Veneers are extremely thin and very light shells, usually custom-made of porcelain and then bonded to the fronts of teeth to change their color, surface or shape. If you have minor defects in your smile, you may be able to correct them without a major dental procedure (such as crowns).
Some of the minor defects that can be corrected with veneers are teeth stained on the inside, stains that have not responded to tooth whitening, slightly crooked teeth, oddly-shaped teeth, uneven tooth surfaces, chips, gaps, and fillings that have become discolored with time.
With veneers in place, your teeth will appear straighter, whiter, and more even. Veneers are usually made by a dental lab technician, working from a model provided by your dentist.
Advantages of veneers:
- Highly stain-resistant, even to coffee, tea or cigarettes
- Natural in appearance
- Longer lasting and with better color retention than dental bonding
- Less invasive than crowns
- Returning structural integrity to damaged teeth
- Possessing a translucence similar to that of natural teeth
On the other hand, the placing of veneers is usually irreversible, because it`s necessary to remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth to accommodate the shell.
Lumineers®
As an alternative, here is a solution that does not require the reduction of the original tooth. Unlike traditional veneers, Lumineer® brand ultra-thin porcelain veneers:
- Do not require the removal of a layer of enamel
- Do not require any shots, drilling, or anesthetic
- Are reversible, since the tooth underneath will not be reduced in size
- May last for over twenty years
How are Lumineers® Applied?
On the first dental visit, Dr. Dorfman chooses the right shade of white for you. Then, an impression of your teeth is made, and the mold is sent to the lab where only Lumineers® are made.
During the second dental visit, Dr. Dorfman checks the fit, etches the teeth to prepare for placement (without removing any sensitive tooth structure), and then painlessly bonds the Lumineers® in place, using a special light to cure the bond.
Free Consultation
For more information about the differences between veneers and Lumineers, and to get some assistance in making the choice, call Dr. Dorfman for a free consultation.