Glendale Cosmetic Dentist Reviews How Teeth are Prepped for LUMINEERS and Dental Veneers Treatment, Respectively

Written by Dr. McKay on Oct 2, 2012

When you’re choosing what kind of cosmetic treatment is right for you, you take a number of variables into account. Your probably consider the cost of the treatment; what the end results will look like, and of course the timeline. LUMINEERS and veneers are two very similar treatments with slightly different treatment processes. Today I’m going explain how your natural teeth are prepped for LUMINEERS and veneers, respectively. I hope that this will help you decide what kind of cosmetic treatment might be right for you.

Both LUMINEERS and veneers are dental restorations made of porcelain. These restorations are placed over natural enamel to change a tooth’s size, shape, alignment, or color. Before LUMINEERS and veneers can be placed, your teeth have to be shaved down slightly to allow for the dental restoration.

With veneers your teeth will be shaved by about ½ millimeter—which is roughly the width of a dental veneer. Once your teeth are shaved down, you’ll need a dental veneer on them to eat and speak comfortably.

LUMINEERS also require that your dental enamel be reduced, but your dentist will not have to shave off as much dental matter to place a LUMINEER as he or she would to place a veneer. This is because LUMINEERS are thinner than veneers. Consequently, they can be placed over teeth, and fit comfortably in the mouth, without significant shaving of dental enamel. The LUMINEERS process is also often reversible—meaning that if you choose to go without LUMINEERS at some point in time your teeth will still be intact and viable.

The primary difference between dental veneers and LUMINEERS is that LUMINEERS are thinner than veneers. Both of theses treatment options deliver stunning results. Our Glendale dental office will work with you to help you determine whether LUMINEERS or veneers will fit your needs, specifically—just give us a call!