Porcelain Veneers vs Lumineers

            Many people confuse Porcelain Veneers and Lumineers because they have so many similarities.  Fundamentally,  both are made of thin, non-porous porcelain and are used to repair tooth imperfections, straighten and lengthen teeth, and conceal stained or discolored fillings at a comparable cost. So there is always the question, which one is right for you?

Porcelain veneers are the universal product in cosmetic dentistry to beautify a smile.  They usually require the removal of about .5mm of the original tooth structure followed by a thin, porcelain shell bonded to the tooth. This is the best choice for someone looking to close a wide gap between teeth,  wanting to make major (and minor) Smile Design changes and / or looking to straighten their teeth. Porcelain veneers are custom shaped, so there is flexibility in creating the perfect look for your smile makeover or full mouth restoration.

Lumineers are thinner than porcelain veneers and are only about the thickness of a contact lens. The original tooth structure is not trimmed at all in this process so Lumineers may feel bulkier than porcelain veneers and this makes them less flexible for many smile design needs.   Lumineers are best used where added bulk is not an issue, especially where teeth need to be made slightly bigger for the perfect smile.