Veneers Versus Lumineers: What’s The Difference?
If you’ve been looking for a more permanent way to correct the appearance of your smile you might have a need for veneers or veneer alternatives. So what exactly are Veneers or Lumineers and how do you know which is the better option for you?
What are veneers?
Veneers are typically a porcelain covering that is bonded to your existing teeth. Often they are selected to improve the aesthetic of an individual’s smile by covering broken, discolored, cracked, or chipped teeth. Veneers are bonded to the existing teeth and require some preparation prior to their placement. However, when applied, they can give an individual the brightest, most dazzling, smile. If you’re looking to have those celebrity-perfect pearly whites, veneers are one way to achieve them. Veneers are typically opaque and can effectively cover gaps or smaller-than-normal teeth with little to no noticeability. Traditionally, porcelain veneers are roughly 0.5 millimeters thick and have a look and feel that is similar to regular teeth. In addition to providing a smile improvement, they are stain resistant and durable. Most of the time they offer at least eight to 10 years of wear before repairs or replacement would be needed. However, their application process can take some time with preparation visits and application visits spanning several weeks. The covers are bonded to the existing teeth by grinding the surface of the teeth to make them thinner.
What are Lumineers?
Lumineers are much thinner, which helps to avoid the need for the existing teeth to be ground down for the application. However, the thinness of the Lumineers makes them less ideal for individuals who have severely discolored or gapped teeth as they are more translucent. Lumineers are not as permanent as veneers and can be removed relatively easily after application with minimal to no damage to the existing teeth. Lumineers are a better option for individuals who are looking to improve their almost perfect smile. However, for those with severely discolored teeth or significant gaps, veneers or another alternative may be better.