Lumineers are very slight dental improvements, about 0.2mm in thickness, which offer a synthetic enamel appearance because of their translucence. Almost no tooth reduction is necessary because of this design, compared to veneers, while they’re rated to last for over 20 years under normal conditions. This creates a pain-free method of whitening your teeth without the sensitivity of other beautification methods.
Veneers help to create smile consistency when there are gaps between teeth, chipped teeth, or misshapen teeth. They are also thin coverings, though thicker than Lumineers, and help to cover stains which may rob someone of their self-confidence. They are usually made from either porcelain or composite resin.
If you’re thinking about an improvement to your smile, then you have a decision to make at your dentist’s office. Here are the Lumineers vs. veneers pros and cons to evaluate when determining which of these options is right for your oral health.
List of the Pros of Lumineers vs. Veneers
1. Lumineers require less removal of the existing tooth enamel.
If you want to improve the look of your smile, both Lumineers and veneers offer useful options. Porcelain veneers require more prep work on the teeth to make room for the product, which means a majority of the existing tooth enamel might be removed. Lumineers require far less preparation, requiring very little (if any) enamel to be sanded down to prepare for the application. That means Lumineers qualify as a non-invasive option, while many veneers do not.
2. Lumineers are much thinner than veneers.
The typical Lumineers application is comparable to the placement of a contact lens in the eye. After the minimal prep work is completed on your teeth, the product is affixed to the front of your tooth to create the even shape and color of the smile you want. Both options are durable, secure, and last for more than a decade when properly applied and cared for. As with veneers, you cannot eat hard items, like ice, because this creates a higher risk of cracking or chipping.
3. Lumineers add a fullness to the face.
Even with the minimal preparation involved, Lumineers tend to stick out a little more than your natural teeth did. This action creates pressure against your lower lip, making then bump out a bit more. If you have thinning lips, this process results in a look that is much fuller. Lumineers create less of this effect while staying snug to your teeth, helping to create a smile that looks as natural as it feels, whereas veneers can sometimes feel heavy and push out the lips further than desired.
4. Lumineers offer a reversal option that veneers cannot.
Veneers require the dentist to take off a large portion of the existing enamel to make room for the product installation. That is tooth material which you can’t get back after it is gone. Lumineers are different. Because most patients require minimal tooth reduction for the procedure, you can often change your mind about them if you don’t like the way your mouth looks or feels. That means the Lumineers are reversible without much damage to the natural tooth, which is an advantage veneers don’t offer. You’re pretty much stuck with veneers if that’s the choice you make.
5. Lumineers look natural when placed correctly.
The look of Lumineers in any light condition is similar to what natural teeth provide. Veneers tend to look opaque compared to Lumineers, especially the ones made from resin, creating a sense of “falseness” to the appearance of the smile. Although both options require the same amount of care, including brushing and flossing, you’ll find that the translucency offered by the Lumineers offers an authenticity which is superior to other products your dentist would use to improve the look of your smile.
6. Lumineers are placed with less pain compared to veneers.
The Lumineers procedure is a pain-free way to whiten your teeth and reshape your smile. Most people can have them placed without having any shots to numb up the mouth. Grinding of the original tooth structure is uncommon when compared to veneers. Once the placement is complete, there are fewer issues with sensitivity or discomfort, allowing them to feel and look natural from the first moment you see them.
7. Lumineers last longer than veneers do under normal wear-and-tear conditions.
Lumineers are an exclusive product offered by DenMat Laboratories, which is one of the largest makers of professional dentistry materials in the United States. Clinical testing of this product proves that it lasts for over 20 years, giving you a smile which looks great and helps you feel more confident in your appearance. Over 13,000 dentists in the U.S. currently recommend using them, with over 1 million currently placed.
Veneers are rated to last for about 10 years. They were first conceived in the 1920s to improve the smiles of actors in Hollywood by Dr. Charles Pincus, but it wouldn’t be until the 1980s when everyone would have access to this type of smile improvement. Veneers might be cheaper, but they also only last about half as long.
8. Lumineers come loose over time less often than veneers.
Both veneers and Lumineers can work themselves loose over time, even when you follow the care guidelines offered by your dentist and the product manufacturer. If that happens, new ones are often necessary to create the final look wanted. Lumineers are more stable in their placement when compared to veneers because they are lighter and are supported by more of the natural tooth than their counterparts.
You’ll need to avoid biting your fingernails to prevent premature wear-and-tear on Lumineers to experience this advantage. You must also keep your teeth and gums clean with daily brushing and flossing to prevent germs from working their way underneath the product to lift them up.
9. Lumineers can often be placed in a single visit to the dentist.
The thinness of the Lumineers, combined with the lessor prep work requirements for the product, make it possible for the dentist to transform your smile in a single day. That is contingent on there not being any tooth decay or oral infections present at the time of the procedure.
Veneers are a different story. If you opt for composite resin veneers, then you might be able to get in and out of the dentist chair in a single day with your new smile. Porcelain veneers often require multiple visits to complete the procedure. After an impression of your smile is made, the dental lab custom-makes the veneers to fit your teeth, which often takes several days to complete. A third appointment may be necessary for some if shaping issues occur after the placement procedure too.
List of the Cons of Lumineers vs. Veneers
1. Lumineers sometimes look bulky when the work is complete.
Although Lumineers are noticeably thinner than veneers, they actually look thicker when the work is complete. They look bulky and thick on people with small mouths, more so than even veneers do because of the prep work. Dentists will create more space for veneers than they do for Lumineers under most circumstances, so some people walk away with Lumineers feeling unhappy because their mouth feels much different than before.
2. Lumineers usually cost more than veneers do.
The average price of Lumineers and veneers depends on your current geographic location. Communities with a lower median income typically see the lower end of the price spectrum. Several oral health factors play roles in the final cost of these products too, so everyone sees a slightly different cost quote for the installation of Lumineers or veneers.
From a general pricing standpoint, however, veneers are usually cheaper than Lumineers. The average cost of traditional veneers can be anywhere from $500 per tooth to over $1,900, while the price of Lumineers ranges from $800 per tooth to over $2,000.
3. Lumineers aren’t well-suited for extensive tooth imperfections.
If your dentist places Lumineers correctly after the prep work is complete, they’ll do an excellent job for minor imperfections in your teeth. Issues such as severe discoloration, cracked teeth, chips, or diastema typically do better when porcelain veneers are used to correct the procedure. Although up to 0.5mm could be shaved off the tooth to prepare for the veneer, which is 0.3mm more than for Lumineers, a stronger bond and more natural look for extensive damage or health concerns push the decision over to the veneers.
4. Both options require you to have a healthy mouth before the work can be done.
Patients must have healthy teeth and gums to qualify for Lumineers or veneers. If you have tooth decay issues to address, gum disease, or oral infections which impact the quality of your oral health, then they must be resolved first before Lumineers or veneers become a treatment option. You must also have some enamel on your teeth for the procedure to be successful. People who grind their teeth frequently, clench their jaw, or eat certain foods consistently are not always good candidates for either option.
5. Some veneers are more accessible to repair than Lumineers if something happens to them.
If you opt for Lumineers to improve your smile, then chipping or cracking results in the need to have a brand-new product placed. That means you’ll be paying the per-tooth cost for the new Lumineer over the broken one. Composite resin veneers are a little different. Although they aren’t as strong as Lumineers (or even porcelain veneers), without the same levels of wear resistance, they’re much easier to repair. That can keep down costs for you if ongoing maintenance concerns are a budget priority.
6. There is no insurance coverage for Lumineers under most circumstances.
Although there are exceptions to every rule, most people will not have Lumineers covered under their dental insurance policy. Dentists could bill your insurance for the procedure, but it is not in the policy for most people. If you require tooth restoration, the insurance covers a crown instead. That means Lumineers and most (but not all) veneer applications are treated as a cosmetic procedure instead.
If you can’t afford the cost of the cosmetic work, which is often more than $10,000, then financing options may be available through your dentist, local lender, or online network.
List of the Similarities Between Lumineers vs. Veneers
Lumineers and veneers may have several different features from one another, but they also have several similarities which are critical to point out.
Both options give you the chance to have a brighter, whiter smile. When people think that their teeth are healthy, then they start to live healthier lives. It is not unusual for oral care to improve after the application of Lumineers or veneers.
Both offer a thin layer of porcelain to protect your teeth, although some veneers are made from a weaker composite resin. All are durable, strong, and easy to maintain. Regular brushing, flossing, and other recommendations from your dentist are all that is necessary to maintain the look and feel of your upgraded smile for decades to come.
Lumineers and veneers are custom-made for you to create a seamless smile. Choose a cosmetic dentist with a laboratory on-site for the fastest results.
Even though there are some price differences between these two choices, Lumineers and veneers come at a similar cost if you take some time to shop around for prices. Most people don’t search for competitive pricing because they seek out the closest provider to their home to get the work done. If you’re willing to travel a little, you might save several thousand dollars on this procedure.
These Lumineers vs. veneers pros and cons look at the quality of the product combined with the expertise of the dentist involved with the work. Anyone can experience poor results if improper shaping occurs. Lumineers require less bonding time and could be a no-prep installation, but it might also create incomplete results. That’s why the final decision about which option to get for your smile should always be between you and your dentist.