Veneers and lumineers are great ways to help protect and brighten your teeth. Both are solutions for those who are looking to brighten up their smile and protect their teeth once the enamel has worn thinner over time. They can serve a whole variety of purposes and keep your oral health in tip-top shape.
Tooth enamel is a thin, protective layer that sits on the top of the tooth to protect the sensitive dentin underneath from infections, also known as cavities. As the enamel wears thinner, the tooth below becomes more susceptible to infections and ultimately cavities. Cavities are infections in the dentin of the tooth that needs to be drilled out and filled in with an alternative substance before it's capped off to keep the cavity from getting to the root of the tooth. That entire process happens when your enamel gets worn away, and the tooth below is left vulnerable.
Veneers are porcelain coverings for your teeth that can help fix a variety of different dental issues for patients, including the following:
Veneers are custom-made for your teeth so each set will come custom-made in the right size, shape, color, and thickness to meet each patient's personal need.
Veneers are thin porcelain coverings that go over the already-existing teeth to fix a variety of issues including those listed above. Lumineers, on the other hand, are another option alongside veneers, but they are easier to put onto the tooth as they require no preparation of the teeth before they are placed (unlike the veneers that often require teeth to get filed down first).
Lumineers are easy to put on the tooth as they go right down over the top of the existing tooth, enamel and all. Lumineers can generally get put on in one visit, where we veneers have to get custom made to your teeth, which means that the process requires several appointments to complete and is more involved and complex.
The procedure to place veneers on will require the dentist to shave down the teeth before the veneers get put on., Teeth will need to have smooth, even surfaces before the dentist can put the veneers on. The dentist will prepare your teeth in one trip, and you will usually have to come back a few weeks later to have the custom veneers put on once they get made.
Having your teeth shaved down before the veneers are put on is not always the most comfortable experience and can be downright scary for certain patients.
On the other hand, lumineers are generally able to get put on in one visit, and there is no preparation required to get the lumineers put on.
You will continue to treat your teeth the same way you always have. You will still need to brush 2-3 times per day and floss daily. You will want to visit your dentist every 6 months just like you always have for regular cleanings just as you always have in the past.
Both veneers and lumineers have great longevity and should easily last you a decade or longer if properly taken care.
At Georgetown Family Dentistry, we are here to meet all of your veneer or lumineers needs as well as all of your other dental needs. Please feel free to contact us to schedule a consultation at your earliest convenience.
