Lumineers are an effective way to transform the appearance of your smile. While they are similar to porcelain veneers and can be used to address many of the same issues, they also have some differences.

The main way that Lumineers differ from conventional porcelain veneers is in their thickness. Lumineers are significantly thinner at approximately 0.2mm which affords patients several benefits. Firstly, their thinner appearance means that they more closely resemble the translucency of natural dental enamel, making them extremely discreet. Secondly, and for many people most importantly, their thinness means that in most instances, there is little to no preparatory work needed. This allows them to be fitted more quickly, without the need for local anesthetic, filing, and any associated inconvenience.

Won’t the thin nature of Lumineers compromise their durability?

Some may think that the ultra-thin nature of Lumineers means that the strength, durability, and longevity may be compromised, but this is far from the truth. Studies have shown that proper at-home care and regular dental check-ups can help Lumineers to last for several decades or longer.

What cosmetic issues can Lumineers resolve?

Lumineers are versatile and can be used to resolve a variety of different cosmetic dental issues including:

• Correcting teeth that are slightly crooked

• Covering teeth that are discolored or stained

• Closing small gaps between teeth that look unsightly or that cause food and bacteria to become trapped

• Create greater uniformity across the size and thickness of all of your teeth

• Covering cracks, chips, and other superficial damage

If you aren’t sure if your cosmetic issue can be resolved using Lumineers, your dentist will be happy to advise you.

How are Lumineers applied?

Lumineers can be applied in a process that is simple, straightforward and normally painless. You will first need to attend a consultation with your dentist to determine if Lumineers are the right solution for you. Once this has been established, you will book an appointment where impressions of your teeth will be taken using photographs and molds. This is necessary since all Lumineers are custom designed specifically for each patient and the impressions will be used to create Lumineers that are just right for you. You will also be able to have a say in the shade in which they are glazed, enabling you to boost the color of your smile. These impressions will be sent away for your Lumineers to be designed and manufactured.

About 10-14 days later, you will make a final appointment where your Lumineers will be placed. This involves cementing them permanently over the top of your existing teeth. Assuming that no preparation work is needed, the fit of each Lumineer against each tooth will be checked before the adhesive is applied and the solution fixed in place. In the event that a little tooth enamel does need to be removed, a local anesthetic will be used to ensure that you do not experience any discomfort.

Once your Lumineers are in place, they will be polished to a high shine and you will be able to go home and start sharing your new smile with the world immediately. There is no downtime and you will be given instructions on the best way to care for your teeth at home to ensure that your Lumineers stay in great condition for as long as possible.