3 Things to Know About Lumineers®

Lumineers® have become common options for patients who wish to transform the appearance of their teeth. It effectively corrects different forms of cosmetic defects and is considered a conservative alternative to regular dental veneers. There are many things to know about Lumineers, which we will cover in this article.

How Lumineers work

Lumineers are forms of dental veneers, which are coverings for natural teeth. Improvements over the years have seen the size of Lumineers reduce drastically, up to 0.2mm, yet they are strong and effective. Lumineers work for those who need a smile restoration or transformation. They can work as a whitening treatment or correct issues such as chips and gaps in the smile. Getting Lumineers can make the smile more aesthetically appealing. The following are three important facts about Lumineers.

Lumineers require little or no teeth preparation

Traditional dental veneers have been used for years in smile makeovers. These porcelain shells fit over the front surfaces of the selected teeth. However, the procedure required removing a small layer (about a millimeter) of the tooth structure to make a veneer fit naturally over a tooth. To avoid the need for such drastic modifications to the teeth, Lumineers are ideal.

These ultra-thin veneers are no thicker than a fingernail and can sometimes be placed over the teeth with no alterations required. This means the original tooth structure is left intact, so even if there is a need to prepare the teeth, the results will still look natural. Fear of pain is the reason that many people avoid dental procedures. However, Lumineers are virtually pain-free because their diameter is thin, and there is no need to shave down the tooth.

The process is reversible

Although the results achievable with Lumineers are ideal, there may be situations where a patient needs to have their Lumineers removed. Since minimal tooth reduction occurs with Lumineers, patients can have the porcelain shells taken off, and they will still have their natural teeth intact.

The process requires two appointments

After the first consultation to determine a patient’s eligibility, the dentist will take impressions of the teeth and forward the mold, dental images, and other relevant records to the laboratory that will produce the custom-made ultra-thin veneers. Unlike regular dental veneers, there is no need for numbing or acrylic temporary veneers.

During the second appointment, the dentist will place the Lumineers. First, they will check to ensure that the porcelain shells align properly. Afterward, they will etch the teeth slightly to aid adherence when bonding the Lumineers. The dentist will examine the bite to ensure that it is balanced; this will prevent chipping of the Lumineers during daily use.

In conclusion

Regardless of your teeth’s condition, whether they are crooked, discolored, chipped, or gapped, Lumineers may be an excellent solution. You will need to meet with the dentist for an assessment to know if you are eligible for the procedure. To learn more about the process, book a consultation appointment today.

Request an appointment here: https://gkdentaloffice.com or call GK Dental PC at (617) 826-6075 for an appointment in our Everett office.

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