Hi everyone!
You no longer have to sacrifice healthy teeth for a bright perfect smile. Now you can have both 
with Lumineers. Not only are Lumineers thinner and stronger, adding support to the structure of your teeth, but it’s a non-invasive treatment that can whiten and strengthen teeth without drilling. When people think dental veneers, they often remember the drilling, the anesthetic shots, and the shaving and shaping of the tooth’s enamel. But Lumineers, today’s new dental veneer, is another alternative to the traditional veneers of yesterday. If your smile is stained, slightly misshapen or if you have gaps between your teeth, Lumineers can give you a beautiful, natural, healthy smile in just 2 visits. There are some instances where only traditional veneers will correct the problem, but it is good to know that in cases where teeth just need to be whitened and only slightly straightened Lumineers can do a beautiful job with no or minimal tooth preparation and no shots.
Dental veneers are thin, wafer-like shells that cover the front surface of the tooth, unlike crowns which cover the entire tooth. Generally, veneers are placed on upper front and side teeth when they are discolored, slightly crooked, chipped or worn. They’re also a great option if your teeth cannot be whitened by bleaching techniques (such as severe tetracycline staining), or to correct uneven spaces or gaps between teeth.
The Lumineers Technique
Typically, dentists use two types of veneers: resin composite veneers or ceramic veneers. Porcelain veneers are way more durable and long lasting, and they come in two varieties. Lumineers are made of very strong, thin Cerinate porcelain about 0.22 mm in thickness, while traditional porcelain veneers are 0.4 to 0.8 mm. Because of their thinness, Lumineers require no drilling or reshaping of the teeth and thus no shots or anesthesia. Just like traditional veneers, we take an impression of the area and then send molds and instructions to the lab. On the next visit we adjust the Lumineers slightly for placement, and then verify their shape and color to ensure a good fit and a perfect smile. Unlike traditional veneering techniques, there is no removal of enamel that can potentially cause sensitivity. We simply bond the custom fabricated Lumineers to the surface of the teeth with dental resin. In just two visits, patients can see a dramatic change to their smile.
Lumineers are proven to last 20 years
A reassuring fact about Lumineer’s unique Cerinate porcelain structure is that it is extremely strong and has been proven 96 percent effective, lasting up to 20 years for some patients. In a study conducted in China of 736 patients, who’ve had their front teeth restored with Cerinate porcelain veneers, 96% found it to be an unnoticeable, stable, strong esthetic restoration solution without the use of excessive dental preparation.
Other Advantages to Lumineers
With the use of a no-drill-technique, Lumineers are as close to reversible as a veneer can be. If you’re unhappy with the shape or size, they are easily adjusted. Another advantage to Lumineers is that they are convenient. Since there is no or minimal preparation required there is no need for temporaries to be worn while the lab is fabricating your custom Lumineers, as there is with traditional veneers.
Since Den-Mat came out with Lumineers a number of years ago, there are other very similar ultra-thin, “no prep” veneers that have become available, such as Cristal Veneers from Aurum Labs. Each patient and each smile is different, and depending on your particular situation there is a porcelain solution which will be the most appropriate for you. We always strive to do the most conservative treatment, and Lumineers or similar ultra-thin no prep veneers are a great alternative for many patients! If you are ready to finally have the smile you’ve always wanted or are just curious what is possible for you, feel free to schedule a no cost consultation with me at Dr. Mark W Langberg, DDS, MAGD by calling 248-356-8790 or emailing me at DrLangberg@aol.com .
“Because of your smile, you make life more beautiful.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
That’s all for now! Until next time,
Mark W. Langberg, DDS, MAGD