Having gaps between your teeth can distort your smile. Lumineers is a quick and non-invasive method of filling spaces between your teeth to make your smile even.
- Fix small teeth. Mostly, natural teeth do not grow in the ideal shape or size. Some teeth do not match the shape and size of others in the jaw and could give off an awkward look. The placement of Lumineers ensures that all your teeth are of the same size, leaving you a uniform smile.
- Refresh Dental devices or restorations. Old dental restorations can age your appearance. Lumineers can perfectly fit on dental bridges or crowns and improve their outlook. The placement of Lumineers allows you to gain a youthful appearance without having to redo past dental procedures.
Process of fitting Lumineers
Lumineers are an ideal solution if you want to maintain a beautiful white smile. However, fitting on the Lumineers is not a one-time procedure. You must have at least two dental appointments. Before the Lumineers are placed, the underlying bone, teeth, and gums must be in perfect health. If you suffer from gum disease or tooth decay, the condition must be treated before placement.
1. First Appointment
During your first dental visit after consultation, your dentist will make an impression of your teeth. Using the impression, the dentist will make your Lumineers. Along with the impressions, your dentist will send photos of your jaw and existing teeth to a Lumineers laboratory. Unlike traditional veneers, the dentist will not need to drill on your teeth to place Lumineers.
2. Second Appointments
At your second dental appointment, the Lumineers are bonded with your teeth. Sometimes, the bonding material could ooze from beneath the Lumineers. In such a case, the excess material is carefully removed. After placing the Lumineers firmly on your teeth, the dentist will polish them until they attain the desired smoothness. Smoothing of the Lumineers helps prevent bacteria and other staining agents from adhering to the surface of the Lumineers.
The final step in the placement of veneers is the separation. During the formation and attachment of the Lumineers, they are always attached. The dentist will then separate them at the point where your teeth would join naturally. At the end of the procedure, you will be left with a bright and white smile.
Benefits of Lumineers
There are several ways to improve your appearance and brighten your smile. However, if you are looking for an effective and less strenuous way to do this, your dentist could recommend Lumineers. Lumineers are the improved version of traditional veneers and present a wide range of benefits, including:
Non-Invasive
Unless you have other dental complications like gum disease, positioning of Lumineers is a two-step procedure. Depending on the nature of your teeth, it may not be necessary to reduce your tooth enamel. For this reason, little discomfort and sensitivity are associated with the Lumineers. Between the first and second visit, your dentist will not need to provide you with temporary acyclic while your Lumineers are being made.
Efficient and Convenient Construction
Lumineers are created digitally, making them look and feel more natural when compared to traditional veneers. Lumineers are made of porcelain about 0.2milimetrs thick and do not add any bulk to your teeth. Although porcelain is very thin, the material is strong enough to resist cracking and leakage.
Better Alternative to Braces
Lumineers may be an ideal solution if you want to align your front teeth and do not want to undergo the hassle of wearing braces. In addition to brightening your smile, Lumineers can close the gaps between the teeth and make them look more uniform in size.
Fully Reversible
One of the most significant benefits of beautifying your smile with Lumineers instead of traditional veneers is that they are completely reversible. With traditional porcelain veneers, the dentist will trim part of your tooth. As a result, the procedure is permanent. However, with the Lumineers, their extremely thin material makes it unnecessary to remove part of your tooth. If you feel that you do not need them anymore at any point in your life, you can have them removed.
Minimal Risk with the Procedure
When it comes to safety, the placement of Lumineers is an extremely safe procedure. The only precaution you need to take after the procedure is to avoid biting on hard foods like ice cubes. Although there is always a risk of unsatisfactory results for all cosmetic dental procedures, you can reduce this risk by seeking the services of an experienced cosmetic dentist.
No Recovery Time
Positioning of Lumineers does not require extensive dental surgeries, alterations to your teeth, or drilling. You will not need to ensure a painful recovery like other cosmetic dental procedures.
Preservation of Tooth Structure
Placement of Lumineers requires zero or slight reduction on the tooth enamel. The thin porcelain material used for this procedure makes it unnecessary for tooth drilling and scrapping. Therefore, the structure of your teeth remains the same, and if the veneers are removed, you will not experience tooth sensitivity or discomfort.
Setbacks of Lumineers
Dental Lumineers are an advanced version of veneers in that the process of fitting is fast and less invasive. Additionally, Lumineers provide a more desirable appearance. However. Like other cosmetic dental procedures, there are some complications associated with the fitting of Lumineers, including:
- Slight sensitivity. Not all individuals will require an adjustment in the tooth size before fitting the Lumineers. However, if a portion of your tooth is scraped off, you could encounter slight tooth sensitivity after the procedure. Tooth sensitivity after fitting the Lumineers occurs when you consume hot or cold beverages.
- Gum Inflammation. One of the common side effects associated with Lumineers is inflammation of the gums. Since fitting the Lumineers does not require tooth preparation, you could feel the change in thickness of your teeth. Thick tooth edges could irritate the gums and result in inflammation. Gum inflammation could be the first step of gum disease when left untreated. Therefore, if you experience this after fitting your Lumineers, you should visit your dentist to have the issue checked.
- Failure to achieve the desired tooth color. Due to the thin nature of the Lumineers, your dentist could use an opaque material to cover up the discoloration. In this case, the procedure will help remove the extremely discolored shade but cannot achieve the desired natural look of the teeth.
- Overhanging. Having Lumineers that hang or those with rough edges is another side effect of the procedure. Often rough edges are a result of tooth decay and chipping. A skilled dentist ensures that they place the Lumineers with precision.
- Lumineers are very thin. While the thin nature of the Lumineers is beneficial in helping eliminate the feeling of bulkiness, it may be impossible to hide severely discolored teeth with this procedure.
If you want to avoid the complications associated with the Lumineers, it would be wise to consult a cosmetic dentist who is experienced in fitting the Lumineers. Also, you need to practice good oral hygiene and make regular dental visits to ensure that the Lumineers serve you as long as possible.
Difference between Lumineers and Traditional Veneers
Traditional veneers and Lumineers are cosmetic dental procedures used to correct tooth discoloration, crooked teeth, chipped teeth, and fill gaps between your teeth. While Lumineers and veneers serve the same purpose, they are very different. First, although veneers are thin, Lumineers are about half as thick as the veneers. For this reason, the dentist must remove part of your tooth enamel to fit the veneers.
When the tooth material is removed, it cannot be replaced. Therefore, you always have to cover your teeth with veneers. Failure to do this will result in extreme tooth sensitivity. Since some material is removed from your tooth enamel to fit the veneers, the dentist will require a tooth-colored composite covering between the appointments. This helps protect your teeth from sensitivity.
On the other hand, no material needs to be removed in the process of fitting porcelain veneers. This means that the Lumineers are not permanent, and you can remove them at any time and remain with your natural teeth. Although both veneers and Lumineers are made using porcelain, the Lumineers are thinner, making them appear more natural. You will not need to wear a protective cover for your teeth between dental appointments.
The thin material of the Lumineers does not mean that they are less durable. Lumineers can serve you up to twenty years which is twice the durability of the traditional porcelain veneers. However, Lumineers are more expensive compared to veneers. Both veneers and Lumineers can be very effective in correcting many cosmetic dental issues. You can learn more about the products from your dentist, who will help you choose the right option.
Care for Lumineers
Deciding to go for Lumineers is an excellent step to ensuring a beautiful smile. However, placement of Lumineers is not a permanent procedure, and they may be prone to damage. The secret to enjoying the benefits of fitting the Lumineers for a long time is to make sure that you care for them. You will make fewer trips to the dentist to have them replaced with proper care. The following are some care practices you can adopt to maintain the color and strength of your porcelain veneers:
- Brush and floss regularly. Just like your natural teeth, the key to keeping your Lumineers feeling and looking good is practicing proper oral hygiene. This means that you must brush and floss regularly to remove any leftover food particles and bacteria that could destroy the teeth or surface of the Lumineers.
- Avoid foods and drinks that could stain your Lumineers. Foods and drinks with a dark hue can stain your teeth. Whether Lumineers naturally cover your teeth, dark beverages can ruin your white smile by causing the surface of your teeth to become dull. Although Lumineers are quite resistant to discoloration, prolonged consumption of coffee, dark juices, and smoking can cause a color change.
- Watch your bite. In addition to keeping your Lumineers white and bright, you want to make sure they don’t chip or crack. While the material used for Lumineers is very durable, biting on hard foods can cause damage. You can protect your Lumineers from damage by chewing your food correctly and avoiding biting on hard objects.
- Make regular dental visits. One of the ways through which you can keep your teeth healthy and maintain the integrity of your cosmetic procedures is by making regular dental visits. By visiting your dentist at least twice a year, you can ensure that discoloration and damage of the Lumineers are detected and corrected early.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lumineers
Lumineers are thin porcelain shells that are bonded to your teeth to cover up stains, chips and cover gaps on your teeth. The Lumineers are an advanced version of veneers and are more durable. Some of the frequently asked questions about Lumineers include:
1. What is the cost of Lumineers?
In California, the cost of fitting Lumineers ranges from $800 to$2,000 per tooth. The amount you pay for the entire procedure could vary depending on the size of your teeth and the number of teeth you want to fit with the Lumineers. Additionally, other complementary treatments could add to the total cost. It is rare for a patient who wants Lumineers not to have other treatments done. Since your teeth and gums must be healthy before placement of the Lumineers, any complications must be treated before the process of the Lumineers placement begins.
2. Can Lumineers ruin my natural teeth?
Lumineers will not have any negative effect on your natural teeth. Unlike the traditional veneers, placement of the Lumineers does not require modification of your teeth. Placement and removal of Lumineers is a safe and effective way to preserve your perfect smile. However, there is a risk of damage if the procedure is not done correctly. Therefore, it is crucial to consult an experienced cosmetic dentist if considering Lumineers.
3. Is the process of fitting Lumineers painful?
No. Unlike the veneer procedure, the dentist will not grind on your teeth to remove any material. Therefore, this is a painless procedure of reshaping and whitening your teeth. Additionally, there is no post-procedural discomfort since the material used for Lumineers is very thin.
4. Can Lumineers be used in the place of braces?
Lumineers can reduce the gaps between teeth, which is also a significant role of braces. However, whether Lumineers can replace braces is a decision you can only make after consulting with your dentist. The dentist will evaluate the condition of your teeth and determine whether you require an orthodontic or cosmetic procedure for your teeth. If your teeth are straight, Lumineers would better fit you. More so, braces will only align your teeth and not correct discoloration or chipping.
5. How long does the procedure of fitting Lumineers take?
The procedure of placing Lumineers on your teeth is done in two appointments. The first appointment involves checking the health of your teeth and taking an impression. The second and last step is bonding and polishing the Lumineers to attain a shiny look and smooth feel of the teeth. Each dental visit will take up to two hours which is not long compared to the benefit you accrue from the procedure.
6. Can I whiten my Lumineers?
No. when your Lumineers are placed, their color is permanent, and you cannot undergo a whitening procedure. During your initial dental appointment, it would be best to inform your dentist about the color you want for your Lumineers. Therefore, you will not need to change their color. The only way to have your Lumineers whitened is by redoing the procedure.
Find a Cosmetic Dentist Near Me
Good dental health is significant to your overall health and wellbeing. Additionally, maintaining your teeth will boost your smile, translating to confidence. With dental Lumineers, you can achieve your goal of a beautiful smile. You can restore stained, crooked, chipped, or damaged teeth in two short appointments. While Lumineers can help you attain your desired smile and correct other dental complications, not everyone is a candidate for Lumineers.
The most important step in ensuring that you qualify for the procedure is to undergo a thorough examination to ensure that your teeth and gums are healthy. Lumineers provide numerous benefits for your teeth. However, when fitted incorrectly, the procedure can cause significant discomfort and damage your teeth. Therefore, it is important to consult with a skilled cosmetic dentist.
At The Whittier Dentist, we utilize some of the most advanced technology to make the treatment safe, effective, and as comfortable as possible. We serve clients requiring dental Lumineers to correct their smiles in Whittier, CA. Call us today at 562-632-1223 to book an appointment.
