What Are Veneers?

Veneers are very thin pieces of porcelain that are designed to fit over the front surfaces of your teeth. They look and feel just like natural teeth, and can be used to cover up a wide variety of imperfections. Veneers are an excellent choice for deep stains that may not be suitable for teeth whitening, for covering up misshapen teeth, filling up gaps between teeth, and so much more.

The Benefits of Veneers

VERSATILE, DURABLE TREATMENT

First, veneers look and feel just like real teeth. You can treat them just like normal teeth when you brush and floss, and your smile will look completely natural. Veneers are also very durable and stain-resistant, and will never become discolored. They have a 10-20 year lifespan, too, making them one of the best long-term cosmetic dentistry treatments.

More importantly, though, veneers make you feel great about how you look. With a set of veneers, you can cover up almost any cosmetic flaw. You’ll feel proud of your smile, and you won’t need to hide your teeth when you smile, laugh, speak, or eat.

Are They Right for Me?

GOOD CANDIDATES FOR VENEERS

Veneers may be a good choice if you have multiple cosmetic problems like chipped teeth, stained teeth, uneven teeth, or misshapen teeth. However, you must have a healthy mouth to get veneers. That means you’ll need to treat issues like cavities or gum disease before you get cosmetic care. Get in touch with the team at Camellia Dentistry to learn more, and find out if you’re a good candidate for veneers.

What Are Lumineers?

Lumineers are like a version of veneers that are thinner and reversible. The ultra-thin porcelain material eliminates the need to remove a portion of your natural tooth enamel in preparation for bonding the Lumineers.

Lumineers are great for covering up minor cosmetic issues like discoloration, chips and cracks, gaps, slightly crooked teeth, abnormally small teeth, or teeth that are oddly shaped.

Traditional veneers are irreversible because they require removing .5 mm of natural tooth enamel that can never grow back. This means the patient will need to wear veneers for the rest of their life.

Since Lumineers don’t require altering your natural teeth, you can decide to remove them at any point, which offers you more flexibility and freedom. This is also better for your teeth in the long run, as preserving your natural tooth structure is important for good oral health.

Benefits of Lumineers

Lumineers are non-invasive because they don’t require any drilling or anesthetic. The shells are cemented onto your teeth and cured with UV light so we can achieve the same aesthetic as traditional veneers without filing down your teeth.

This also means there’s no need for temporary Lumineers. Since we don’t need to file down your teeth, we don’t need to protect your shaven down enamel with a temporary Lumineer until your official ones have been fabricated at the dental lab. As a result, Lumineers are more cost-effective, less of a hassle, and don’t cause tooth sensitivity.

Who Is a Candidate for Lumineers?

While Lumineers are generally a great option for anyone who wants to improve their smile, has insecurities in their teeth, and is in good oral health, there are some limitations. You will need to be committed to practicing good oral hygiene.

If you don’t care for your teeth, Lumineers will not protect you from tooth decay or gum disease. You are also not a good candidate if you grind your teeth. This puts you at great risk of damaging or breaking your Lumineers, which are even thinner and more fragile than regular veneers.

Lumineers are best for correcting minor cosmetic problems, but they are not suitable for severe orthodontic problems like misaligned bites or severely damaged teeth. If you have severe tooth discoloration, traditional veneers are likely a better option for you because they’re thicker and more opaque.

Contact us at Camellia Dentistry today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Ethan Park to find out if Lumineers are right for you.