Lumineers

What are Lumineers?

Lumineers are a type of veneer – which is a manufactured shell placed over the natural tooth to make them appear whiter, straighter, and in near perfect condition. Veneers are very popular in the UK because they can fix an array of dental problems in a fraction of the time it takes traditional orthodontics. More and more people today are aiming for that flawless ‘Hollywood’ smile, and a set of veneers are an easy – if slightly costly – way to do achieve that.

Although Lumineers fall into the category of veneers, they are made from a unique material and used in a different way to normal fixtures, this makes them much more exclusive and sought after on the dental market.

How are they different to normal porcelain veneers?

Lumineers are made out of a much stronger ceramic material called Cerinate, a patented, restricted sale porcelain that is only available at select dentist surgeries across the world. The Pearl Dental Clinic is registered with the manufacturers of Lumineers and patients can benefit from a new, natural looking smile by first making an appointment for a consultation. Cerinate is different to normal porcelain in strength and as a result can be cut much thinner than typical veneers, without compromising their structure. Thinner veneers mean much less drilling and reshaping has to go one before they can be applied, not only does this cut down on time in the dentists chair, but it also gives a much more natural finish and makes sure the teeth don’t look too bulky. Thicker veneers need more space to fit around the tooth and this calls for re-shaping, this is not the case with Lumineers – which can be as thin as .2mm, whilst retaining durability. Of course, if there is severe misalignment to be dealt with, there may be some restructuring that needs to be done, the final decision lies with the surgeon regarding how much of the natural teeth are left and how much reduction takes place.

Sometimes with normal veneers, anaesthetic is required because of the surgical elements of the task, but Lumineers are marketed as a reversible product; if you don’t like the result or you would like them removing after a period of time, your natural teeth remain largely intact underneath. With normal porcelain veneers, the teeth are usually filed down to ‘pegs’ to be concealed under the ceramic shells, the patient has no choice but to keep their veneers and pay for the upkeep if they want their smile to stay perfect – Lumineers offer a chance to return to a natural smile if they decide they are happy with their own teeth.

How long do they last?

Unless you change your mind and have the procedure reversed, you can expect your Lumineers to last up to twenty years, in excellent condition. The ceramic used to make the veneers is very hard wearing and chips or cracks shouldn’t be a problem – providing you take care of your teeth, and don’t put them under any undue pressure. Lumineers are known to be the strongest veneer on the market, other porcelain versions will last only half as long before they will have to be replaced or removed. The Cerinate manufacturers are so confident in their product that they offer a five year guarantee with every set sold, any problems that arise during that period will be dealt with free of charge.

In the dental world, you get what you pay for, and if it’s a long lasting, perfect Hollywood smile that you’re after, the best choice is Lumineers. They might be a little bit more expensive than traditional veneers, but they pay for themselves over time, they are the strongest and most flexible procedure of this type available and they’re worth the extra investment. Keeping up with your oral hygiene will help them to last longer, as does regular cleaning appointments with your dentist.

Are they right for me?

Cerinate veneers can help fix any number of dental problems, so it’s more than likely that you will be able to get a set of veneers, no matter what condition your teeth are in. If you have chipped, crooked, or badly spaced teeth, Lumineers can cover them up make them appear straight, white and perfectly aligned. Sometimes previous dental work can leave it’s mark behind, but don’t worry if you have misshapen teeth or cracked enamel, Cerinate veneers can hide all that and give you the confidence to smile. Even patients who are in need of orthodontic treatment can benefit from Lumineers, especially if they don’t want to wait years for braces to do their work. Veneers can be fitted over problem teeth to straighten them without the need for extended orthodontic procedures.

If you’re in need of significant realignment, Lumineers probably won’t be for you because you might need more restructuring first, but don’t worry there are still options available to you and great products out there that can help.

Where can I get them?

Because Lumineers are so exclusive, you won’t be able to walk into any dentist’s surgery and get them, the porcelain is a patented design and can’t be reproduced anywhere else in the world. Cerinate Design Studio in the USA is the company that manufactures Lumineers, and they know that there could be any number of cheap imitation products out there, that’s why dentists who use their veneers have to be registered to make sure they are supplying the real thing and not a copy-cat design that won’t be nearly as effective as the original. If you decide you would like a set of Lumineers, make sure the dentist you consult with is fully registered with the Cerinate company. If they can’t prove that they’re legally allowed to provide the veneers, not only are they breaking the law, but they would also more than likely fit you with a poor imitation product, which has the potential to cause you lots of problems in the future – both medically and financially.