Envious of the flawless, white teeth you see throughout New York City? You too can have a memorable smile by choosing a natural-looking cosmetic dentistry treatment like porcelain veneers or Lumineers by Cerinate. Which option is best for you? Learn the similarities and differences between the two smile makeover procedures.
Preparation for Veneers vs. Lumineers
Porcelain veneers have been around for a long time, and the modern incarnation of porcelain veneers is magnificent. Your new smile can be designed so that your teeth are flattering in size, shape, length, color, and translucency. To prep teeth for veneers, tooth structure must be drilled away to make room for the veneers to be placed on and bonded to the teeth. Some patients would rather avoid this invasive element of the procedure and opt for Lumineers instead.
Lumineers are often called no-prep veneers because they require very minimal preparation of the tooth enamel, if any. A cleaning and light sanding, if necessary, is done to prep the teeth for the contact-lens-thin Lumineers. No shots or anesthesia are necessary, there is minimal discomfort or sensitivity, and there is no need to place acrylic temporaries between dental visits.
Application of Veneers vs. Lumineers
Veneers and Lumineers are applied to the teeth in much the same way. Once the porcelain shells have been customized for your smile, they are temporarily put in place so that you and your Midtown Manhattan cosmetic dentist can review their placement and appearance. If you are content with how the veneers look, they will be permanently bonded in place for a long-lasting and incredibly durable smile makeover solution.
Composition of Veneers vs. Lumineers
Veneers are incredibly thin and durable. Lumineers are composed of Cerinate porcelain from Den Mat Lab. Their proprietary technology, research data, and over 30 years of experience make this product hard to beat. The porcelain material used for Lumineers is digitally designed to be ultra-thin, even thinner than that used to create veneers.
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Appearance of Veneers vs. Lumineers
What many patients do not realize about veneers is that it’s not just the color of these thing pieces of porcelain that’s important, a good level translucency is also necessary. Natural teeth reflect light – without this detail, your smile makeover will fall flat and look fake. The meticulous and customized nature of porcelain veneers eliminates any chance of a smile looking anything but natural.
While Lumineers are in demand for their thinness, the limited ability to change the color of the no-prep veneers may turn off some patients. Lumineers may not look as natural as porcelain veneers and could fall flat. They will be white, but they will more opaque white and lacking in the all-important translucency. The very thing that makes Lumineers attractive – their thin composition – means there is a lack of room and thickness to manifest a lifelike porcelain restoration.
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Eligibility for Veneers vs. Lumineers
Not every patient is a good candidate for Lumineers. Although Lumineers are incredibly thin, when added to the front surface of the tooth they can appear chunky, bulky, and thick. This may be exactly the opposite of what a patient is seeking.
Other important factors that influence your candidacy for veneers or Lumineers include your bite or occlusion, as well as the existing color of your teeth. After a complete examination, your Manhattan cosmetic dentist can determine if Lumineers will be the most aesthetically pleasing option for your smile makeover.
Your Midtown Manhattan dentist, Dr. Michael J. Wei, is well-known for his experience in cosmetic dentistry and meticulousness in placing porcelain veneers and Lumineers. Make your appointment with him to find out whether you are a candidate for veneers or Lumineers, or to see if another type of smile makeover is right for you. Knowing the pros, cons, risks, benefits, and costs of both procedures allows you to make the most informed decision for your smile and oral health.
