Straight teeth are an important beauty feature for many people. With veneers and ultra-thin Lumineer ceramic plates, the appearance of the dentition can be improved gently and sustainably.
Veneers and Lumineers are white veneers that are attached directly to the teeth to give your smile a new or old shine. The different types can be used to specifically treat aesthetic flaws and create an even white smile.
What are veneers and lumineers?
Veneers and Lumineers are based on the same technique and are designed to make your smile white and symmetrical. Originally from the U.S.A., these are thin veneers made of full ceramics, a plastic-ceramic mixture or purely plastic, which are bonded to the tooth and thus allow its color and shape to be corrected entirely according to your wishes. Especially in the case of front teeth, the treatment delivers impressive results. Whether the teeth have become discolored or defective over the years, a gap between the teeth needs to be closed or the position of the teeth is not ideal, the versatile applicability of veneers and Lumineers offers a probable solution for many problems.
Differences and variations: Veneers and Lumineers
The veneer already appears in different variants. The conventional form has a thickness of approx. 1 mm. This is a material thickness that makes it necessary to grind away tooth substance. In the case of the non-prep veneer, on the other hand, this procedure is not necessary. It is much thinner (0.3 - 0.6 mm) and can be attached directly to the tooth. Lumineers belong to this category. Their special status is based on the widespread use of the product, which is made by the Den-Mat company from a patented ceramic (Cerinate) and is characterized by a five-year warranty. Finally, there are instant veneers. Unlike the other types, they can be placed on the tooth within one session, but they are made purely of plastic.
Customization and attachment
Before the application of the veneers can begin, a professional tooth cleaning must be performed to establish the cleanliness required for the treatment. In addition, the procedure can only be performed on healthy teeth and in a healthy oral cavity, which may mean further treatments.
If a conventional veneer of approximately 1 mm thickness is used, between 0.3 to 3 mm of enamel must be removed during the first appointment, which depends on the individual tooth position or discoloration. The period of acclimatization for these veneers is of primary importance, as their additional volume may give the impression of a foreign body in the mouth. If, on the other hand, the tooth is less in need of restoration, thinner versions can be used that eliminate the need for grinding. Each veneer (except for soft veneers) is made on the basis of a cast in the dental office and, in collaboration with a dental laboratory, is used as the basis for the necessary as well as aesthetic adjustments.
At the second appointment, the veneers are cemented in place. Their color can be adjusted in detail
using opaquers and modifiers (tinctures that lighten or darken the veneer). By adjusting these liquids in different ways, the result can be adapted to your requirements. After bonding and cleaning excess material, a bite test helps determine if there are no problems chewing or closing the mouth. Corrections are made immediately.
The wide range of veneer options makes it possible to find an optimal solution specifically for each tooth. For example, if a discoloration on one tooth can only be covered with a thicker veneer, but on another tooth a non-prep veneer or a Lumineer is recommended due to minor blemishes, the decision to use one or the other is made during this first appointment.
