Lumineers, What Are they?
September 20, 2018
Do you have all of your teeth but don’t quite have a perfect smile? If so, you might want to try lumineers, which are an alternate solution to veneers that offer a variety of notable benefits. Lumineers are an appealing option for anyone searching for a minimally-invasive treatment that will turn an imperfect smile into a beautiful one.
What are Lumineers?
Lumineers are similar to veneers, which are basically small pieces of porcelain placed on the front of a tooth to make the tooth appear as natural and clean as possible. The primary difference between lumineers and veneers is that the veneers require a substantial amount of work before the pieces of porcelain can be placed on the tooth. Since veneers are somewhat thick in nature, the original tooth structure must first be grind down so that the pieces will fit properly. This procedure can be somewhat painful, which is why you’ll want to consider lumineers as an alternative.
See also Lumineers Vs. Veneers
Lumineers are much thinner than veneers, approximately .2 mm thick. They are also very translucent, so they appear very similar to your enamel. In most cases, no grinding of the tooth is required. However, even in the rare case that it is, you’ll only require a small amount of grinding that can be completed in a short period of time, allowing you to have the lumineers placed soon after impressions of your mouth are made. Following the conclusion of the procedure, there’s little to no discomfort or sensitivity. You’ll also be able to eat or drink anything you want, as the lumineers are sturdy enough to withstand any substance.
Some of the primary benefits of lumineers include
- A relatively painless procedure that’s over quickly
- The provision of white teeth that are long lasting
- Results that are free of sensitivity and other issues
When You Should Consider Lumineers
If you’re considering lumineers but are unsure of whether or not you would benefit from them, some of the main reasons that you might require the usage of lumineers include
- Chipped teeth
- Stained teeth
- Slightly crowded teeth
- Teeth that are too small
- Misshapen teeth
What Does the Lumineers Procedure Involve
Once you’ve gone through your initial consultation and have settled on lumineers to correct a slight discoloration or spacing issue with your teeth, two appointments will be scheduled. When you arrive for the first of these appointments, we at Southland Dental Care in Los Angeles will take a detailed impression of your lower and upper teeth. This mold will be sent away so that an accurate representation of your teeth can be crafted into the lumineers.
Following your first visit, your second one typically takes place a few weeks later. By then, the lumineers will be sent to our office and the actual placement can occur. Before being bonded to the teeth, we’ll ascertain whether or not the lumineers are a good fit. If they are, the lumineers will then be bonded individually until the full set has been inserted. Your bite will then be checked. If the lumineers have been placed properly, you’ll be able to bite without worrying about chipping your lumineers. It’s a very simple procedure that takes hardly any time at all to complete.
