Ho Hey…. Have you ever wanted a “facelift” for your smile? Do you have chipped or cracked teeth? Are your teeth stained or discolored? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, looking into Lumineers (for your teeth, not your ears, although we love the music group The Lumineers, too) may be a good idea for you. Lumineers offer the chance to gain the natural looking and long-lasting smile you want without pain and hassle.
If you are unsure what Lumineers are and how they work, let us shed some light on this dental innovation!
Lumineers are Veneers
Dental Veneers are tooth-like covers placed over a patient’s real teeth to improve their appearance and to protect them from damage. Traditional veneers require dentists to grind down tooth enamel to make room for the stand-ins. This procedure uses anesthetics, is sometimes painful, and it cannot be reversed.
Lumineers, on the other hand, offer similar results without the stressful and lengthy procedure. Lumineers are specific types of veneers that use much less material than traditional veneers. This means – no drilling and no pain! These popular alternatives are thin, translucent, and made from porcelain, so you choose how white you want them to be. Plus, you can remove them if they do not work out. Lumineers are custom made to look like a natural part of your smile and to last a long time.
Why Dental Lumineers?
Lumineers are the closest a veneer can be to a real tooth, and they look exactly like the real thing. Lumineers might be for you if your teeth are:
- Stained
- Chipped
- Cracked
- Misaligned
- Separated by gaps
These easy-to-get and easy-to-remove tooth-covers can replace the need for braces, pesky whitening kits, and other time-consuming procedures. Some cases may not benefit from this procedure, so make sure to schedule a consultation with us beforehand to discuss your specific needs.
Procedures Are Fast and Easy
The procedure for Dental Lumineers usually takes two dental visits, and each visit is quick and easy. The first visit is to make a mold for your teeth and make plans for personalized fixtures. Using state-of-the-art machines and technology, we will take pictures of your current teeth in order to create a plan for the covers. The covers are then fitted for the right length, color, and shape.
The second visit is for the actual placement procedure. Because there is usually no need for grinding your teeth down to make room for the cover, this placement procedure takes little time (often no more than an hour). Strong adhesives are used to make sure the tooth coverings stay in place.
Once they are on, you are good to go!
Treat Lumineers like Real Teeth
Patients must maintain good oral hygiene practices even though their teeth are protected. Neglecting lumineers is just as bad as not taking care of your real teeth. Costly problems can arise and lead to painful procedures if patients do not floss and brush daily.
Do not worry about tailoring your diet for these veneers. Treating them like real teeth means you can chew gum and eat hard foods just as you normally would. Similar to real teeth, though, we still recommend minimizing coffee, red wine, and other foods that are known to cause staining.
What About the Cost
Many people shy away from working with their dentist to improve the appearance of their smile because they are afraid of the potential cost – Lumineers included. At Sulens Dental Studio, we work with patients to find the right treatment plan that meets their individual needs and price ranges. Additionally, we provide multiple financing options to help ensure that every patient can receive affordable dental care. Please give us a call for more information, and we can schedule a consultation!