Porcelain Veneers and Lumineers

What is a Veneer ?

Veneers are ultrathin porcelain laminates which can change an entire smile. A Veneer is as thin as 0.2 mm.

Porcelain laminate veneers are probably the most esthetic means of creating a more pleasing and beautiful smile. They require a minimal amount of tooth reduction (approximately 0.3 mm ) and are, therefore, a more conservative restoration than a crown(cap). Porcelain veneers allow us to alter tooth position, shape, size and color. They are not the only alternative for all esthetic abnormalities but are truly a remarkable restoration when they are the treatment of choice. This is why they are often referred to as “instant Orthodontics”. This means you can alter your teeth within two weeks instead of waiting two years with conventional braces! This is a revolution is modern Dentistry!

We at Beverly Hills Dental Group do not use mercury (silver fillings) at ALL!!

Lumineers :

I started doing Lumineers Veneers in 2001, long before their marketing efforts made them popular and selective dentists are now choosing to join the philosophy. The concept is that these veneers are made from a special porcelain material which allows the dentist to place these veneers with no or almost no preparation. That mean the tooth is virtually untouched. It does not necessitate the use of a local anesthetic.

The laboratory time required for the fabrication of a porcelain laminate veneer is approximately two weeks. Due to the minimal or no amount of tooth reduction, it is usually not necessary to fabricate any type of temporary restoration. Should a temporary be needed, they can, in most circumstances, be made at the time of treatment.

Six Veneers on a model from our world class dental lab. Note the beautiful polished surface, the very natural translucency at the tip of the tooth and the overall very natural looking appearance. A lot of experience, knowledge, art, craftsmanship and creativity go into creating such beautiful smiles. When it comes to porcelain Veneers, there are two very different views: The preparation and the no preparation veneers, also known as Lumineers. ™

The traditional preparation veneers usually requires 0.8 -1 mm of reduction of the front tooth surface in contrast to the no preparation (no cutting, no filing of tooth structure) Veneers such as Lumineers™

The difference lies however in the detail. No preparation veneers are not suitable for everyone. It depends on your situation, your current bite, your occlusion and the current shape and form of your own teeth. Over the years I have learned from world class dentists and pioneers in the US and Europe that a more conservative approach, a very minimal preparation technique, can achieve very beautiful results. This requires a perfect harmony between the dentist and his laboratory. Therefore a dentist can avoid gross reduction of tooth structure (enamel and dentin) and protect the underlying nerve.

If experienced in all three categories, the no preparation, conventionally preparation and the very minimally preparation veneer technique, a dentist can give you the most informed consent available to your benefit.

All the veneers on this page were done in our office. Please come and visit us so we can show you many more before and after pictures in our office.

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