Even though veneers and lumineers are used to treat almost the same issues in the teeth, there are some major differences between both the cosmetic restorative options. The former is more invasive and permanently bonded to the teeth, while the latter is minimally invasive and a semi-permanent procedure.
Are you considering using veneers or lumineers? At TruCare Dentistry, we have the right expertise and experience of providing the right cosmetic dentistry treatment as per your needs. If you are confused about whether to choose veneers or lumineers, then this blog is just for you. Here, we have discussed the seven key differences between veneers and lumineers. Read on to gain more insights.
1. Stain resistance
With a glazed appearance and durable design, veneers closely resemble teeth’s design with natural enamel. But veneers are extremely non-porous, which makes them highly resistant to staining and extremely suitable for severely stained and damaged teeth. They are also suitable for browned or yellowed teeth. The edges of veneers, however, may stain after five or more years.
Lumineers aren’t resistant to staining and aren’t as effective at hiding damaged or stained teeth. The composite resin cement that’s used to bond the lumineers to the teeth can stain over time. Lumineers are not recommended for severely damaged or discolored teeth. If you want a highly stain-resistant option, then veneers are the right choice for you.
2. Longevity
On average, veneers last between ten and fifteen years. They have a high success rate of up to twenty years. They can last more than that when good care is taken. As per a study, the average survival rate of veneers stood at 97.5 percent.
Lumineers have a marginally lower lifespan compared to veneers. As per some reliable sources, Lumineers have a lifespan of up to ten years. There are only a few continuing researches on the longevity of lumineers. If you want a long-lasting alternative, veneers are suitable for you.
3. Opacity
Traditional veneers are made from high-quality porcelain and are highly opaque. That makes them extremely effective in hiding tooth discoloration and decay. The high opacity of veneer plays a crucial role in stain resistance.
Being thinner compared to veneers, Lumineers are more translucent, which makes them unsuitable for people with discolored and decayed teeth.
4. Thickness
Veneers are much thicker compared to lumineers. The thickness of an average porcelain veneer is nearly 0.5 mm. Some veneers are thicker than that as the materials such as porcelain also play a huge role in determining the thickness.
Lumineers are thinner and the average thickness is just around 0.2 mm, which is almost as thin as a contact lens.
5. Permanence
Veneers are permanent, which means that after getting veneers there is no going back. This is both a merit and a demerit. It’s an advantage when you don’t need constant alterations to your tooth. However, veneers compromise tooth enamel and increase the risk of developing gum diseases. Veneers make it difficult for you to reach your gum line at the time of brushing or cleaning. But when damaged or cracked, veneers need to be replaced.
Lumineers are semi-permanent and can be removed from the teeth without a lot of damage. Even though Lumineers don’t compromise tooth enamel like veneers, they still raise the risk for gum diseases. Like veneers, Lumineers make it difficult to reach the gum line.
6. Preparation and application procedure
Applying veneers to the teeth is a complex, customized, and multistep process. In the first appointment, a dentist will prep, or trim, the teeth enamel and make a mold of the specific teeth so that the veneers fit the teeth perfectly. Veneers take anywhere between two and four weeks to be created from the mold. Till the permanent veneers are ready, the dentist will apply temporary acrylic veneers and will replace them with the former by using a special bonding solution.
Unlike veneers, the application process of Lumineers is shorter and much less complicated. Here a dentist doesn’t need to shape the teeth to fit the Lumineers. But they create a mold by taking an impression of the teeth and taking about two to four weeks to create Lumineers from the mold. In this, a dentist does not give temporary Lumineers till the custom-made ones are ready.
7. Cost
Veneers are more expensive than Lumineers as they need lengthy preparation work and the process is much more complicated. Also, veneers are made from robust materials that last longer and are denser and thicker, which enables them to hide stains and damage to the teeth. The average cost of veneers ranges from $925 to $2,500 per tooth.
On average, lumineers carry a price tag from $800 to $2,000 per tooth, which is 18.25 to 25 percent less expensive than veneers. However, as both the procedures come under the umbrella of cosmetic dentistry they are not covered under dental insurance.
Finally, it may be concluded
Even though veneers and lumineers are used for almost the same cosmetic dentistry treatments and dental problems, they differ from each other in various aspects. If you are looking for a permanent solution to hide tooth discoloration and decay, then veneers are the right solution for you. But if you don’t want to make permanent changes to your teeth and enamel and want a less complicated cosmetic dentistry procedure then lumineers are best for you. If you are looking for cosmetic dentistry treatments, feel free to contact TruCare Dentistry or schedule an appointment today.