19 Sep Lumineers – Getting a More Confident Smile in Knoxville, TN

Lumineers are a unique brand of dental veneer used in the treatment of broken or discolored teeth. Unlike other traditional veneers, Lumineers use a patented porcelain formula that’s spherical in shape, giving it a more natural appearance while also being stronger. Think of them as shells that restore the look of your natural teeth.

To understand how dental Lumineers may benefit you, we’ll look at:

• Traditional veneers
• What makes Lumineers different from traditional veneers
• Lumineers at Knoxville Family Dental’s west office

At Knoxville Family Dental’s location in West Knoxville, we believe that you should have the smile that you deserve. Lumineers are a fantastic way to achieve that. Keep reading to learn more about Lumineers and how they may be the key to unlocking your perfect smile.

Traditional Veneers

Before diving into Lumineers, it can help to understand traditional veneers. Traditional veneers are usually made of porcelain or resin composites that are cemented onto the front of your teeth. While they seem the same, there are some important distinctions between them. For one thing, resin composite veneers are usually less expensive and less time-consuming than porcelain veneers.

But this comes at a price. While you’ll get your resin composite veneers much more quickly than the porcelain variety and at a lower cost, resin composite veneers also tend to not be as durable as the porcelain type. Resin composite veneers are also more prone to staining and don’t reflect light the same way as your natural teeth, making them look less natural.

Another factor to keep in mind when it comes to traditional veneers is the preparation required before attaching them to your teeth. Porcelain veneers require significant preparation before being applied to your teeth and resin composites may require some, as well. This involves reshaping the surface of the tooth to accommodate the veneer. 

You’ll also need to consider the permanence of porcelain and resin composite veneers. Traditional veneers are attached to your teeth through a process known as bonding. In this process, your dentist will begin by making sure the veneer fits your tooth. They will then use a special cement that permanently adheres the veneer to your tooth.

What Makes Lumineers Different from Traditional Veneers

Since they’re a type of veneer, Lumineers share a lot of similarities with porcelain and resin composite veneers. This includes being:

• Used to brighten stained teeth
• Ideal for fixing cosmetic issues with teeth
• Made from a thin layer of material
• Natural-looking in appearance
• Easy to maintain

But there are also some key differences between Lumineers and traditional veneers. 

The Process is Pain-Free

One of the biggest perks of Lumineers is that they’re virtually painless. You may not associate any visit to the dentist with being comfortable, but this is a perfect example of why that’s not always the case. 

As Dr. Dan Thompson from our West Knoxville location puts it:

There’s no discomfort in any portion of the process. It’s pretty incredible how the process goes.

– Dr. Thompson

This is thanks to the fact that reshaping the tooth isn’t required for Lumineers. This means that, unlike traditional veneer procedures, no shots or other form of numbing agent are required. What’s more, you won’t experience any post-application tooth sensitivity once the Lumineers have been applied.

Lumineers are Extremely Thin

Lumineers are much thinner than traditional veneers and require less preparation before applying them to your teeth. When it comes to traditional veneers, this preparation process can require reshaping the tooth by grinding the enamel so the veneer will fit. This usually requires 3 to 5 centimeters of enamel to be removed from the tooth.

You don’t have to worry about any teeth grinding with Lumineers. They’re already super thin and have a width of around 0.2mm. This means that they should easily fit your teeth without any prepping required. Lumineers provide a close fit to your teeth while keeping the strength, durability, and natural look of traditional veneers.

Lumineers Don’t Require Permanent Changes to Your Teeth

One major downside to traditional veneers is that they require permanent changes to your teeth before they can be applied. The reshaping of the tooth through grinding and removing enamel is permanent and that can make many people uncomfortable with the process. What’s more, your teeth will be vulnerable with less enamel the grinding will be visible if they need to be removed.

This isn’t the case with Lumineers. While they fit securely to your teeth, they are not permanent nor do they require permanent changes to your teeth to work. This means that they can be removed much more easily if necessary and your teeth won’t be more vulnerable due to lack of enamel or less attractive due to the preparation process.

Lumineers at Knoxville Family Dental’s West Knoxville Location 

We’re big fans of Lumineers at our west office location. Not only are they the only type of veneers that we offer, but three of our own staff have them, too! Dr. Thompson has been working with Lumineers since the 1980s and has been raving about them ever since. 

We start with a free consultation to assess your needs and your goals. Everyone is different, which means that not everyone wants or needs Lumineers for the same reasons. Dr. Thompson and our staff take the individual needs of our patients very seriously. That’s why Dr. Thompson says:

Everybody’s concerns are a little different. We want to make sure we’re addressing the right concerns for someone who would be a good candidate for Lumineers.

– Dr. Thompson

Most people qualify for Lumineers. However, there are limitations. They are not ideal for people who grind their teeth or people who are missing teeth. They’re also not a substitute for braces, though they can improve certain imperfections.

Once we’ve established that you’re a good fit for Lumineers, we make an impression of your teeth and send them to a lab where your Lumineers are made. We will apply your new Lumineers during your second appointment and make any necessary adjustments to ensure you get the smile that you deserve.

Knoxville Family Dental has two locations in Knoxville to better serve you. You can call our West Knoxville location at (865) 691-1121 or you can schedule an appointment online.