Question:

I've seen these ads for Lumineers on TV. What is the cost of Lumineers?

Answer:

Lumineers generally cost a little less than other porcelain veneers.

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Lumineers is a brand name of the Den-Mat Corporation. Essentially, they are a tough porcelain that can be made very thin. Their main marketing appeal is that, since they are so thin, the teeth don't have to be "ground down" any, and they can be placed directly over unprepared teeth without being too bulky.

Since the procedure for doing Lumineers is simpler than the procedure for doing traditional porcelain veneers, their cost may be about 3/4 of the cost of porcelain veneers, though that cost will vary from dentist to dentist.

However, a couple of warnings are in order. If the teeth are not prepared any before placing the porcelain veneers, the cosmetic dentist has much less latitude in creating a beautiful smile design. Great cosmetic dentists, being very passionate about the beauty of the work they create, will resist this, and may refuse to place Lumineers in a situation where they feel that they will not end up looking good.

Additionally, there is a functional problem with Lumineers. Since there is no tooth preparation beforehand, there is going to be a small bump where the veneer meets the tooth, rather than the smooth, undetectable junction between a traditional porcelain veneer and the tooth. This can lead to problems with staining, gum irritation leading to gum disease, or even tooth decay down the road. An expert cosmetic dentist is the best person to help you assess these possible problems. Beware of a dentist who is too eager to place Lumineers and is unwilling to mention the possible drawbacks in your situation.

The amount of grinding that takes place when preparing a tooth for veneers is minimal, just so you know. It's in the range of tenths of a millimeter, one- to two-one-hundredths of an inch, about the thickness of a fingernail.

—Dr. Hall

Other related Information:

• A patient in Texas who had Lumineers and crowns placed has a story that illustrates well what can go wrong.
• Click here for information about Vivaneers, which are very similar to Lumineers.
• Another shortcut new smile technique is GlamSmile. Read Dr. Hall's straightforward opinions about these procedures.

Click here for referral to an expert cosmetic dentist.

Click here to return to the frequent questions about cosmetic dentistry page.