Although very few people have perfectly even and uniformly white teeth, the desire for a Hollywood-style smile is widespread. Such a smile can be achieved, for example, with the help of so-called Lumineers (thin ceramic veneers that are applied to the front surface of the teeth). In fact, the Lumineers technique was developed in Hollywood, California. The main goal of this development was the perfect Hollywood smile. Among actors and models, Lumineers are no longer a rarity.
If you, too, would like an irresistible Hollywood smile, we’d be happy to provide you with information about a customized Lumineers procedure at our dental practice in Zurich. You can find initial details here:
What are Lumineers?
The term “Lumineers” is a brand name for so-called “non-prep veneers” (i.e., a type of veneer or ceramic shell that can be applied to unprepared teeth). Unlike traditional veneers, the application of Lumineers therefore does not require (or requires only minimal removal of) natural tooth structure.
What are Lumineers used for?
Lumineers are wafer-thin (approximately 0.3 mm thick) ceramic shells that can be used, for example, to cosmetically correct small cracks in the enamel or chipped teeth. Tooth discoloration caused by food and/or natural aging processes—which cannot be sufficiently removed by procedures such as teeth whitening—can also be effectively and permanently concealed with Lumineers. By applying these thin ceramic shells, both tooth shape and alignment can be corrected. After expert application of Lumineers, patients enjoy aesthetically pleasing teeth that closely mimic the beauty of natural teeth.
The Application of Lumineers
To achieve a satisfactory treatment outcome, Lumineers are applied to the teeth requiring treatment at our dental clinic exclusively by certified dental professionals. Since a tooth does not need to be pretreated for Lumineer placement, our dentists apply the material directly to the tooth surface. The material can then be shaped as desired and allowed to cure. The application of Lumineers is completely painless for the patient.
Advantages of Lumineers
Depending on the individual’s desired duration of wear for a ceramic veneer, Lumineers can offer various advantages over conventional veneers. For example, if the ceramic veneer is to remain on a tooth for only a relatively short time, Lumineers can be removed relatively easily—and since, in most cases, no preparation of the tooth is required before applying Lumineers, the tooth can remain in the mouth without further treatment. If, on the other hand, traditional veneers or even dental crowns are to be removed, the exposed tooth usually requires follow-up treatment, since portions of the tooth were removed prior to the application of the veneers.
Although Lumineers can be removed relatively easily if desired, they have a long lifespan when left on the tooth—on average, the ceramic veneers remain intact without complications for up to 20 years. In addition, the high transparency of Lumineers ensures that the veneers are barely noticeable to others. Last but not least, this discreet appearance is also due to the fact that the color of the material used for Lumineers can be customized to match the patient’s natural teeth.
For more information about Lumineers or to schedule a consultation with our dentists in Zurich, please contact us.