Dental Lumineers

At Barsky DDS, we provide customized services that are tailored to our patients’ personal smile needs and concerns. That includes the way we approach comprehensive smile makeovers. No one treatment is right for everyone

Sometimes patients have discoloration or damage to the front of their teeth. Frequently such patients receive dental veneers, but, for many patients, they may need another option. That’s why the doctor offers several veneer options, including Minimal Prep Lumineers.

What are Dental Lumineers?

Dental Lumineers cover a multitude of aesthetic irregularities, making them an excellent choice of treatment during your smile makeover. With a lumineer, you can refrain from restoring the entire tooth – yet cover the surface of the tooth enamel that is visible when you talk or smile.

Dental Lumineers are similar to dental veneers in that they cover the front of the patient’s teeth, protecting them from further damage and presenting a perfect, white smile. Lumineers differ from traditional veneers in that they require little to no tooth preparation and are much thinner than traditional veneers. They can also be used instead of braces in certain instances.

How Lumineers Work

A lumineer is essentially a thin layer of material that is bonded over the front of the tooth, changing its appearance . As the doctor places several veneers side-by-side, he paints a picture that transforms the entire appearance of your smile. Each veneer is customized to reflect a certain size, shape, and color.

This allows the doctor to erase signs of teeth that appear

1. Crooked
2. Stained or discolored
3. Chipped
4. Worn
5. Uneven
6. Irregularly shaped

About Dental Veneers with Dr. Barsky

What are the Benefits of Dental Lumineers?

Dental Lumineers have a number of benefits, both for the patient, and as an option against traditional veneers.

Some of the ways patients benefit from Lumineers include:

• Straighter toothline
• Whiter, brighter smile
• Protection from cracks and chips expanding
• Reduced sensitivity and pain from temperature or sweets
• More confidence
• Elimination of gaps and awkward or uneven spacing

When compared to traditional veneers, Lumineers also have the following benefits:

• Thinner, so little or no removal of tooth material in order to make room for them, reducing shots and drilling
• More durable, lasting as many as 20 years. This is far longer than most dental veneers last
• Better at replicating the appearance of natural teeth

It is clear to see that patients stand to benefit tremendously from Lumineers. In addition to serving as a replacement for dental veneers, there are some instances where Lumineers can also replace braces. This lets patients get the straight, white teeth they want without having to go through the hassle and checkups of braces.

What Makes Lumineers Different?

Lumineers are thin dental veneers that are bonded directly to your natural tooth. This makes them different from conventional porcelain veneers, in that less tooth preparation is necessary. Not only does this make the process more efficient, it also allows them to be completely reversible if you choose at any time to have your Lumineers removed*.

Compared to traditional porcelain veneers, Lumineers are more conservative option. Rather than removing a thin surface layer of enamel, the doctor will gently condition it to open up the pores. This ensures a secure bond between the Lumineer and the healthy tooth surface. It is for this reason why Lumineers are often referred to “no prep veneers” or “minimal prep veneers.” They are much thinner, which eliminates* the appearance of a “bulky” looking smile after they are bonded over your teeth. No drilling is necessary.

The thinner design also plays a significant role in enhancing the aesthetics results of your treatment. Lumineers are semi translucent, which allows them to closely resemble the nature and appearance of natural enamel. The doctor will specify the exact shade, color and shape of each Lumineer, giving you a personalized treatment that appears as natural as possible.

Not only are Lumineers minimal prep in nature – but they also require fewer visits to Barsky DDS to complete. No temporary veneers are needed between the preparation and delivery appointments, because no significant adjustments are made to your natural teeth.

What You Can Expect From Lumineers

The doctor frequently recommends Lumineers for our patients who desire a natural, straighter looking smile with less overall treatment. The process is very straightforward and produces excellent results in just two or three visits with us. As he places each Lumineers veneer on individual teeth across your smile, you will see a dramatic transformation that appears right before your eyes.

If you lack the confidence that you need to smile in public, or start up conversations with your colleagues, then Lumineers can help to change that. Many of our patients find a new confidence that they have lacked for years – simply by using Lumineers to change their appearance.

Lumineers have been used for over three decades, and can last up to 20 years when properly cared for. You may want to consider having Lumineers made for your smile if you have experienced situations like:

• Feeling embarrassed when you smile around friends or family
• Having teeth that look crooked, but you don’t want to wear braces
• Experiencing darker colored teeth that do not respond well to whitening treatments
• Being unhappy with the shape and size of specific teeth
• Wanting a more conservative approach to veneer treatment

The number of veneers that you have placed will depend on your primary aesthetic concerns, but it is fairly common for our patients to have six to ten Lumineers across the upper or lower arch at one time.

Who is a Candidate for Dental Lumineers?

Anyone who is a candidate for dental veneers may be a candidate for Lumineers. This is especially true for patients who don’t want any tooth preparation that would be required for veneers, or patients who want a more durable solution for their smile restoration. Therefore, Lumineers are an option for anyone who has stains, discoloration, chips, or cracks on the front of their teeth.

The Dental Lumineers Process

At Barsky DDS, every smile makeover starts with a personalized consultation with the doctor in one of our private consultation suite. Together, you will discuss what concerns and goals you have for your smile. The doctor will thoroughly assess your teeth to determine whether or not Lumineers are appropriate to address those concerns – and if not, suggest another method of cosmetic dental treatment that would be.

If Lumineers are the best option, the doctor will work with you to design how you want your new smile to look. From the shape and size of specific teeth to changing the color of your new smile – no detail is left out.

Dental Lumineers require two office visits for the process to be completed.

1. After the consultation and treatment plan has been set, the first step is your “prep” visit. The doctor will lightly condition your teeth, the patient’s teeth will be cast to create a precision mold and sent to our lab. Dr. Barsky will help the patient determine the appropriate shade of Lumineers to most closely match the patient’s natural tooth color, and this information will be used to craft a custom set of Lumineers perfect for that individual patient. There is no need for any anesthesia, because no drilling or significant tooth alteration is necessary.
2. A couple of weeks later you will return for a second visit, Dr. Barsky will bond each of the patient’s custom Lumineers veneer into place. Tooth by tooth, your new smile begins to make an appearance. The installation process does not involve any shots or drilling, and can be completed painlessly in about an hour. Once the procedure is complete the Lumineers are ready to go out into the world with their new enhanced smile.

Meet Dental Lumineer Expert and Board Certified Prosthodontist, Dr. Todd Barsky.

How are Dental Lumineers Maintained?

Patients can treat Dental Lumineers like they would their natural teeth. They should be brushed and flossed regularly to keep them clean and avoid infection and gum disease, and patients should continue to see the dentist every six months for regular dental cleanings to ensure they maintain optimal oral health. Regular checkups can also help ensure that there are no complications and that the Lumineers are still properly attached.

Patients also have the option of having Lumineers removed if they want or need to pursue other dental procedures or no longer wish to have dental Lumineers. It is important to note that Lumineers are solidly bonded to a patient’s teeth, and so can only be removed by a trained oral health professional and should only be done on the advice of or in consultation with the appropriate professionals.

What is a Prosthodontist?

What are the Benefits of Seeing a Prosthodontist for Dental Lumineers?

Prosthodontists have additional training and experience beyond the four years of standard dentistry school. This includes three years closely monitored at a series of intensive residencies and two additional years of certification.

Prosthodontist training specializes in the appearance of teeth and smiles as well as ensure a patient’s oral health. As a result, they are uniquely qualified to perform procedures that require aesthetic as well as health specializations.

This combination of specialties, skills, and experiences make prosthodontists especially suited to helping patients decide if Lumineers are the right choice for them, and ensuring that they are installed in a way that achieves optimal results.

Should I Get Dental Lumineers?

If you have stained, discolored, cracked, or chipped teeth, or have been told that you should get dental veneers, then you should consider Lumineers. It can be difficult to determine what the best procedure is for a given patient. As a board-certified prosthodontist, Dr. Barsky can help you determine if Lumineers are the right option for you.

Enjoy the Stress Free Process at Barsky DDS

Our team of care coordinators will personally guide you through your entire Lumineers treatment, so that you are never confused about what comes next.