Lumineers Vs. Porcelain Veneers
If you think you're too old for braces, but not old enough for dentures, veneers may be the middle ground that you're looking for. Veneers are thin tooth-like coverings that are placed over the surface of your stained, chipped or crooked teeth. They're custom made in a shade that would best match your surrounding teeth. Lumineers are similar to veneers in that they also cover your teeth. But in the battle of Lumineers versus porcelain veneers, some key differences may encourage you to choose one over the other.
Reversability
When porcelain veneers are put on, some of your tooth enamel is removed to prime the surface for the veneer. This is an irreversible process. Once the enamel is gone, it's gone for good. Lumineers don't require the same type of grinding. According to the Lumineers website, you can have them removed later on.
How Long Will They Last?
There's no absolute right answer for this question because it's very much dependent on how you treat your teeth. If you brush and floss after meals, limit your sweets and see your dentist twice a year, you'll maintain better dental health than if you just brush in the morning. With that said, according to the Lumineers website, they can last over 20 years. Plus they come with a warranty so that if something does happen, they're replaced at no extra charge. Porcelain veneers can last 10 to 15 years, and with good care possibly longer.
Pain
Since some of the enamel on your teeth may be worn down, a local anesthetic is normally given before porcelain veneers are put on. This comes with the initial stick of pain. However because the dentist doesn't have to remove the same amount of enamel with Lumineers, a shot may not be required. Either way, pain should be minimal with either process.
Coverage
Porcelain veneers can be used to cover teeth that are chipped and discolored. They can also close small gaps in between teeth. Lumineers work best on teeth that are fairly straight and have little discoloration. Lumineers are thinner than porcelain veneers, so they can show existing discoloration more.
Cost
There's no set price schedule for either porcelain veneers or Lumineers. The cost is dependent on the amount of work you need done and the dentist used. However there are some ballpark figures. Lumineers can cost $700 to $1,100 per tooth. Porcelain veneers range from $620 to $1,100 a tooth.
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