The Difference Between Veneers and Lumineers
So you feel shy to smile and communicate in a social environment! Perhaps, your teeth are a bit slanted. Maybe, there are some gaps between your teeth. No matter the reason, any such dental flaw can hamper your looks and lower your confidence. However, you may fix this dental condition, thanks to veneers and Lumineers.
Each of these dental procedures can enhance your smile and fix many dental flaws. Yet, there is a difference between veneers and Lumineers. It’s best to get familiar with the differences to choose an ideal procedure matching your needs.
Veneers
Dental Veneers are usually made by two kinds of materials (Porcelain and Composites). However, porcelain veneers are a preferred option over composites. Porcelain veneers are comparatively durable and present a more natural-looking appearance. They conceal dental imperfections and let you enjoy a natural-looking smile like you’ve always wished for. Made out of a top quality ceramic, each veneer is tailor made to match the shade and shape of the surrounding teeth.
Lumineers
Lumineers are an improvement over porcelain veneers. They’re made out of cerinate ceramics – a very thin material that mostly eliminates the need for injections or drilling without compromising the longevity of your restoration. Lumineers do the same function as porcelain veneers and offer the same benefits to the patient. However, they often require zero tooth preparation, thus conserving the entirety of your natural dentures.
The difference between Veneers and Lumineers
Both veneers and Lumineers are used to address similar dental issues. However, there are certain differences between them. Let’s understand the main differences between the two procedures.
Preparation
Veneers have been around for a long time and are designed to flatter the shape, size, color, and translucency of your teeth elegantly. To prep dentures for veneers, the tooth structure is drilled away so that there’s some room for the placement and bonding of veneers to the teeth. Due to the invasive nature of veneers, many patients feel uncomfortable and look for an alternative (Lumineers).
Also called no-prep veneers, Lumineers warrant minimal preparation of the tooth enamel. Lumineers are a lot thinner than veneers. In most cases, they’re less than half the size of the veneers. Even a modest shape of 0.3 mm of Lumineers is quite thinner compared to a 0.5 mm veneers. It’s this thinness that allows Lumineers to be placed and bonded with the teeth without peeling the enamel.
Light cleaning and sanding may be necessary in some cases to prep the teeth for placing thin Lumineers. No anesthesia or shots are given to the patient. Also, there’s minimal sensitivity or discomfort. Above all, the patient isn’t required to place acrylic temporaries between dental visits.
Application
Lumineers and veneers are applied to the dentures in much the same way. After customizing the shells for your teeth and smile, they’re temporarily put in place to review their appearance and placement. However, veneers are a bit thicker.
The dentist will remove some of the enamel by shaving the tooth to make room to apply the veneer so that it aligns well with the neighboring teeth. Once the tooth enamel is removed, it’s gone forever and for good. You’ll always need a cover for that tooth. In a nutshell, the application of veneers can’t be reversed.
Lumineers are fairly thin; their application is far easy. The dentist doesn’t have to shave your tooth enamel to apply the Lumineer in place. This means if you change your mind and want to remove the Lumineer, you can have it removed without any issue. Since no tooth enamel is removed, Lumineers are reversible.
Appearance
One particular area where veneers outdo Lumineers is teeth appearance. Natural dentures reflect light. Without light reflection, your smile will look fake. The customized, translucent nature of porcelain veneers aligns with your teeth reflection, giving you a bright, natural smile.
Lumineers, on the other hand, lack this translucency feature. While they’re very thin, they’re opaque. They just don’t line up with your teeth and fall flat when you smile. If someone identifies this point, they can figure out that your teeth have some sort of imperfections that you’re hiding.
Longevity
Veneers can last for about a decade with proper care and attention. However, most patients may need to replace them after a few years. Lumineers, on the other hand, can last for about 20 years. Although they’re very thin, Lumineers are highly durable compared to Veneers.
Cost
Veneers are highly cost-effective. On the flip side, Lumineers are comparatively expensive. However, the durability and long-lasting features of Lumineers recoup the high cost and make them a bit affordable.
Bottom line
Both veneers and Lumineers work fine for hiding dental imperfections. However, making the right choice depends on your dental condition, cost, and the difference between veneers and Lumineers. To decide which option will suit you, call a reputed dentist in your local area.