LUMINEERS: One of the Many Options Available Through Cosmetic Dentists

The world of dentistry has grown by leaps and bounds over the past couple of decades, providing cosmetic dentists with a wealth of options for correcting his clients' crooked, chipped, broken, and dull-colored teeth. One of the most recently developed solutions is LUMINEERS, an ultra-thin porcelain veneer which is placed over misaligned or discolored teeth providing an instantly straight and brilliantly white smile. LUMINEERS vs. Veneers Before the development of LUMINEERS, cosmetic dentists typically correct problems like broken or chipped teeth with a porcelain veneer. A veneer is installed over one or more teeth. They take considerably longer to install, and require the use of anesthetic plus a good amount of recovery time. Traditional veneers are also permanent. There's no way to go back to your original smile. During your first visit, a mold of your teeth will be taken and sent to the lab so the veneers can be custom made. At your second visit, your mouth will be numbed and your teeth shaved away to accommodate the new veneers. This shaving often causes considerable discomfort of days as your mouth adjusts to its new teeth. Finally, the veneers are installed. Installing LUMINEERS also takes two visits, but considerably less time and pain. At your first visit, a mold of your teeth will be taken and sent to the lab where your full set of LUMINEERS will be crafted. You and your dentist will also choose a shade for your new teeth. At you second visit, your current teeth will be moderately etched to help with placement, but the sensitive part of your teeth are not touched, thus, no anesthetic is necessary and you experienced little pain. Your personalized LUMINEERS are then attached to your current teeth, instantly straightening and brightening your smile! If at any time you become dissatisfied with your new set of teeth, or if they somehow get broken, the entire set can be removed and either left out or replaced. LUMINEERS have been proven to last over 20 years when cared for properly. Typical dental hygiene is the only necessary measure to take with your new set of teeth. So, if you've been meticulous about regular brushing with your natural teeth, you'll want to continue the good habits with this new set. Rinsing with a good mouthwash on a regular basis is great to keep your gums healthy and strong. You'll still need to visit your regular dentist every six months for a cleaning. He'll check-up on both your LUMINEERS and the regular teeth underneath. Even your new set of porcelain teeth is susceptible to discoloration if it's not thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. Limit the amount of tooth-staining drinks you consume. The LUMINEERS will stain if they come in contact with a lot of dark drinks, and the adhesive that was used to bond them to your teeth will also stain. Finally, to insure your new set of teeth don't acquire chips or cracks, avoid chewing on hard objects like pens, fingernails, bobby pins, or anything else that may cause the porcelain to chip. Cosmetic dentists can correct your smile, but it's your responsibility to keep it beautiful. By following these few steps, you'll be satisfied with your bright new set of teeth for years to come!