Lumineers Compared to Traditional Veneers

Lumineers are fairly recent additions to dental cosmetics. Their purpose is highly similar to that of veneers in that they are used the same way, but still maintain some differences. Many people opt for these dental improvements because of several benefits that override those of the traditional veneers. It is important that the dentist correctly measure your mouth before application in order to achieve the right fit.

Benefits

There are several benefits that these cosmetic dentistry applications have over other techniques to improve one's smile. One of the more glaring benefits is the price difference between the lumineers and the traditional applications. These newer versions are relatively cheaper than the older ones. This is one of the greatest pulls that draw patients to them. Another positive aspect is the fact that for these, the teeth need not be severely shaved or contoured.

When veneers are applied to the teeth, the dentist needs to make adjustments to the natural teeth to accommodate the thicker and more bulky applications. This means drilling the teeth until they are thin enough to accommodate the bulky additions. In some cases, the teeth are stripped down to the very sensitive parts, and can be a highly painful or even excruciating experience for the patient. The preparation of the tooth can also be painful in the sense that several numbing injections may be necessary to allow the patient to endure the contouring and shaving procedure.

Lumineers, on the other hand, are very thin, and flexible enough that they do not need extensive contouring or shaving of the natural teeth. Since they are as thin as the contact lenses that are used for our eyes, they can accommodate tighter spaces. Sometimes, shaving is not even necessary. They are also easier to apply than veneers. Their application will take up to just three sessions with the dentist, compared to several sessions for the traditional applications. They are simply bonded to the natural tooth after the perfect fit has been achieved.

Although they can last just as long as the traditional veneers with the right care, the application can also be reversed. This means that they can be taken off at the whim of the patient, and he or she can go without them. This is not possible for other patients who have opted to have their tooth contoured or shaved to accommodate veneers. Lumineers can also be placed over a few existing dental work such as bridges and crowns if the dentist thinks that it is possible. They also work well for teeth with slight discoloration. However, if the teeth have some form of severe discoloration, the dentist may need to shave off some of the more noticeable areas.

These are some of the benefits that lumineers have over veneers. Before applying them, however, it is imperative that the dentist assesses the oral cavity well, because once they are ordered, they cannot be used for another person.