Dental veneers have been widely used for a number of years now and with advancing dental technology, procedures and techniques has come improvements in the materials used, the way they are applied, the results that are achieved and the price.
The most striking advantage of Lumineers over traditional veneers is the minimal tooth preparation required, so they are ideal for patients who do not want the pain and inconvenience of having their teeth shaved down.
Lumineers are a type of cosmetic, veneer like treatment used by dentists to help accomplish even better results than those achieved from traditional veneers. At the Essex Smile Centre, we are very proud to be able to offer dental Lumineers to our patients to create the smile they’ve always wanted.
Created by Cerinate, Lumineers are made of a hard wearing, long lasting, ultra-thin porcelain that is shaped and customised before being bonded to the tooth. They can be used to help correct or improve a number of cosmetic issues including;
Lumineers can be used for treatment of a single tooth or utilised to treat several at once for a full smile makeover. They deliver natural, beautiful results and use colour match technology to ensure they complement the existing teeth perfectly, for unrivalled results.
Although both veneers and Lumineers are used to improve patients’ teeth by covering dental flaws such as staining, gaps and cracks, there are many additional benefits to using Lumineers that you do not get with traditional veneers.
The patented Cerinate porcelain used to create Lumineers is known not only for being exceedingly strong but thin. They are in fact so thin that they have earned the nickname of ‘contact lenses for teeth’. This obviously makes for much more natural results, a better fit in the mouth and requires less preparation and filing down of the existing teeth.
The unique strength and size of the custom made Lumineers means that, unlike traditional veneers, they require minimal tooth preparation. Most veneers involve shaving down the original teeth in order to prepare and make way for the veneers to be bonded to the surface. However, Lumineers are so thin that very little, if any of the natural structure of the existing tooth needs to be shaved down or removed. This means that unlike with veneers, the tooth underneath remains protected and intact and the treatment is fully reversible.
Because there is often no need to file down the natural tooth, Lumineers are an almost painless procedure requiring no drills, needles or anaesthetic. Since the teeth remain intact and no dentine is exposed, there are no potential sensitivity issues.
Traditional veneers can typically last around 10 years before they need replacing, which is a great long-term solution. However, Lumineers can potentially last over 20 years if cared for properly.
The process of Lumineers is relatively straightforward and typically involves much less chair time and appointments then with veneers although this depends on the individual patient and their dental plan. Some patients require additional treatments prior to or following Lumineers in order to achieve the results they desire, which typically includes procedures such as composite bonding, whitening or orthodontics. If it is a straightforward treatment, then the full process can be achieved in as little as just 2 appointments.
At the initial stages you will undergo a detailed examination and have impressions taken in order for your dentist to ascertain whether you are a suitable candidate. Using the latest dental technology, they will then map out the structure of your teeth to help create a custom plan for your Lumineers.
These can usually then be fitted once the Lumineers are ready and require minimal etching, shaving or preparation before they are set in place and you can begin to enjoy your new smile!
As with all dental treatments, the suitability will depend on the individual patient, their teeth and their overall smile goals. Lumineers can be a great treatment option for a number of dental issues and our expert clinicians are happy to discuss your options with you.
To find out more about our Lumineers treatment or to book a consultation then please contact us today to speak to one of our friendly team.
I am writing to thank you and all the staff at The Smile Centre for the treatment I have received. After my consultation, I was soon fitted with my Inman Aligner, a little uncomfortable for a couple of weeks, but I did get used to it, and it became part of my daily routine, I even ended up wearing it at work. My treatment was a little over 3 months, in the last weeks I noticed a lot of movement. I can honestly say I was over the moon with the result, and so quickly.
Ruth
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