I’ve heard of dental veneers, but what are Lumineers2?

Lumineers can be looked at as a more advanced version of porcelain veneers, as they are thinner, stronger and look more realistic. Normal dental veneers require quite a lot of work to be carried out on the natural teeth, so that the shells can fit comfortably in place, without appearing over-sized, Lumineers are made from extremely tough Cerinate porcelain, which can be cut very thin, essentially eliminating this part of the treatment. It may still be necessary to partially reshape the enamel, particularly if large teeth are one of the problems being dealt with, but in comparison to traditional porcelains, this process is significantly reduced. This not only makes the treatment easier on the patient, it also means that the procedure is reversible, if they decide they want the veneers removing for some reason. Furthermore, Lumineers are generally thought to be more natural in appearance, thanks to the treated Cerinate that is used to create them, and they are highly durable, so they should outlast their nearest competitors by some margin.

Where can I get Lumineers2 from?

This kind of veneer has just started to take off in the UK, so you should find that more and more clinics are offering them – just make sure they are providing the real thing, Lumineers can only be made from Cerinate porcelain, which comes from a factory in the United States, anything else is a cheap imitation. Ask to see some credentials before you go ahead with treatment, all clinics offering Lumineers should have a certificate to prove that they are qualified and legally allowed to fit them, if they can’t provide you with this, you should find someone else to work on your teeth.

The Pearl Dental Clinic, in London, is certified to place Lumineers, and can show evidence of their surgeons’ skills and experience, so you know you’re in the safest of hands; give them a call today and arrange a consultation, if you want the very best in dental treatment and customer service.

Is the fitting procedure painful?

Most patients who have Lumineers fitted won’t have to a local anaesthetic, but there may be some people who need more re-modelling than others and they will be advised of this beforehand. Traditional veneers are slightly more invasive than Lumineers, and they generally require anaesthetic because larger sections of enamel are being removed. In theory, because there is less drilling taking place, the patient shouldn’t need to be numbed at the beginning of their treatment – but, of course, everyone’s teeth are different, what applies to one person won’t necessarily be suitable for another. However your dentist decides to proceed, they should be acting in your best interest, which means that you won’t feel any pain, regardless of whether or not you have had anaesthetic administered.

If you’re worried about needles, or you’re just very nervous being at the dentist’s surgery, you could discuss sedation techniques with your dentist beforehand, there are plenty of methods available to keep you calm and allow the treatment to run smoothly. You may be prescribed sedatives in the form of pills or, more commonly, as an inhalant, which enters your system when you breathe in and makes you feel more relaxed – although you won’t be knocked unconscious.

One last point to remember about the fitting procedure is that, because most patients require less tooth preparation during their first appointment, fitting the laminates tends to be simpler, which means the process should be faster, and you won’t have to sit in the chair for hours and hours. This does depend on how many teeth you are having replaced, if you are having Lumineers fitted on all your teeth, top and bottom jaw, your surgeon might decide to book a third appointment for you, to split the treatment up into less arduous sessions.

Will Lumineers2 hurt my teeth after they are fitted?

Again, this may be a noticeable problem with normal porcelain veneers, but Lumineers are superior in this sense too; traditional veneers sometimes cause the teeth to become more sensitive, because the protective mineral layers have been stripped away during the filing process, but Lumineers avoid this issue, and this means the delicate inner workings of the teeth still have adequate protection from the outside environment. Your gums might feel a little bit sore or tender after the fitting has been completed, but this should subside after a couple of days. If you feel that your post-surgery condition does not improve after this time, return to the clinic to discuss it with your dentist; however, it’s unlikely that you will suffer any real side-effects as a result of having Lumineers fitted.

How long will Lumineers2 last?

Thanks to significant improvements in dental technology, patients can now hope to have their flawless veneers for decades to come; where traditional porcelain designs can last ten years, with good care, Lumineers are so durable they can last for twenty years, whilst remaining in perfect condition. You should also receive a warranty from the Cerinate company when you return for the fitting, to put your mind at ease over replacements or necessary adjustments – but you should be aware that some restrictions do apply.

Can I have Lumineers2 placed over my crooked teeth?

For severe malocclusions, you will have to undergo some type of orthodontic treatment before you can have veneers fitted – even Lumineers can’t disguise extremely crooked or misaligned teeth. However, if you only have slight crowding, it may be possible to shave some areas away from the teeth and cover them up with veneers, your dentist might recommend braces instead, but Lumineers can be used if you don’t have the time (or the patience) to go through lengthy orthodontic treatment. You should consider all your options before deciding on a course of action, and always take your dentists advice into account in these situations, they are trained and qualified to provide you with the best service possible, and they know what they’re talking about.