Lumineers are made of thin sheets of porcelain that can be bonded on the front side of teeth. These are routinely used by dentists to teeth that are stained or discolored, teeth that are worn, chipped, or misaligned and can also be used as an alternative to orthodontic treatment. Lumineers are used is a variety of cases by dentists. Teeth can decay due to age, and this decay can cause teeth to chip, crack or give an uneven look. Spacing which is uneven can also be caused due to a genetic condition and as one grows older this spacing between the teeth grows wider.

There are many advantages of using lumineers, one being they can help achieve good looks while requiring minimal dental work. Lumineers are used to change the look of the surface of ones teeth or give the teeth good looking alignment. Patients that have severe crooked teeth may have to go in for a combination of lumineers and a trip to the orthodontist to give their teeth a nice healthy look. Lumineers can be applied in a short time with just a few visits to the dentist’s office. Lumineers are becoming popular today as they give the tooth enamel a new and natural feeling. Lumineers are stain resistant and have a long life, lasting up to 15 years.

Using lumineers may not always be a good idea. If a patient has teeth that are mildly discolored or chipped then their dentist may suggest whitening and orthodontic alignment instead of lumineers which will require shaping of the teeth with shells that are custom designed. Lumineers remove tooth enamel that may damage the teeth and make a patients teeth sensitive to hot and cold beverages and food.

If a patient has decided that a lumineer treatment is for them, they should check with their cosmetic dentist to make sure their teeth are not too thick, as the lumineer may stick out. The dentist should make sure that you are biting the lumineer with less force or it may be chipped. In some instances when a patient is getting their teeth straightened their dentist may need to remove other teeth to perform the surgery. This may cause trauma, therefore the patient should discuss the amount of teeth that may need to be removed with their doctor prior to surgery.