Porcelain Veneers vs Lumineers: Pros and Cons

Are you looking to improve your smile or protect your teeth using veneers?

Whatever the reason you’re seeking veneer treatment, there’s plenty you should know, including what the procedure will involve and how veneers can brighten and whiten your smile.

The truth is that Lumineers™ are now a popular alternative treatment to traditional-style porcelain veneers. Lumineers™ brand veneers differ in many ways and we’re here to help you understand the real difference between them and standard veneers.

The experts at The London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry ask which is better, veneers vs Lumineers? 

Veneers are a cosmetic coating made of porcelain that covers your natural teeth, designed to improve your smile by making your teeth appear whiter and straighter. 

To help them be more durable, porcelain veneers are usually made from porcelain or resin composite materials, which have a longer application process, normally completed in 3 appointments. 

This brings many benefits for the patient, however, including: 

• Protecting the teeth from damage
• Having good resistance to staining
• Looking more natural as they share the same optic properties as natural teeth

Lumineers™, on the other hand, is a specific brand of veneers noted for their thinness and more economical price tag – making them the ideal option for those looking for veneers on a lower budget.

They are made of Cerinate porcelain and are significantly more translucent, too.

Do Lumineers damage your teeth?

Quite the opposite!

While veneers overall are designed to be less invasive than crowns (sometimes called caps) or dental implants, to help them adhere to the teeth, some enamel needs to be removed in the preparation stage. 

Porcelain veneers require more of the tooth’s material to be removed, but no-prep veneers, like Lumineers™, need less tooth preparation and enamel removal. 

This makes the application process for Lumineers™ faster when compared to traditional veneers, but as you might expect this trade-off means that each veneer type comes with a range of pros and cons to consider. 

Are Lumineers™ better than veneers?

To help you decide which is better for you, let’s compare the pros and cons of Lumineers™ or porcelain veneers.

Pros of veneers

• They are better for severely discoloured teeth

Porcelain veneers are slightly thicker than Lumineers™ and have a whiter and brighter appearance. As a result, they are the better option for patients with severely discoloured teeth.

• Natural appearance

The majority of patients agree that traditional porcelain veneers look more realistic and natural.

Cons of veneers

• Permanent

Veneers are an irreversible fix because the enamel of the tooth has to be ground away. This also means that patients will need to continue to get porcelain veneers once they get their first set. 

• More expensive and longer procedure

Due to the additional prep work, porcelain veneers are usually more expensive and the procedure takes more time.

• You have to wear temporary veneers

Patients need to wear temporary acrylic veneers whilst your custom veneers are created, which can be an inconvenience.

• Risk of nerve damage

If placed by a less-experienced dental professional, the grinding procedure can cause damage to the teeth and their nerve endings.

Pros of Lumineers™

• No enamel grinding required

No prep work is needed to fix them onto your natural teeth, which means there is no permanent enamel loss and you don’t need to wear temporary veneers. 

• Less expensive and faster procedure

Lumineers™ are more affordable because there is no extra prep work involved and the procedure timeline is typically faster.

• Semi-permanent

Lumineers are a reversible procedure, so you can have them removed at a later date if you need to.

Cons of Lumineers™

• Not suitable for severely discoloured teeth

Due to being more translucent, Lumineers™ are not suitable for severely discoloured teeth.

• Increased risk of gum disease

Lumineers can often look and feel bulkier than traditional veneers and make it harder to clean around your gum line. As a result, Lumineers™ may increase the risk of developing gum disease.

• Less natural look

Unlike porcelain veneers, which can be matched well to your tooth’s natural colour, Lumineers™ can sometimes look less natural.

Veneers vs Lumineers™: how much will it cost?

Considered a cosmetic treatment, the cost of your veneers or Lumineers™ will differ depending on multiple factors, including the cosmetic dentist you visit and your individual treatment needs. 

For this reason, it is important to understand that a reputable dental professional will need to talk to you and examine your teeth at a consultation before they can give you a bespoke, no-obligation quote.  

Veneers

Porcelain veneers are generally considered a better investment in the long run because they are a permanent fix. Plus, they can last anywhere from 8 to 20 years, depending on how well you look after them.

Lumineers™

Lumineers™ are notably less expensive than veneers because the procedure takes less time and requires fewer visits to the dentist. 

Lumineers can also typically last as long as traditional porcelain veneers with proper care and maintenance – Lumineer manufacturers even claim they can last up to 20 years!

To find the exact cost of your veneer treatment, book your consultation with us here today at LCCD!

Veneers vs. Lumineers™: what’s the process?

One of the biggest reasons why patients sometimes choose Lumineers™ over traditional veneers is because the application process is significantly shorter and less intensive.

Veneers

There are numerous steps to the application of porcelain veneers and the treatment timeline will generally include three appointments. 

It starts with a consultation with your cosmetic dentist, who will discuss what you feel your dental issues are and what type of smile you are seeking.

The dentist will check your oral health with a visual examination and suggest the best treatment for you – taking into account any preferences you might have.

Finally, we’ll then take a 3D scan of your teeth and send the impressions off to our chosen laboratory to craft your custom porcelain veneers, which will be shaped and sized to your mouth’s specifications. 

At your second appointment, we’ll then grind down a thin layer (roughly 2mm) of your teeth’s outer enamel surface to ensure the veneers can fit properly onto your teeth.

Once complete, you’ll be given a set of temporary acrylic veneers to wear whilst you wait up to 4 weeks for your porcelain veneers to arrive. 

At your final appointment, your dentist will fix your beautiful, custom porcelain veneers onto your natural teeth using a bonding solution.

Once in place, you’ll be given clear aftercare instructions and you can leave with your new smile! 

Lumineers™

Unlike traditional veneers, Lumineers™ do not require any prep work, including the grinding down of your teeth’s outer enamel layer.

Instead, you’ll likely only have 2 appointments in total – the first being so your dentist can make the mould of your mouth and the second being around 4 weeks later when your new Lumineers™ can be fixed and applied.

Since the enamel is not touched, you won’t need to wear temporary acrylic veneers whilst you wait for your custom Lumineers™ to be made and can live normally from day to day until they are ready.

Contact LCCD for porcelain veneers and Lumineers

Ultimately, whether you choose porcelain veneers or Lumineers™, the decision is down to you and your individual needs.

Here at The London Centre for Cosmetic Dentistry, we offer smile makeovers in London which include a range of treatments, including veneers. 

This, and the belief that you should be made fully aware of everything you need to know about veneers and Lumineers™ before booking your consultation with us, means you will always be supported to make an informed decision about your care. 

Leading to stunning, self-esteem-boosting results for every patient who comes to see us. 

To book a consultation with one of our experts, give us a call at 0207 722 1235 or fill in our enquiry form and we’ll get back to you to arrange an appointment that suits you best.