Do you have chipped or discolored teeth that are making you feel like you will never have the straight white smile of your dreams? While a teeth whitening kit can help with mild surface discoloration of teeth it can’t help with more serious issues such as a chipped tooth or deep discoloration. Luckily, porcelain veneers and Lumineers provide solutions when your teeth need more than simple teeth whitening. While porcelain veneers and Lumineers provide a very similar function they have distinct differences in how they are implemented and their overall results.
What are Porcelain Veneers?
Porcelain veneers are a made from thin pieces of tooth-colored porcelain and formed into a strong porcelain shell that is then bonded to the front of your tooth. Porcelain veneers help re-create the look of a natural white smile while also providing more durability than normal tooth enamel. Porcelain Veneers are applied by removing as little of the original tooth surface as possible. Reshaping of the tooth helps provide more room for the porcelain veneers in the mouth and helps restore the nature bite and function that existed previous to the veneers. Reshaping of the tooth also helps create a more nature feel in the mouth post-procedure compared to other treatment options such as Lumineers.
Ready to achieve your Perfect smile with Veneers?
Schedule an appointment with us today to achieve your perfect smile.
What are Lumineers?
Lumineers are actually a type of veneer. Like a porcelain veneer, Lumineers are bonded to the front facing portion of the natural tooth. However, with Lumineers there is no re-shaping of the tooth done prior to the procedure. This is because Lumineers are just thin veneers. Lumineers generally have less prep time and can maintain more of the natural tooth surface, but the whitening effect of Lumineers is limited compared to veneers.
Pros & Cons of Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain Veneer Pros
- Corrects chipped or damaged teeth
- Strengthens natural tooth enamel and surface
- Provides a more natural mouth feel
- Helps improve / maintain bite function
- Whitens the overall smile
Porcelain Veneer Cons
- Removes some of the original tooth surface
Pros & Cons of Lumineers
Lumineers Pros
- Can correct chipped or damaged teeth
- Helps improve / maintain bite function
- Maintains more of the original tooth
Lumineers Cons
- Has less whitening effect than Veneers
- Can feel bulky and cause gum irritation
Ready for Your Next Dental Visit?
Are you looking for a dentist who can perfect your smile with the help of porcelain veneers? Contact our experienced and friendly staff to schedule your first appointment.
Call today at (916) 441–5800
to learn more about our dental services.