Lumineers are one of the brands of ultra-thin porcelain veneers that are applied to teeth. They are custom-made for dental clinics using patented Cerinate ceramics by specialists at the DenMat laboratory in California and at the company’s official manufacturing facilities. Clinics that install Lumineers for their patients require appropriate certification from the manufacturer.
Thanks to the use of digital technologies during the manufacturing of Lumineers, they are ultra-thin and transparent. Their thickness can be compared to that of contact lenses. In some cases, this allows dentists, after the preparatory stage, to avoid grinding down the natural tooth enamel directly before installing the Lumineers. However, it should be noted that this is only possible in cases where the patient’s teeth are perfectly straight and do not have other pathologies that would prevent achieving the necessary level of functionality, biological compatibility, and aesthetics.
Lumineers have been used in dentistry since the 1990s. They gained popularity thanks to American show business stars and TV hosts who dazzled with their flawless “Hollywood smile” from the TV screens.
Today, Lumineers are prescribed to patients especially for correction of:
- Discolored or stained teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Noticeable gaps between teeth
- Misaligned or crooked teeth
- Small or misshapen teeth
- Visible signs of old dental interventions
- Poor aesthetic appearance of the smile
Advantages and disadvantages of Lumineers
Among the undeniable advantages of this type of veneers is their minimal thickness. It is only about 0.3 to 0.2 mm, which minimizes their invasiveness. In some cases, this allows the dentist not to interfere with the patient’s dentin. This advantageously distinguishes Lumineers from traditional or Emax veneers, which require more thorough preparation of the teeth, including grinding of the enamel. In summary: installing Lumineers is relatively simple, painless, and does not require local anesthesia.
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Among the advantages, it is also worth mentioning the many years of experience of the DenMat laboratory and the high quality of their products. So, if you do not have other problems with your teeth and gums, and your teeth are already perfectly straight, then by installing Lumineers, you will quickly and painlessly get a bright smile like your favorite American Hollywood stars. Otherwise, you will first need to treat existing problems with your teeth and gums, and the dentist may need to reduce the surface of the teeth before installing the veneers.
Despite many advantages, Lumineers also have their disadvantages, namely:
- Lumineers are quite standardized and not suitable for patients who require a high degree of customization of veneers;
- A limited number of manufacturing facilities, especially in Europe, sometimes leads to delays in the production of Lumineers;
- The minimal thickness of Lumineers requires delicate handling, including the exclusion of hard foods, nuts, crackers, etc., from the diet;
- Lumineers are only installed on perfectly straight teeth, without crowding or noticeable gaps between the front teeth;
- Lumineers can sometimes lead to gum inflammation;
- Higher cost compared to traditional and Emax veneers.
An aesthetic solution for decades
Clinical studies have shown that more than 90% of Lumineers installed on patients retain their shine and integrity for twelve years and more. But this is provided that their user ensures good hygienic care of the oral cavity.
The most common problems with Lumineers are cracks or breaks, and sometimes a change in the color of the veneers. At the same time, delamination occurs very rarely.
People who suffer from bruxism are advised to wear a special cap to prevent damage to the veneers due to strong, uncontrolled grinding of teeth during sleep.
Caring for Lumineers is quite simple, performing the usual daily hygiene procedures. They fit tightly to the teeth, so food particles or dental plaque cannot get underneath them. At the same time, apart from home care for the teeth, do not forget to regularly undergo a professional examination by a dentist at least a few times a year.
If you are interested in this type of aesthetic treatment – consult with the professionals at Yarema Dental clinic in Kyiv for an individual consultation. We are always happy to answer any questions and create a personalized treatment plan for you.