What Are the Differences Between Veneers and Lumineers?
Your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. Flashing your pearly whites makes you look attractive, confident, and easy to talk to. But what if your teeth aren’t perfect? Do you have a chipped tooth? Do you have yellow stains from years of drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes? Maybe your teeth are a little crooked? Embarrassing problems with your teeth can affect your self-esteem and self-confidence. Maybe you have looked into cosmetic dentistry and teeth whitening in Houston, and are interested in either veneers or Lumineers. But what are veneers and Lumineers? Are they right for you? Keep reading to learn the differences between veneers and Lumineers.
How Are Lumineers and Veneers Similar?
Lumineers are actually a brand of veneer. Lumineers and veneers are both used in cosmetic dentistry near Houston, TX, to change the appearance of your teeth. Lumineers and veneers are made out of thin porcelain that is formed into a tooth-shaped shell to cover misshapen or stained teeth. The dentist attaches this porcelain shell to the front of your teeth. Both Lumineers and veneers are custom-made specifically for your teeth. They’re both are easy to maintain and can last for many years with proper care.
How Are Lumineers and Veneers Different?
Lumineers are much thinner than traditional veneers. Veneers are about 0.5 mm thick while Lumineers are roughly 0.2 mm thick. When placing traditional veneers on your teeth, your cosmetic dentist will remove a thin layer of your teeth by filing or grinding away the enamel. This leaves your teeth unprotected until the veneers are placed. While not super painful, this process can cause some sensitivity, and an anesthetic is used to make the process more comfortable.
Teeth whitening Because Lumineers are thinner than veneers, no filing or grinding away of your teeth’s enamel is required. This means that your teeth will always be protected, even if you choose to remove your Lumineers someday. An anesthetic isn’t needed either. All the cosmetic dentist needs to do is attach the Lumineers to your teeth. The process of installing Lumineers is much faster than installing veneers.
Are Lumineers Right for Me?
Since installing Lumineers is virtually pain-free and faster than installing veneers, why would anyone choose traditional veneers?
Lumineers aren’t right for everyone. Since Lumineers are super thin, severe tooth staining and discoloration can be seen through Lumineers. And Lumineers can be harder than veneers to get used to. Because none of the original tooth enamel is removed, Lumineers can feel bulky and may be harder to keep clean than veneers. Lumineers also don’t last as long as veneers because they are much thinner. And if you grind your teeth at night, you should wear a mouthguard to protect your Lumineers against damage.
If you would like to know whether Lumineers or traditional veneers are right for you, make an appointment with the best cosmetic dentist in Houston for a consultation.