Smile transformations take many different shapes and forms and there are a variety of different cosmetic dental procedures that can help you achieve the smile that you have always dreamed of. Lumineers and porcelain veneers are just two highly popular cosmetic dental treatments that can transform the appearance of your teeth, but what exactly are they and how do they differ from one another? Here is what you need to know about Lumineers and porcelain veneers so that you can make an informed decision about your smile transformation.

What are Lumineers and porcelain veneers?

Lumineers and porcelain veneers are two very similar cosmetic dentistry treatments that are designed to improve the appearance of teeth. They do this by covering the natural enamel of the teeth with a custom-designed, tooth-colored covering. This is attached to the enamel using special adhesive. Once in place, both Lumineers and porcelain veneers can:

• Improve the color of your smile, enabling it to look whiter and brighter
• Cover chips and cracks in the teeth
• Hide small gaps between the teeth
• Make teeth look more uniform in height, color and thickness

Other similarities between the two include:

• They are both designed to look completely natural once in place
• They are both stain-resistant, enabling you to maintain your smile for longer
• They are both comfortable to wear and have no negative effects on the way that you use your teeth and mouth
• You can expect to pay a similar price regardless of whether you choose Lumineers or porcelain veneers

How are Lumineers and porcelain veneers different?

So now we know the similarities that they share, it is important to discover how these two treatments differ so that you can decide which is the most suitable option to improve the appearance of your smile.

The main ways in which Lumineers and porcelain veneers differ is in the process to apply them and the lab fabricating the final porcelain veneers. Although they are applied in the same way, porcelain veneers require a little of the natural dental enamel to be shaped before they can be placed. However, since enamel doesn’t regenerate, once your teeth have been prepared in this way, you will always require veneers to cover them. This is the only real disadvantage associated with porcelain veneers. However, the process is carried out under local anesthetic so you shouldn’t feel any pain while the enamel is being shaped.

Since Lumineers don’t require any enamel removal and can be placed directly over the natural, they end up much thicker than conventional porcelain veneers. However, this doesn’t necessarily make them the best option for all patients. There are also a variety of disadvantages associated with Lumineers.

Disadvantages of Lumineers

Some of the most commonly-cited disadvantages of Lumineers include the following:

Thinner design means that they are often found to be less durable than porcelain veneers and chips and cracks can occur more easily.

• Since they are more fragile than veneers, Lumineers aren’t usually found to be suitable for patients who suffer from bruxism (subconscious or unconscious clenching and grinding of the teeth) since they can become damaged.
• Lumineers are irreparable, so if they become damaged and will require total replacement.
• The thinner design of Lumineers means that they aren’t always successful at hiding severe discoloration or staining, and it may be possible to see this through the covering.
• Lumineers have been known to cause gum inflammation if they are not properly blended into the gum tissue.
• Lumineers have been known to leak fluids that result in the decay of the underlying tooth structure.
• It is generally accepted that Lumineers are not as durable or long-lasting as porcelain veneers.

When performed by an expert, porcelain veneers will maintain a natural healthy appearance that can last decades. If you are considering porcelain veneers to improve the appearance of your smile please don’t hesitate to contact our knowledgeable and experienced cosmetic dentistry team and schedule a consultation at Vero Dental Spa in Vero Beach, FL today.