Lumineers

How Lumineers Work to Improve Your Smile

Your teeth’s appearance matters so much because it determines the quality of your smile and confidence. If your teeth are imperfect, you will likely shy away from smiling, socializing, and enjoying life. Imperfect teeth can be stained, discolored, cracked or chipped, misaligned, overly spaced, or shorter or longer than usual. Fortunately, dentists have solutions to all kinds of tooth imperfections. Cosmetic procedures like veneers and Lumineers cover tooth imperfections well, improving your appearance, smile, and confidence.

Lumineers are ultra-thin veneers designed to improve the appearance of your teeth and smile. Dentists use an ultra-thin customized porcelain shell, which they bond to the front of your problematic tooth to cover its imperfections and give you a beautiful smile. The shell can improve your tooth’s structure and cover imperfections like chips, cracks, stains, excess space, and misalignments. Lumineers are recommended because they effectively mask tooth imperfections without requiring extensive preparation on the tooth.

Thus, if you have an imperfect smile and would like to improve it and your confidence, you can consider getting Lumineers. They work through bonding, whereby the dentist prepares a Lumineer in a dental lab that fits perfectly on the problematic tooth. The fitting should be perfect to restore your tooth’s natural structure and cover its imperfection. The Lumineer must also be carefully selected to match the exact color of your natural teeth for discretion and perfection.

The treatment procedure using Lumineers is minimally invasive, which makes this an ideal solution for most people. You can also get Lumineers if you are allergic to anesthesia, since the treatment is relatively painless and does not cause severe discomfort. Dentists do not need to make significant preparations on your tooth for a Lumineer. This makes this treatment reversible, although reversibility depends on enamel preservation and bonding. You can remove the restoration for a replacement or another treatment in case of damage or if you change your mind.

Remember that Lumineers are made and customized in a dental lab. You can get the exact color shade of your natural tooth or choose a shade you prefer. If you use a Lumineer on one or a few of your teeth, matching its color with your other teeth gives you a natural and beautiful result. Additionally, you can cover multiple teeth’s imperfections using veneers. If some teeth are shorter and others are stained or chipped, you can use one treatment to restore their appearance and enhance their beauty. You can also improve your natural appearance using Lumineers.

Materials That Make Lumineers

Typically, dentists make Lumineers from a porcelain material, which is popular for its durability and strength. The restorations must be strong to withstand the pressure your teeth are subjected to when chewing, biting, or performing other rigorous mouth activities. Strength and durability are also necessary for long-term service. If you take good care of your restorations by maintaining proper oral hygiene habits, Lumineers typically last between 5 to 15 years and may exceed 15 years with exceptional oral hygiene.

Porcelain is also sturdy and aesthetically pleasing. Remember that your smile is what people see first when they meet you. It creates a lasting impression that determines your interactions and confidence. Porcelain is perfect for improving or restoring your smile as it makes your teeth beautiful.

Porcelain is also highly recommended for dental restorations because it does not stain. Staining is a common dental issue that affects all people. Your teeth can discolor or stain because of the foods and drinks you consume, or how well, or otherwise, you clean your teeth. Natural teeth are prone to staining, and so are some dental restorations. Porcelain does not easily stain. If you take good care of your teeth after getting Lumineers, they can remain beautiful for years.

Porcelain Lumineers are also ultra-thin. They are less bulky than veneers, which makes them easy to become accustomed to after treatment. Most patients can speak and eat normally immediately after placement. Because minimal or no enamel is removed, Lumineers preserve the natural tooth structure. Once you receive a Lumineer, you may not experience issues until you are ready for a replacement. The dentist permanently attaches the restoration to your problematic teeth.

Reasons to Choose Lumineers

Lumineers offer many benefits, which you should consider for effective decision-making. Some of the reasons you should go for them include the following:

They Can Fix Many Dental Problems

Lumineers can fix more than one problem with your natural teeth. They can fix a chipped or broken tooth, tooth discoloration, misaligned or crooked teeth, misshapen or worn-out teeth, and excessive gaps between teeth. They can also make your teeth more even and brighten your dull smile. Thus, if you have multiple issues that make your teeth imperfect, your dentist can recommend Lumineers.

They Look and Feel Natural

Dentists aim to give a more natural look and feel when restoring damaged natural teeth. While not all dental restorations achieve that, some do, including Lumineers. They are designed to feel and look like natural teeth. Thus, you do not notice a significant difference in your teeth after treatment. Lumineers are also thin and translucent, mimicking the enamel’s natural appearance. No one can tell that you have a Lumineer on a particular tooth unless you tell them.

Minimal Preparation Needed to Receive a Lumineer

Some dental treatments can be uncomfortable and painful. Others require a long treatment that requires you to sacrifice your time. Some people choose treatment procedures based on how long they will take. If you need a quick fix for your imperfect teeth and a treatment that will last, you can go for Lumineers. Dentists take the least time possible to prepare a Lumineer and fix it on your imperfect teeth. Minimal preparation is needed for your natural teeth to receive a Lumineer. This makes the procedure favorable for everyone, including people who have a phobia of invasive dental procedures.

They Preserve Your Natural Teeth

Lumineers are highly recommended because they preserve the natural tooth. Most dental restorations, including traditional veneers, require the removal of a part of the natural tooth. This makes some of these treatments irreversible, because it becomes difficult for the tooth to function without a restoration after its preparation. Lumineers are ultra-thin restorations that do not affect the structure of your natural teeth. Thus, the dentist does not need to remove anything from your natural tooth to place a Lumineer. Your natural teeth remain intact even after years of having a Lumineer. Your teeth can still function without restoration. You can also replace the restoration or change to another treatment at will.

Lumineers Do Not Stain

Staining affects the appearance of your teeth, smile, and confidence. While many dental restorations are prone to staining, Lumineers are not. The porcelain material that dentists use to make Lumineers is easy to keep clean and does not easily stain. However, you must maintain good oral hygiene habits to care for your Lumineers and their beautiful look and appeal. This includes brushing twice daily and flossing every day. Take additional precautions, like rinsing your mouth, after consuming staining foods or drinks, like blueberries, coffee, and red wine.

Lumineers are Reversible.

Dentists fix Lumineers on the front of your imperfect teeth using a strong adhesive that keeps the restoration intact for years. However, you can remove the restoration for replacement at will anytime after restoration. If you prefer a different treatment or no longer want the Lumineers, your dentist can remove them without interfering with the structure and functionality of your teeth.

Additionally, minimal preparation on your natural teeth is needed when receiving Lumineers. Your teeth can still function normally when you decide to remove the Lumineers.

Lumineers are Easy to Care For

These restorations do not need special care and maintenance to remain strong and perfect. You can enjoy several years of perfect teeth after receiving Lumineers if you maintain good oral hygiene habits, as your dentist recommends. Additionally, ensure you regularly visit your dentist’s office for routine dental checks, examinations, and professional cleaning. If the restorations are damaged or not functioning as they should, your dentist will recommend a suitable solution before the matter escalates.

You Can Change Your Overall Appearance with Lumineers

Since Lumineers are inexpensive, easy to place, and require minimal tooth preparation, you can change the appearance of most or all of your teeth for a more enhanced smile and beauty using them. If you do not like how your teeth look, or most of them are discolored or stained, you can use Lumineers to change your overall appearance and smile. The dentist will take you through the process and help you choose a color shade you want for your new look.

Treatment Procedure with Dental Lumineers

If you have imperfect teeth and want to enhance your smile and beauty, you should speak to your dentist about your concerns. Your dentist’s treatment recommendation will depend on the extent of damage to your teeth, your preferences, your budget, and your treatment history. It takes a few steps with your dentist to receive Lumineers if you are a perfect candidate. Here are the typical steps you should expect once you start the treatment process:

Initial Consultation

The treatment process to receive Lumineers starts with the initial consultation you make with your dentist to discuss your imperfect teeth. You will likely make this appointment if your teeth are misaligned, discolored, stained, spaced, or uneven. Your dentist will assess your teeth to determine the actual problem for the best treatment recommendation. They will also evaluate your oral health, discuss your goals, and review your treatment history. After obtaining the correct information from the assessment, your dentist will discuss various treatments that will give you the desired results.

They will explain the benefits and disadvantages of every treatment recommendation to help you make an informed decision. If you are a suitable candidate for Lumineers, your dentist will bring it up during this initial consultation. They will provide all the information you need to know what to expect during treatment and when you receive it.

Making Impressions

If you choose Lumineers and are ready for the treatment, your dentist will make impressions of the teeth that need treatment. They will use these impressions to create Lumineers that will fit perfectly on your teeth to cover the imperfections that affect your smile and confidence. The number and kind of impressions your dentist takes depend on the number of imperfect teeth whose appearance you want to improve.

This process can be done during your initial visit to the dentist’s office. It is non-invasive and takes only a few minutes. Once the dentist takes impressions of your teeth, they create molds, which they send to the dental lab to create Lumineers for your teeth.

Shade Selection

This, too, can be done during the initial visit to your dentist’s office. It involves choosing a color of Lumineers that will match the natural color of your teeth. If you are using Lumineers to change the general appearance of your teeth, your dentist will help you select a shade that suits your goals.

Placement of Lumineers

Your dentist will require a few hours or days to prepare your Lumineers for placement, meaning you will need a second visit to their office to complete the treatment. Since they did not prepare your teeth for the placement, like it is done when getting veneers or dental crowns, you do not need artificial Lumineers to protect your teeth. When the restorations are ready, your dentist will call you back to their office for placement.

The placement process involves light etching on the teeth to enhance the bonding. The dentist will then apply a special adhesive to the front part of the tooth and carefully place the veneer for bonding. They will assess and adjust the restoration to give you a perfect look. The dentist will then polish the veneers to complete the treatment.

You do not need a special recovery time after receiving Lumineers. You could experience discomfort, or your gums could swell for a few days after the procedure. However, these are not severe after-treatment effects that can affect your ability to perform your usual tasks. However, if you experience extreme side effects, like bleeding, swelling, and sensitivity, you should seek immediate treatment.

Who is a Suitable Candidate for Lumineers

Lumineers are mainly recommended for people over the age of 18. You must not have a severe dental issue or infection. For example, your dentist will recommend an alternative treatment if your teeth are severely spaced, misaligned, or missing. Lumineers work best on minor imperfections that you can cover without interfering with the structure and functionality of your natural teeth. These include minor chips or cracks, small gaps between teeth, and minor discoloration. Since these restorations are usually ultra-thin, they may not effectively cover a severe discoloration.

Your dentist will also not recommend Lumineers if you habitually grind or clench your teeth or bite your nails. These are habits that damage your teeth and dental restorations. Lumineers are thin and brittle. You can easily break them when you apply excess pressure on your teeth, requiring constant replacement, which can eventually become expensive.

Find an Experienced Cosmetic Dentist Near Me

Do you or someone you love have minor imperfections on their teeth that affect your smile and confidence in Calabasas?

There are several treatments your dentist can recommend, including veneers and Lumineers. If you need a quick, less invasive, and strong restoration, Lumineers can work for you. However, you must be a suitable candidate for your dentist to recommend them.

At Calabasas Smiles Advanced Dentistry, we will examine your teeth and gums and review your treatment history to determine your suitability for Lumineers. We will also discuss your treatment goals and take you through the treatment process to ensure you know what to expect during and after treatment. Our highly skilled and experienced cosmetic dentist will also ensure you receive quality treatment and after-treatment care tips so you can enjoy your Lumineers for years. Call us at 818-878-7300 for more information about Lumineers and our services.