LUMINEERS®
LUMINEERS® are an excellent option for people who are unhappy with the cosmetic appearance of their teeth. These ultra-thin porcelain veneers fit perfectly over your teeth making them look cosmetically perfect, white and completely beautiful. An off-white or crooked smile can cause serious confidence problems. LUMINEERS® are a fantastic alternative for patients wanting a beautiful smile without surgery, harsh chemicals or painful treatments.
For LUMINEERS® to be applied, the underlying teeth, bone and gums must be healthy. Patients with gum disease or tooth decay must be treated prior to LUMINEERS® placement. Unlike traditional veneers, LUMINEERS® can be left in place for 20 years or more. In most cases, LUMINEERS® can be fitted in as little as two appointments, and instantly add pizzazz to your smile.
Here are some of the problems that LUMINEERS® can solve:
How can LUMINEERS® benefit me?
LUMINEERS® provide a wide range of advantages over similar treatments. The most meaningful advantage to anxious patients is that no painful alterations of the teeth are required prior to the LUMINEERS® application. The veneers themselves are so thin and unobtrusive that speech and eating are seldom affected.
Here are some of the other advantages of LUMINEERS®:
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No pain or discomfort.
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Option to place multiple LUMINEERS® at one time.
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Perfect, pearly-white teeth.
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Thickness of a contact lens.
Are LUMINEERS® strong enough?
LUMINEERS® are constructed from Cerinate® porcelain, which is known for its exceptional strength. Even though LUMINEERS® are thinner than dental veneers, they are less likely to break or chip. Additionally, Cerinate® porcelain can be color-modified and balanced. This means that different levels of opaqueness and translucency can be utilized.
How are LUMINEERS® applied to the teeth?
One of the main reasons LUMINEERS® are so easy to fit is that little etching has to be done beforehand. With traditional veneers, many teeth might have to be permanently altered or drilled to ensure the best fit. However, LUMINEERS® offer a beautiful end product without any drilling, anesthesia or extensive etching. This factor alone can reduce the time in the dental chair by almost half, when compared to traditional veneers.
During the initial visit, bite impressions and X-rays are taken to determine the exact way the teeth fit together. The dentist also thoroughly examines the teeth to ensure that no tooth decay and no signs of gum disease are present. Together, the dentist and patient choose the color of the LUMINEERS® and the desired level of transparency. The bite impressions are sent to the laboratory to be custom-crafted.
The LUMINEERS® are bonded to the teeth at the second appointment. Once the LUMINEERS® are in place, they are polished until they are completely smooth. The advantage of this smoothness is that bacteria and staining agents cannot easily adhere to the surface of the LUMINEERS®. A follow up appointment will be scheduled for one week later to do some final finishing and polishing.
Your treatment is finished, giving you a beautiful, white smile!
If you have questions or concerns about LUMINEERS®, please ask your dentist.
LUMINEERS® and Cerinate® are registered trademarks of Den-Mat Holdings LLC.