Q: What are the pros and cons of Lumineers vs. porcelain veneers?

Pros of Lumineers Your teeth may not need to be shaved prior to application, which reduces pain and the risk of complications like tooth sensitivity. Like traditional veneers, Lumineers can cover only the teeth that bother you. Both traditional veneers and Lumineers come in a wide variety of shades, so your dentist can match your neighboring teeth or give your new teeth a natural appearance. Veneers of all kinds have become “ one of the most predictable, most aesthetic, and least invasive ” smile makeover options. People who have Lumineers have reported an increase in self-confidence and self-esteem. They can easily cover old crowns or dental bridges to revitalize old dental work. Cons Results can look bulkier and less natural than porcelain veneers. They create a small ledge at the gumline that can trap plaque and lead to gum disease. Lumineers can hide a lot, but they can’t completely cover a major underlying issue like damage to the tooth structure or severe discoloration. Very crooked teeth will first need to be straightened by braces or clear aligners like Invisalign . Both Lumineers and traditional porcelain veneers can’t be removed without damaging your teeth. “Once the lumineer is bonded to enamel, it is nearly impossible to take them off without needing to recover the surface,” says Dr. Davidowitz.

Question 1

What are Lumineers?

Accepted Answer

Lumineers are a popular brand of veneers that dentists use to disguise chips, gaps, discoloration, crooked teeth, and other imperfections, to create a more beautiful smile. Made of Cerinate porcelain that's bonded to the front of your existing teeth, Lumineers veneers are thinner and more translucent than traditional porcelain veneers. The painless application procedure typically takes two visits to a certified Lumineers dentist, in some cases with no drilling or injections.

The procedure can require less advanced prep work than porcelain veneers, which is why their marketing calls them “No Prep Veneers.” However, Pittsburgh dentist Dr. Andy Shieh cautions patients, “Don’t believe the ads on Lumineers as ‘no prep.’ Yes, there are cases that shouldn’t require any prep, but the majority will require some.”

Dr. Steven Davidowitz, a cosmetic dentist in New York City, clarifies that “The goal of Lumineers is to be no prep to minimal preparation, which means less shaving of teeth prior to application.” But he says it’s false to assume that teeth always need to be shaved before traditional veneers are applied. “It all comes down to case by case basis. The same patients that are candidates for no-prep Lumineers can be candidates for no-prep traditional veneers.”

Most RealSelf members say their Lumineers are “Worth It,” but some dentists on RealSelf prefer traditional veneers. “Lumineers can appear bulkier, and I believe they don’t provide the beautiful natural translucency toward the bottom of the tooth that porcelain veneers [or natural teeth] do,” says Dr. Charles Nottingham, a dentist in Deerfield Beach, Florida.

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of Lumineers vs. porcelain veneers?

Accepted Answer

Pros of Lumineers

Your teeth may not need to be shaved prior to application, which reduces pain and the risk of complications like tooth sensitivity.
Like traditional veneers, Lumineers can cover only the teeth that bother you.
Both traditional veneers and Lumineers come in a wide variety of shades, so your dentist can match your neighboring teeth or give your new teeth a natural appearance.
Veneers of all kinds have become “one of the most predictable, most aesthetic, and least invasive” smile makeover options.
People who have Lumineers have reported an increase in self-confidence and self-esteem.
They can easily cover old crowns or dental bridges to revitalize old dental work.

Cons

Results can look bulkier and less natural than porcelain veneers.
They create a small ledge at the gumline that can trap plaque and lead to gum disease.
Lumineers can hide a lot, but they can’t completely cover a major underlying issue like damage to the tooth structure or severe discoloration. Very crooked teeth will first need to be straightened by braces or clear aligners like Invisalign.
Both Lumineers and traditional porcelain veneers can’t be removed without damaging your teeth. “Once the lumineer is bonded to enamel, it is nearly impossible to take them off without needing to recover the surface,” says Dr. Davidowitz.

Question 3

How much do Lumineers cost?

Accepted Answer

Your cost will depend on how many teeth you’re having done, how much your provider charges per tooth, their level of experience, and their practice location.

Dental insurance typically doesn’t cover elective cosmetic treatments, but call your plan provider to see if you have coverage for veneers. You can also finance cosmetic dentistry procedures through CareCredit.

See our complete guide to Lumineers costs

Question 4

Lumineers before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

The Lumineers photos in our gallery have been shared by the provider who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Question 5

Who makes a good candidate for Lumineers?

Accepted Answer

Who makes a good candidate for Lumineers?

Patients over age 18 who don’t have gum disease, missing teeth, large gaps between teeth, or crooked teeth could be good candidates for Lumineers. The issues they hide most effectively include chips or cracks, small gaps, and stains. Because Lumineers add volume, the people who tend to get the best results have small teeth that could benefit from being larger, according to Austin, Texas dentist Dr. Tejas Patel.

If you bite your nails or grind your teeth at night, you may want to consider options other than veneers, which could crack or break.

Question 6

Are Lumineers safe?

Accepted Answer

Are Lumineers safe?

Lumineers are considered safe, but they come with some risks. These include an altered bite, gum irritation that can lead to gum disease, cracking or chipping, falling off, and tooth sensitivity. People who get Lumineers on some teeth but not others may find that the color doesn’t match well.

Going to an experienced dentist who’s been certified in providing Lumineers should prevent a lot of these issues, says Dr. Victoria Veytsman, a dentist in New York City.

Question 7

How should you prepare for the application procedure?

Accepted Answer

There isn’t much needed to prepare for Lumineers if your teeth are small and flat. However, some dentists may recommend a gingivoplasty, a procedure that sculpts the gums to look better with your new teeth. If you get this procedure done, you’ll need to wait 45 days for your gums to heal before the Lumineers application process.

Your dentist may also do a cleaning or light etching and sanding to contour your teeth. Then they'll make a mold of your teeth and send it to the DenMat dental laboratory, where your custom Lumineers will be created.

Some dentists offer an optional visit to preview your new smile. They place a temporary adhesive acrylic veneer, also known as a “trial smile,” on your teeth to show you what your Lumineers will look like. This is a chance to make modifications.

Question 8

What happens during Lumineers application?

Accepted Answer

The application process itself isn’t painful, so in some cases you won’t need any shots of novocaine, gas, or anesthesia.

First, your dentist will make sure the Lumineers fit your teeth before etching and preparing for placement on your teeth, this includes checking your bite so there’s no chance of chipping while you talk or chew. Then, your dentist will apply adhesive before placing and bonding each Lumineer, one at a time. Once the adhesive sets, they’ll remove excess cement and your veneers will be polished. The process is very quick, taking one to two hours depending on how many teeth will be covered. You shouldn’t need to use ice, gauze, or painkillers.

Question 9

What can you expect afterward?

Accepted Answer

Results are immediate, and you shouldn’t need any downtime or missed days of work.

You can expect some minor gum soreness and redness for up to three weeks after your Lumineers are applied. Dr. Shieh says that constant gum bleeding isn’t common so alert your dentist if that happens to you, or if you experience prolonged gum inflammation.

You might also have some tooth sensitivity, especially to cold foods and drinks, for up to a year (this is true of traditional veneers as well).

Question 10

Are Lumineers permanent?

Accepted Answer

Dentists on RealSelf say Lumineers should last about 20 years, but their longevity hasn’t been confirmed by studies. Traditional veneers typically last 10–30 years, depending on how well patients care for them.

Your dentist will likely be able to adjust or repair a Lumineer that develops a small crack, chip, or break. A large break or crack will require complete replacement, at your expense.

If one of your Lumineers falls off but is still completely intact, your dentist will be able to bond it back onto your tooth.

Question 11

How should you care for your Lumineer veneers?

Accepted Answer

It’s important to take good care of your new smile to prevent cracking, breaking, of loss of the veneer itself. “Be gentle with them. That means no chewing ice, biting your fingernails, or opening packages or bottles with your teeth,” says Dr. Shieh. “Brush and floss regularly and see your Lumineers dentist for a checkup at least once a year.”

Lumineers are stain-resistant, so they won’t get discolored by food or drink over time, but studies show you should quit smoking to prevent discoloration.

Dr. Scott Greenhalgh, a dentist in Lakewood, Colorado, also advises his patients to wear a night guard to protect against bruxism (teeth grinding).

Question 12

Lumineers vs. porcelain veneers: what’s the difference?

Accepted Answer

The primary difference between Lumineers and traditional porcelain veneers is that they can be made significantly thinner (about as thick as a contact lens and half as thick as traditional veneers), so your natural teeth may not need to be shaved down before the Lumineers are attached. This can make the application process faster, easier, and more comfortable. However, it can also lead to the bulky look some dentists see as unnatural.

Other dentists believe the big difference is durability. Dr. Shieh says, “I prefer Lumineers over traditional veneers because the type of material that’s now being used—lithium disilicate—is stronger and more durable than traditional porcelain and glass veneers.”

Question 13

What are the alternatives to Lumineers?

Accepted Answer

Professional teeth whitening can significantly brighten stained teeth, but you'll need a more serious solution to hide or fix tooth structure damage or deep discoloration.

Porcelain veneers have a translucence that makes them look very similar to natural teeth. They can last up to 20 years.
Dental bonding: Composite resin (a tooth-colored material) bonding can correct chipped, discolored, or broken teeth, as well as spacing issues. Bonding is less expensive than Lumineers and traditional veneers, and it requires just one visit to the dentist. The downside: Bonded teeth aren’t stain-resistant and last only three to five years—nowhere near as long as Lumineers and veneers. “Also, the shape of the teeth tends to be much better with veneers than with bonding and likewise, the color of the teeth is much better and more stable over time, says Laguna Niguel, California, dentist Dr. Norman Huefner.
Dental crowns: If a tooth is decayed or cracked and needs to be completely replaced, your dentist will likely recommend a crown. These protective coverings are made of either ceramic, metal, or a combination of both materials. The dentist will first remove the decayed area of your tooth and then make an impression that will be used to create a crown.

Question 14

Sources & studies

Accepted Answer

Morita R. K., Hayashida M. F., and Betiol E. A. G., Minimally Invasive Laminate Veneers: Clinical Aspects in Treatment Planning and Cementation Procedures (2016)

Collins, K. Do Lumineers Really Last 20 Years? (2013)

Beier U.S., Kapferer I., Burtscher D., and Dumfahrt H., Clinical performance of porcelain laminate veneers for up to 20 years (2012)

Pini N., Aguiar F., and Pascotto R., Advances in dental veneers: materials, applications, and techniques (2012)

LUMINEERS

Steven Davidowitz, DDS

Lesley Rotchford

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Steven Davidowitz, DDS

Lesley Rotchford

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