04 May Can I get Lumineers instead of braces?
Your cosmetic dentist will address your questions in detail; your ultimate goal will help guide you to the treatment that will work best for you. While one option can be completed in weeks, the other is more long term, and can provide a solution that can last for a lifetime.
What are Lumineers?
Treatment with Lumineers is a reversible option involving affixing wafer thin veneers to the front of one or more teeth. Veneers are usually made with porcelain, and can hide many dental maladies including deep stain or discoloration; chipped enamel; uneven or misshapen teeth; and unwanted gaps between teeth.
With Lumineers, your dentist will take impressions of teeth to be treated; the dental lab will configure veneers in the size, shape, and shade of surrounding teeth so the result will produce a cosmetic enhancement that you can enjoy for years.
If you wish, veneers can be removed. Unlike many veneers, with Lumineers your cosmetic dentist does not need to remove any dental enamel allowing the process to be reversed.
Braces vs. Lumineers
With braces, the patient is having their teeth moved to correct a malocclusion. Treatment can take months or years depending on the severity of the oral condition. If a cosmetic enhancement is the primary goal, Lumineers can be completed in a couple of weeks.
Consideration should be given to address the oral health that each option provides. While Lumineers can enhance one’s appearance in a relatively short time, braces are designed to correct the bite to improve oral health for a lifetime.
When teeth are crooked or misshapen, pockets are created that allow plaque to easily build. That is because these areas are much more difficult to clean adequately. Veneers will not eliminate these areas of concern; over time braces will straighten teeth correcting the problems that can result in plaque buildup giving the patient the opportunity to keep teeth healthier between dental visits.
Plaque that is allowed to build on teeth can lead to dental decay and/or gum disease. Once plaque forms the only way to remove it is with a visit to the dentist.
Whether you opt for the quicker fix of Lumineers or the more long term solution of braces, maintaining oral health between dental visits requires daily brushing and flossing. Regularly scheduled dental visits with our team at Aesthetic Dental Partners are needed to maintain good oral health.