Lumineers and porcelain veneers are very similar cosmetic choices for your smile. Porcelain
veneers are made of a durable ceramic material that’s thin yet provides a strong, attractive
solution to tooth appearance that may be impacted by chips, stains, or unusually shaped teeth.
Meanwhile, Lumineers are made of a patented form of ceramic and offer an even thinner
option for restoring your smile. So which one should you choose? Here are the fundamental
differences between these cosmetic treatments and why some patients would favor one over
the other.
The Difference Between Lumineers and Traditional Veneers
Lumineers provide many of the same benefits as traditional veneers. They’re strong, thin, and
transform your smile. However, Lumineers offer a difference that porcelain veneers can’t
provide—in many cases, no tooth preparation is necessary.
In traditional porcelain veneers, a bit of tooth enamel needs to be removed in order for the
veneer to bond properly to the surface of the teeth. Many patients would prefer to skip this
step to avoid the removal of some of their tooth enamel, even if it is only a tiny amount.
Lumineers allow patients to keep more of their natural tooth structure and tend to be less
translucent than porcelain veneers, which can look slightly less translucent but provide a robust
shade of white that’s resistant to stains.
Why Lumineers Appeal to Some Patients
Lumineers appeal to many patients for a few reasons, the first being the ability to forgo tooth
preparation and keep more of their tooth structure.
Another reason is that the procedure has the possibility to be reversed without permanently
damaging your natural teeth. With porcelain veneers, the removal of tooth enamel is
irreversible and so these are considered a permanent form of treatment.
However, since Lumineers allow the patient to keep their natural teeth the way they are, they
tend to not fit as snugly against the natural teeth as porcelain veneers do. This means they may
protrude slightly, which can make the lips appear fuller (which some patients like).
Making the Best Choice for Your Smile
Both porcelain veneers and Lumineers are custom-made, meaning that your dentist will help
you decide on the best size, shape, and color for your smile. Your restored smile should always
suit your preferences and provide you with confidence and functionality.
Lumineers and porcelain veneers can provide very similar results, but the choice you make will
be based on your unique smile and what you’d like the end result to be. Your dentist can help
you make the best choice for you by discussing the pros and cons of using each in regards to
what you want to accomplish with your smile.
If you want to change the appearance of your smile, considering either Lumineers or porcelain
veneers can help dramatically improve your smile without the need for teeth whitening,
orthodontics, or even tooth bonding. Schedule a consultation with your dentist to ask how one
of these cosmetic treatments can improve your smile!
