Lumineers© is a proprietary (patented) veneer technique that requires little or no alteration of the teeth. The procedure rarely requires anesthesia. Although not for everyone, the Lumineer technique is a minimally invasive way to beautiful your smile. For more information go to www.lumineers.com.
This procedure will require three appointments:
You will want to take an active role in planning your smile design. We will review the corrective limitations of this procedure and help you plan your new smile. With larger or more complex cases we fabricate a diagnostic wax-up. This is a “mock-up” that we will share with you to assist us in designing your new smile.
The second appointment will take one to two hours. Although the porcelain veneer is very thin, the teeth may be slightly modified to allow for the creation of proper anatomy and to achieve the design outlined in the Diagnosis and Treatment Planning phase. This procedure usually requires little or no local anesthesia.
Once any necessary modifications are made to the teeth, an impression is taken of the teeth and sent to the lab for fabrication according to our specific prescription. In some cases, temporary veneers will be placed at this time. The permanent veneers should be ready in approximately two weeks.
At the time of your third appointment, the doctor will first place the veneer on your teeth with water or glycerin to check the fit and color. At this point, the color of the veneer can still be adjusted by the shade of the cement used to adhere it. Once the correct shade is determined and the veneer is ready to be applied, the tooth is cleaned with materials that condition the surface to receive the bonding cement. This special cement is placed between the teeth and the veneer and a high intensity visible light beam is used to harden the cement. This appointment takes approximately one to two hours.
Brush and floss daily. Return for a follow-up visit after one to two weeks.
Brush and floss as you normally would. Don’t be afraid that you will damage your veneers by doing so. Non-abrasive toothpaste is recommended. A good home care regimen will insure the best aesthetic success of your veneer.
You may experience some sensitivity to hot and cold after placement of your veneer. Sensitivity is totally normal and should dissipate in one to two weeks. If sensitivity persists, please call the office.
If you are aware of any harmful habits, such as, night-time clenching or grinding (bruxism), please be sure to let us know. We may recommend a nightguard for you to wear to minimize stress placed upon your teeth while you sleep (provide a link here to our section on PROTECTING YOUR TEETH).
We hope that your new veneers fulfill your esthetic goal. With proper home care and scheduled visits, they are sure to provide you with a beautiful smile for years to come.