Lumineers
Coronado, CA
Thanks to developing dental technology, people with discolored, chipped, or stained teeth can restore their smiles. While some procedures like teeth whitening cannot restore some types of discoloration or tooth imperfections, Lumineers® can. These extremely thin dental veneers can fix stained teeth, small gaps, or other minor issues.
Lumineers are a great solution for patients who need cosmetic dental work but do not require extensive restoration. Coronado Dentistry & Pediatrics provides Lumineers in Coronado and the surrounding area. Call us today at (619) 354-5136 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Dental Restoration With Lumineers
Lumineers are dental veneers that adhere to the surface of the teeth enamel. They consist of cerinate feldspathic pressable porcelain, which is very thin but strong. Patients can opt for this product when the teeth are healthy but cosmetically flawed to achieve a whiter, more perfect smile.
This treatment is ideal for patients with stained or discolored teeth and restores worn-down or chipped teeth. They can also eliminate spaces and gaps and align crooked teeth. Lumineers help brighten smiles that have had no success with professional teeth whitening products.
“This treatment is ideal for patients with stained or discolored teeth and restores worn-down or chipped teeth.”
Benefits of Lumineers
According to the Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dentistry Journal, the current trend in restorative dentistry is to choose minimally invasive treatments that leave as much of the teeth intact. A benefit of Lumineers is that they require little to no tooth grinding or reduction compared to other methods. These cosmetic coatings are constructed from super-strong, stain-resistant porcelain.
Our team works with patients to color match the coating to their natural teeth to achieve a natural-looking smile. They take less preparation and dental work than traditional veneers and can last a long time. With proper care, Lumineers can last from 10 to 20 years. While a great option for many, some patients may need more extensive dental work or thicker veneers that cover their tooth issues. Additionally, patients who grind their teeth, bite their nails, or do not practice good oral hygiene may not benefit from Lumineers.
“They take less preparation and dental work than traditional veneers and can last a long time.”
Lumineers Treatment Details
The process of fitting Lumineers takes about two appointments. Before treatment can occur, we will examine the patient's teeth and discuss their goals and concerns. Once treatment starts, we will take upper and lower impressions of the patient’s teeth and makes molds of the mouth and teeth. Patients then choose the perfect shade they want for their Lumineers.
Once we collect the impressions, we will send them to the lab where technicians create the custom Lumineers. When the Lumineers are ready, the patient will return for a fitting. There is typically no preparation needed for the teeth. The dentist will have the patient try them on to check for fit and then individually bond them to each tooth.
“Once treatment starts, we will take upper and lower impressions of the patient’s teeth and makes molds of the mouth and teeth.”
The Effects of Lumineers
The placement of Lumineers does not involve removing any of the tooth’s healthy structure. Lumineers are semipermanent and usually completely reversible. Patients can choose to have their Lumineers taken off at any time. If this is the case, we will schedule a consultation to go over the process and desired outcome. Once removed, they usually do not have any effect on the original teeth.
The process of removing Lumineers is safe and effective. However, there is always a risk for damage when any type of veneer is removed from teeth. Due to this, we will need to ensure the patient’s teeth and overall oral health are in proper shape for the procedure. We will also take the necessary precautions to ensure the patient’s safety during this treatment.
“Lumineers are semipermanent and usually completely reversible”
Lumineers Vs. Veneers
Lumineers are a specific type of veneer. While they both cover teeth to help them appear whiter and straighter, there are some key differences between the two that people should consider. Lumineers are much thinner than traditional veneers, making them feel lighter and more natural.
However, their thin structure means that Lumineers cannot cover teeth with dramatically dark stains on them as veneers can. The process of applying veneers is more lengthy and invasive than for Lumineers since the removal of the tooth’s surface must occur during preparation. This modification of teeth makes veneers permanent, while Lumineers are typically removable.
“Lumineers are much thinner than traditional veneers, making them feel lighter and more natural.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Frequently Asked Questions
New patients and emergency appointments welcome
Cosmetic Dentistry Terminology
Acrylic Temporary Veneers
Acrylic temporary veneers are tooth-colored veneers that remain on the teeth for about 5 to 10 days or until the permanent veneers are ready for placement.
Certified Lumineers Dentist
A certified Lumineers dentist has the proper certification to direct the creation, placement and maintenance of Lumineers on the teeth.
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
Crown Lengthening
Crown lengthening is a surgical procedure that increases the extent of a tooth structure for restorative or esthetic purposes.
DenMat Lab
DenMat Lab provides a variety of dental equipment from curing lights to finishing/polishing instruments and impression devices.
Dental Crown
A crown is an artificial tooth, usually consisting of porcelain, which covers the top of the implant to provide people with an aesthetically pleasing and fully-functional tooth.
LumiSmile
LumiSmile can help repair and restore gaps, stains or crooked teeth instead of having to live with these imperfections on a daily basis.
Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin pieces of tooth-colored porcelain that will cover the teeth in order to correct the teeth size, shape or shade.
Tetracycline
Tetracycline is an antibiotic that can cause permanent gray discoloration of teeth when people use it at a young age.
Translucent Veneers
Translucent veneers typically consist of porcelain and match the overall shade of the surrounding teeth for a natural appearance.