Lumineers or Veneers? – What You Should Know

When you are deciding whether you want Lumineers or veneers, it can be hard to narrow it down. Lumineers and veneers have some similarities, but they also have important differences. We know you have many questions regarding the two, so we have compiled a list of questions we receive about Lumineers and veneers for your convenience.

What do Lumineers and veneers have in common?

Lumineers and veneers are both made of ceramic porcelain material. They both have a thin structure used to cover the fronts and partial sides of your front teeth. They improve the appearance of dental imperfections, including making your teeth look longer, straighter, whiter, or closer together if gaps are present. Because of the material they are created from, both Lumineers and veneers are stain-resilient and have the sheen of natural teeth.

Are Lumineers or veneers better for your teeth?

Veneers, also known as porcelain veneers, are thin shells bonded to the fronts of teeth. Although they are thin, they are not nearly as thin as Lumineers. Lumineers are so thin, they are often compared to a contact lens. Since veneers are thicker, they require the removal of approximately .5mm of your dental enamel from the fronts of your teeth. The removal of this enamel will allow for more space for the veneers to fit closer to your teeth without protruding. Because Lumineers are thinner than veneers, their application does not require any enamel removal before placement. Lumineers easily bond to the fronts of teeth in a realistic-looking manner.

Lumineers also do not require temporary veneers to be worn while your Lumineers are being created. Since enamel work is done for veneers placement, you will be required to wear low-quality veneers in between visits in order to protect your teeth. Unfortunately, since temporary veneers are not bonded as closely to your teeth and are not made of durable materials, they do not protect them very well and may cause sensitivities. With Lumineers, no modifications will be made. During your first visit, we will prepare the information for your Lumineers to be made, and then you may return home with zero discomfort.

Once your Lumineers are ready, you will return to our office for placement.

Do Lumineers or veneers require anesthetics?

In most cases, Lumineers do not require anesthetics, since your teeth will not need to be modified before they are placed. You will enjoy a discomfort-free placement procedure with no lingering tenderness afterward. With veneers, an anesthetic will be used to numb the teeth being worked on. Following the placement of your veneers, you may notice tenderness and sensitivity at first, which should subside with time.  

We hope our answers to these Lumineers or veneers questions have helped you better understand how they are similar and how they differ. To learn more about these options, call or visit our office. We will be happy to further explain, so you can make the best decision for your teeth.