Lumineers

Lumineers are a type of porcelain veneers which are made at a specialist laboratory in the United States. The main difference between Lumineers and other types of porcelain veneers is that they are much stronger and can be made much thinner. Because of the thinness of Lumineers it means that they can be fitted without preparation. This means that your dentist won't need to shave any of the existing tooth structure away before fitting the Lumineers. Lumineers are thought to have a longer life than most other veneers with some sets lasting upwards of 20 years. Lumineers are also completely reversible.

How are they fit?

Before undergoing treatment your dentist will begin by giving your teeth a thorough examination to make sure you're a suitable candidate for veneers. If you are suited to the treatment then your dentist will first take an impression of your mouth using a specialised dental putty. He'll then take you through the options with you and together you'll decide on the right treatment for you. Your dentist then sends the impression away to a dental laboratory who will create your custom made Lumineers. In a few weeks the laboratory will send your dentist the completed veneers back and the fitting process can begin. Although Lumineers claim that you won't need to shave any existing tooth structure away, your dentist may still opt to prepare your teeth as several dental problems could occur if the Lumineers don't fit right (such as the veneer not bonding correctly or leaving unnatural spaces at the top of teeth). Firstly, your dentist will need to reshape the front surface of your teeth so that they are prepared for the veneers. Your dentist will also apply a local anaesthetic which will minimise discomfort throughout the procedure by numbing your gums and teeth. After preparation, the Lumineers will then be placed and in some cases will need to be altered a few days later to ensure a more comfortable fit. Despite the fact that the veneers are bonded strongly into position, because Lumineers recommend no preparation before fitting, there are cases where they come loose or fall off. You can help extend the life of your veneers by maintaining a high level of oral hygiene and having regular check-ups with your dentist. One great advantage of Lumineers is their resistance to becoming discoloured or staining even when faced with regular intakes of red wine, coffee, tea and tobacco.

Drawbacks

Veneers are an extremely popular choice for patients looking to undergo cosmetic dentistry and the majority of procedures are performed without complications but there are some issues that may occur. If your porcelain veneer is chipped or damaged they can't be restored and you'll need to have a replacement veneer fitted. Your veneers are resistant to bleaching, so if you colour the surrounding teeth your veneers will remain the same colour. So it's commonly recommended that any bleaching be done before you are fitted with veneers. Some patients report an increased sensitivity to hot or cold after having veneers fitted as some enamel needed to be removed. Also if you don't maintain a decent level of oral hygiene there is a much greater chance of decay or damage to veneered teeth than natural ones.