Feb. 5, 2007, Los Angeles and Beverly Hills -- Veneers and Lumineers®: What's the difference? If you've spent some time researching cosmetic dentistry, you've no doubt run across these terms.
Both of these popular, restorative-dentistry options are made of thin, durable porcelain. Both provide natural and long lasting results. But choosing which option is best suited to your needs depends on your dental history, overall health and desired results. Top cosmetic dentist Dr. Anthony Mobasser can help you choose the treatment that's perfect for your needs.
Traditional porcelain veneers are, in essence, conservative crowns. Also known as "dental porcelain laminates," these wafer-thin shells permanently bond to teeth to cover discolored, chipped, misaligned or worn teeth.
Veneers also can straighten and lengthen teeth, improving both your smile and bite position. Because porcelain isn't porous, veneers won't stain and are highly resilient.
Unlike a crown, which covers the entire tooth, a veneer covers only the visible portion of the tooth. Thus, much of the natural tooth structure remains in place. However, because each veneer must be shaped specific to its tooth, roughly .5 mm of the original tooth structure must be removed to allow space for the new veneer.
The contact-lens-thin Lumineers are manufactured differently from veneers. Their advantage is that they are placed directly over existing teeth, without removing any of the original tooth structure. For the best long-term results, however, placement requires enough of the original tooth surface remain for the bonding process. Unlike veneers, Lumineers can be removed, if desired.
Both porcelain veneers and Lumineers offer excellent advantages. Both are stain resistant and can:
• Repair minor tooth imperfections, (including small chips or worn surfaces);
• Conceal stained or discolored fillings and poor cosmetic-bonding jobs; and
• Cover discolored teeth, including those darkened by a root canal, physical trauma and the staining from tetracycline or fluorosis.
In some instances, porcelain veneers and Lumineers are excellent alternatives to costly and timely orthodontic treatments. For example, Dr. Mobasser can close the space (or"diastema") between your teeth with either product. This method of "instant orthodontics" can solve problem teeth that are just slightly out of place or extremely crooked.
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Call Dr. Mobasser today at 1.310.550.0383 or email us to schedule an appointment and learn more about veneers and Lumineers.
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