Porcelain dental veneers and Lumineers can seem almost interchangeable, but these treatments do possess important differences. If you’re looking for a smile makeover and you are considering dental veneers or Lumineers, it’s important to evaluate the pros and cons of both options.
Benefits of Both Choices
Both porcelain veneers and Lumineers are solutions for many patients with the following:
- Discolored teeth
- Worn-down teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Misaligned, uneven, or irregularly shaped teeth
In the case of discoloration, the ideal choice for your needs depends on how significant of a change is needed. While Lumineers enhance the brilliance of a smile that is moderately discolored, internal dental staining usually needs traditionally prepared porcelain veneers.
Porcelain Veneers
If you’re looking for a permanent solution, porcelain veneers may be the right choice. These thin ceramic shells are custom-made in a dental lab and designed to cover problem areas and blend in with your natural dentin. Veneers can restore the original color, shape, size, or length of the tooth, and they are stain-resistant, durable, and look very natural.
Porcelain veneers offer unique benefits:
- Look natural
- Gum tissue adapts well to porcelain
- Resistant to stains and chipping
- Veneers will “brighten’ teeth
- More durable than composite bonding
Lumineers
Lumineers are a brand name for minimal prep veneers. If you’re looking for a solution that offers long-term benefits while still being reversible, this option may prove more suitable to your needs. Standard porcelain veneers require preparation of the teeth, but Lumineers are ultra-thin, resilient ceramic that requires very little to no alteration. Lumineers are made out of porcelain, which is stain-resistant and natural-looking. As the existing dental structure is left mostly intact, this procedure typically takes less time than receiving conventional veneers.
Lumineers are considered a more conservative treatment and ideal for small teeth and pushed-back teeth, as the added height of the restoration will not make your smile look unnatural. If all teeth in your visible smile line are small or oddly shaped, Lumineers are best applied in comprehensive treatment to address front-facing teeth.
Is Color Your Main Concern?
Teeth whitening cannot always lift discoloration on enamel. It the staining is due to an infection or the enamel is grey with age, the most effective approach is to cover the front of teeth with a veneer. As Lumineers are thin, they may too transparent to conceal dark teeth. Porcelain veneers, however, can accomplish this, making your smile look bright white.
Let a Professional Help You Decide
There are advantages with both veneers and Lumineers, and because everyone is different, one is not necessarily the better choice. If you are not completely satisfied with the aesthetics of your smile, it is a good idea to do as much research as you can and find a professional who can meet your needs. Both porcelain veneers and Lumineers can transform your teeth and help you love your smile.