Veneers vs Lumineers: Which One To Get The Smile of Your Dreams?

When searching for ways to get a white, straighter, and more confident Hollywood smile, you will inevitably encounter the question of veneers vs Lumineers. Both options can be beneficial for covering staining and damage, but there are some significant differences to be aware of before making a cosmetic dentistry decision.

Since both traditional veneers and Lumineers offer unique pros and cons, it is helpful to compare them to determine which option best suits your needs and dental goals.

What Are Veneers and What Teeth Problems Can They Fix?

Traditional porcelain veneers attach to the enamel on the surface of your teeth. By covering natural teeth, they can perfect the appearance of your smile. Additionally, Veneers can be tinted and shaped to match your natural teeth to help you achieve a perfect smile.

Porcelain dental veneers can fix lots of dental problems including:

• Crooked teeth
• Gaps and spacing between natural teeth
• Misshaped teeth or teeth that look too small
• Stained teeth, including those that don't respond to teeth whitening
• Damaged, cracked, or chipped teeth
• Uneven, crooked, or misaligned teeth
• Teeth with worn-out enamel

What Are Lumineers and What Are Veneers Teeth?

The differences between veneers vs Lumineers are simple but can make a massive difference in the preferred option for your oral health.

Lumineers are a brand of veneer made by DenMat dental laboratory and offered by many dentists around the country. Compared with other types of veneers, Lumineers are more affordable, thinner, faster, and non-permanent.

Lumineers are about half the width of traditional veneers at .3 mm compared to .5 mm. Because of this, the Lumineers procedure will not require your cosmetic dentist to make room for each veneer by removing some of the natural tooth enamel.

With traditional veneer options, the grinding down of the tooth means that you will always need a cover of some variety for that tooth, whether it is a veneer, dental crown, or composite covering. With Lumineers, the procedure is reversible because the natural tooth is not adjusted or shaved.

This simplified procedure is one of the reasons why Lumineers are more affordable and faster to apply. While the temporary nature of Lumineers probably sounds great with several benefits, there are other factors to consider.

Lumineers may look and feel natural, but the thinner width and ceramic material are more translucent and may not cover up discoloration, cracks, chips, and other damage. In addition, they are unlikely to last as long as conventional veneers. In fact, they may not last longer than 10 years in some cases.

Lumineers vs Veneers Pros and Cons

To easily compare porcelain dental veneers and Lumineers and decide which option is the best choice for your smile, it is a good idea to look at the pros and cons of each. Weighing the benefits and downsides can help you determine which option to speak to your veneer dentist about the next time you visit.

One of the main reasons some people choose one over the other is the overall cost of the procedure. In general, you can expect to pay somewhere between $1,000 and $2,500 per tooth for traditional porcelain veneers, but you may pay less if you are getting veneers placed on multiple teeth. Lumineers usually cost between $800 and $2,500 per tooth.

Therefore, while Lumineers may be cheaper overall for the initial procedure, the difference isn't huge, especially when you factor in other pros and cons, especially the appearance, durability, and lifespan.

Traditional Porcelain Veneers Pros

• Long-lasting with a lifespan of 10 to 20 years or longer with exceptional oral health care
• Opaque and can hide more severe teeth problems and discoloration
• Thicker, more durable, and less likely to become damaged
• Cost-effective because of longer lifespan and possible discounts

Traditional Veneers Cons:

• Permanent
• Longer procedures requiring 2-3 visits

Lumineers Pros

• No preparation needed
• Semipermanent (removable with minimal enamel damage)
• May have a cheaper upfront cost, especially for single tooth procedures

Lumineers Cons

• Don't last as long
• May not hide dark stains or tooth cracks

Which Should You Get? Porcelain Veneers or Lumineers?

There is not a single better option when comparing porcelain veneers with Lumineers and it depends on your goals, the condition of your teeth, your budget, and other factors.

However, when comparing the two options, keep in mind that veneers offer a long-term solution that may end up being more cost-effective in the long run. While Lumineers can look great with translucence to mimic natural teeth, most people aren't looking for a temporary solution that may wear out and need to be replaced sooner than if you had porcelain veneers.

For this reason, we recommend porcelain veneers in most situations. Still, it is best to speak with an experienced veneer dentist because every situation is different.

Find Out If You're A Good Candidate For Dental Veneers

Now that you know the major differences when it comes to veneers vs Lumineers you are probably wondering if you are a candidate for dental veneers. Veneers can upgrade your quality of life and you can smile with the confidence you deserve. That's why so many celebrities use veneers to achieve the Hollywood smiles that you see in the movies. Plus, they can be fitted to your specific facial shape, mouth size, and other aspects of your appearance so that they look naturally charming.

If you're considering veneers and want to find out if they are right for you and which veneer option is best for you, then Dr. Catrise Austin can help!

To get started with enhancing your smile for greater confidence, schedule a free online veneer consultation with Dr. Austin today!