Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are Veneers?What Are Lumineers?Pros and ConsWhich Should You Choose?Frequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

What Are Veneers?

What Are Lumineers?

Pros and Cons

Which Should You Choose?

Frequently Asked Questions

Among the types of veneers are Lumineers, which are thinner, tend to be cheaper, and require less preparation to put in place. That said, “no-prep” veneers like these may not be the best for all cases, and the traditional type has its advantages.

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A young woman is looking at some teeth from a mold shown by her dentist

Made of porcelain or aresin-composite,traditional veneersare luminous white shells that are placed over discolored, chipped, worn, ormisaligned teethto fix the way they look. Working fromimpressions and imagingof your teeth, they’re crafted to fit perfectly over the front of the teeth. Veneer installation is an irreversible procedure.

What sorts of cases warrant porcelain veneers? Here’s a breakdown:

Notably, some tooth structure needs to be taken off before veneers are installed; the dentist will need to grind and shape the tooth to prepare it. In many cases, patients are first fitted with temporary veneers while the final piece or set is crafted.

Veneers and OrthodonticsNotably, veneers and Lumineers alone may not correct some cosmetic issues.Orthodontics, such as braces oraligners, orrestorative dentistrymay be necessary for some cases of crooked or crowded teeth.

Veneers and Orthodontics

Notably, veneers and Lumineers alone may not correct some cosmetic issues.Orthodontics, such as braces oraligners, orrestorative dentistrymay be necessary for some cases of crooked or crowded teeth.

As with veneers, Lumineers instantly correct and enhance the appearance of teeth. They’re effective for:

Learn the Process of How a Dental Impression Is Made

Veneers

First used in the 1930s, there’s no doubt that porcelain veneers have their place in cosmetic dentistry, and the resin composite types are also reliable options. What makes them a good option for correcting your smile? Here’s a breakdown:

However, there may also be disadvantages to traditional veneers. These include:

Lumineers

Along with other no-prep veneer options, Lumineers offer a number of immediate benefits:

Still, there are two primary drawbacks with no-prep veneers:

Veneers vs. Lumineers: Which Should You Choose?

Both veneers and Lumineers are effective and well-tolerated options for correcting smiles. Which way to go depends on your case, as your dentist will undoubtedly explain. Factors that are worth considering include:

Finding Affordable Dental Care in Your Community

Questions to Ask Your Dentist About Veneers and LumineersIf you’re considering cosmetic adjustments to your smile, it’s essential that you learn as much as you can about your options. Important questions to ask your dentist—as well as other professionals at the dental clinic—include:What options do I have besides veneers or Lumineers?How much will the procedure impact the underlying tooth or teeth?What sort of special care is necessary with veneers and Lumineers?What are some ways I can prevent staining or damage to the teeth?How often will I need to come back in for check-ups?What signs or symptoms should I look out for in my mouth?What costs can I expect and are there financing options? Does insurance cover treatment?

Questions to Ask Your Dentist About Veneers and Lumineers

If you’re considering cosmetic adjustments to your smile, it’s essential that you learn as much as you can about your options. Important questions to ask your dentist—as well as other professionals at the dental clinic—include:What options do I have besides veneers or Lumineers?How much will the procedure impact the underlying tooth or teeth?What sort of special care is necessary with veneers and Lumineers?What are some ways I can prevent staining or damage to the teeth?How often will I need to come back in for check-ups?What signs or symptoms should I look out for in my mouth?What costs can I expect and are there financing options? Does insurance cover treatment?

If you’re considering cosmetic adjustments to your smile, it’s essential that you learn as much as you can about your options. Important questions to ask your dentist—as well as other professionals at the dental clinic—include:

Summary

Traditional veneers, made of porcelain or composite resin, are specially fabricated shells placed on the front of teeth to correct their appearance. Lumineers are a type of veneer made of a thinner ceramic composite. Whereas traditional veneers tend to be more durable, they require more preparation of the tooth and take longer to install. Lumineer placement is less-invasive and a much quicker process, and it may be cheaper. However, these aren’t effective in all cases and may not last as long.

A Word From Verywell

There’s certainly much to think about when it comes to Lumineers and veneers; each has its advantages and disadvantages, and the choice has to be your own. However, the good news is that both are highly effective, viable treatments for improving the appearance of your teeth.

There’s no hiding the benefits of a brighter, whiter smile; it can help confidence andself-esteem. If you’d like to learn more about your options, talk to your dentist about veneers, Lumineers, and other treatments.

In terms of the costs of treatment per tooth, there’s a great deal of variation for both veneers and Lumineers. The former can cost anywhere from about $1,000 to $2,500, while the latter runs from $800 to $2,000.Notably, veneers require more dental visits, which can add to costs, so they’re often considered the more expensive option.Learn MoreDifferent Types of Cosmetic Dental Procedures

In terms of the costs of treatment per tooth, there’s a great deal of variation for both veneers and Lumineers. The former can cost anywhere from about $1,000 to $2,500, while the latter runs from $800 to $2,000.Notably, veneers require more dental visits, which can add to costs, so they’re often considered the more expensive option.

Learn MoreDifferent Types of Cosmetic Dental Procedures

Lumineers, if properly cared for, can last for five to 20 or more years. However, they are less durable than porcelain veneers and may be more susceptible to discoloration.Keeping up with good oral hygiene and taking special care when brushing helps preserve the color of your teeth.

Lumineers are minimally-invasive, so they have less of an impact on teeth and don’t damage them. This is in contrast to traditional veneers, for which some layers of teeth enamel have to be removed prior to placement.However, there is some risk of damage to the teeth if the Lumineer isn’t correctly fitted.Learn MoreFacts You Should Know About Your Oral Health

Lumineers are minimally-invasive, so they have less of an impact on teeth and don’t damage them. This is in contrast to traditional veneers, for which some layers of teeth enamel have to be removed prior to placement.However, there is some risk of damage to the teeth if the Lumineer isn’t correctly fitted.

Learn MoreFacts You Should Know About Your Oral Health

Learn MoreShould You Purchase Dental Insurance?

Though the placement of Lumineers is minimally invasive and they’re generally well-tolerated, there are some side-effects:Cracked Lumineers due to poor placement or fitTooth sensitivity and discomfortIrregular or non-matching colorTooth damage (a rare side-effect)Learn MoreThe Most Common Dental Problems

Though the placement of Lumineers is minimally invasive and they’re generally well-tolerated, there are some side-effects:Cracked Lumineers due to poor placement or fitTooth sensitivity and discomfortIrregular or non-matching colorTooth damage (a rare side-effect)

Though the placement of Lumineers is minimally invasive and they’re generally well-tolerated, there are some side-effects:

Learn MoreThe Most Common Dental Problems

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Porcelain dental veneers: treatment, recovery and cost.Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Minimal and “no-prep” dental veneers: what they are and how much they cost.Ravinthar K, Jayalakshmi.Recent advancements in laminates and veneers in dentistry.Research J Pharm Tech. 2018;11(2):785-787. doi:10.5958/0974-360x.2018.00148.8Alothman Y, Bamasoud M.The success of dental veneers according to preparation design and material type.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018;6(12):2402-2408. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.353NewMouth.Lumineers for your teeth.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Porcelain dental veneers: treatment, recovery and cost.Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Minimal and “no-prep” dental veneers: what they are and how much they cost.Ravinthar K, Jayalakshmi.Recent advancements in laminates and veneers in dentistry.Research J Pharm Tech. 2018;11(2):785-787. doi:10.5958/0974-360x.2018.00148.8Alothman Y, Bamasoud M.The success of dental veneers according to preparation design and material type.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018;6(12):2402-2408. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.353NewMouth.Lumineers for your teeth.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Porcelain dental veneers: treatment, recovery and cost.Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Minimal and “no-prep” dental veneers: what they are and how much they cost.Ravinthar K, Jayalakshmi.Recent advancements in laminates and veneers in dentistry.Research J Pharm Tech. 2018;11(2):785-787. doi:10.5958/0974-360x.2018.00148.8Alothman Y, Bamasoud M.The success of dental veneers according to preparation design and material type.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018;6(12):2402-2408. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.353NewMouth.Lumineers for your teeth.

Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Porcelain dental veneers: treatment, recovery and cost.

Consumer Guide to Dentistry.Minimal and “no-prep” dental veneers: what they are and how much they cost.

Ravinthar K, Jayalakshmi.Recent advancements in laminates and veneers in dentistry.Research J Pharm Tech. 2018;11(2):785-787. doi:10.5958/0974-360x.2018.00148.8

Alothman Y, Bamasoud M.The success of dental veneers according to preparation design and material type.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2018;6(12):2402-2408. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2018.353

NewMouth.Lumineers for your teeth.

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