Dental Lumineers in Houston, TX
If you feel self-conscious about stained, chipped, or uneven teeth, there may be a more conservative option than you’d expect. Lumineers® are ultra-thin porcelain veneers that, in many cases, can be placed with little to no removal of your natural enamel. At New Smiles Dental Implant Center, in Houston, TX, our dentists examine your teeth, talk through what you want to change, and give you an honest recommendation on whether Lumineers are the right solution.
What Are Dental Lumineers?
Lumineers® are a brand of porcelain veneers. A veneer is a thin shell, usually porcelain, bonded to the front of a tooth to change its color, shape, or size. They are thinner than traditional veneers, roughly the thickness of a contact lens. Because they’re so thin, many cases need little or no reshaping of the tooth first.
Some patients still need a small amount of enamel removed, and we’ll tell you at your exam what your teeth need.
How Do They Compare to Traditional Veneers?
The main differences come down to thickness and preparation.
Thickness. Dental Lumineers are thinner than traditional porcelain veneers.
Preparation. Traditional veneers usually need more enamel removed. Lumineers often need less.
Masking Dark Stains. Because Lumineers are thinner and more translucent, they may not fully cover deep discoloration. Traditional veneers can be better for that.
Long-Term Track Record. Traditional veneers have been around longer, so there’s more history to draw on.
We’ll recommend what fits your teeth and goals, even if that isn’t Lumineers.
What Can Lumineers® Help With?
Lumineers are a cosmetic treatment, and they tend to work best for:
Small chips or worn edges
Minor gaps between teeth
Slightly short or uneven teeth
Mild differences in tooth shape
Mild to moderate stains that don’t respond well to whitening
They aren’t a substitute for orthodontic treatment if your teeth are significantly crooked or crowded. If braces or clear aligners would give you a better result, we’ll say so. We offer both.
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Who May Not Be a Good Candidate
Lumineers aren't right for everyone. We may recommend a different option, or treatment first, if you have:
Active Decay or Gum Disease. These need to be treated before any cosmetic work.
Heavy Grinding or Clenching. Porcelain can chip under that kind of force. A nightguard may be part of the plan.
Teeth That Already Sit Forward or Look Bulky. A veneer adds a little thickness.
Deep Discoloration. A different type of veneer may hide it better.
Very Little Enamel Left. Bonding works best on healthy enamel.
What to Expect During Your Visits
We’ll go through your plan in detail at your appointment. In general, the process looks like this:
Consultation and Exam. We look at your teeth and gums, take X-rays, and ask what you’d like to change. Feel free to bring photos of smiles you like.
Planning. We talk through shade, shape, and how many teeth to treat. If you want a whiter shade overall, whitening usually comes first, because porcelain doesn’t whiten the way natural teeth do.
Preparation, If Needed. If your teeth need any light reshaping, we do it here. Many cases need little or none.
Custom Fabrication. We take impressions or a digital scan, and your Lumineers are custom-made to fit.
Bonding. We check the fit and color, make small adjustments, bond the Lumineers in place, and check your bite.
The number of visits depends on your case, and we’ll lay out the timeline when we plan your treatment.
Taking Care of Your Lumineers
Care is similar to your natural teeth, with a few extras:
Brush twice a day and floss daily, paying attention to the gumline
Don’t chew ice, pens, or fingernails, or open packages with your teeth
Wear a nightguard if you grind your teeth (we make custom ones)
Keep up with your cleanings and checkups
Lumineers can chip or come loose, especially under heavy force. If something feels off, contact us so we can check it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Schedule an Evaluation
Thinking about getting dental Lumineers in Houston, TX? Schedule an evaluation at our Bellaire or Galleria office. We’ll examine your teeth, answer your questions, and explain whether Lumineers or another option fits your goals.