Are all Porcelain Veneers made the same?

The old saying “you get what you pay for” holds very true. There are different techniques of veneer fabrication as well as many different types of porcelain that the veneers can be made from. In addition, there are different levels of training and experience from one ceramist to another. The Lab cost of individual porcelain veneers will reflect the type of porcelain, method of fabrication and artistic ability and experience of individual ceramists. Porcelain veneer fees vary widely. This fee is reflected in the full veneer fee to the patient. It’s easy to make cheap porcelain veneers if we use a cheap ceramist and poor materials. Your veneers will reflect that.

Are Lumineers AKA No preparation veneers are an excellent choice for everyone?

The “no preparation” technique is the original, old-fashioned method for porcelain veneers from over 25 years ago. It was abandoned within a few years once dentists realized that the cosmetic results were poor. There is a law of physics: no two objects can occupy the same place at the same time.  If your teeth are of normal size and shape in all 3 dimensions, then Lumineers or “no preparation” veneers will make your teeth look big, bulky and un-esthetic. The only time Lumineers will give esthetic results is when your teeth are naturally small, short and narrow. The chance that all of your front teeth are this way is extremely rare.  The company that holds a trademark on the "Lumineers" name has spent millions of dollars into marketing to the masses.  Many dentists jumped on the Lumimeer train with promised of new patients willing to spend thousands of dollars on their smiles.  Unfortunately, they have forgotten the lessons of the past. Our office has become a "Lumineer Recovery Center" because we redo many smiles ruined by “no preparation veneers”.

Only Cosmetic Dentists can deliver excellent Porcelain Veneers?

Here is Cosmetic Dentists dirty little secret: Cosmetic Dentistry is not a recognized dental specialty! The term “cosmetic dentistry” came into existence in the 1980’s when dentist acquired the ability to predictably bond tooth colored porcelains and composites (cosmetic materials) to teeth. Any dentist can do cosmetic dental procedures. Any dentist can claim to be a “Cosmetic Dentist”. Cosmetic dentistry results depend on individual dentists artistic ability, training, experience and skills and the artistic ability, training, experience and skills of the dental ceramist making the veneers. Excellent results with porcelain veneers depend both on the dentist and the ceramist. So chose wisely.

Will preparation of teeth for Porcelain Veneers harm your teeth?

Actually, when porcelain veneers are used to treat straight, properly positioned teeth they are considered a very conservative treatment option. Only 0.5-0.7mm of tooth reduction from the front is necessary for porcelain veneers. That is about the thickness of your fingernail. Studies show that when preparation is kept in enamel, the veneering porcelain will restore the tooth to 100% of its original strength. Therefore Porcelain veneers are a great conservative restorative option for chipped and worn teeth. If decay has damaged the inner core of the tooth (dentin) it can be replaced with bonded resin composites that mimic the natural dentin. The rebuilding of dentin with dentin-like resin composite and enamel with enamel like porcelains is considered Biomimetic Dentistry.

DISCLAIMER:Dr. Alex Shvartsman has spent his entire dental career improving his skills in cosmetic dentistry. He has studied with some of the most prominent lecturers on Cosmetic Dentistry and has taught many dentists the principles of cosmetic dental techniques. He is one of growing minority of dentists that employ Biomimetic dental principles and materials when treating his patients. It is no wonder many dentists as well as dental hygienists, dental assistants and dental ceramists seek him for their smile enhancing treatment. State of the Art Comfort Dentistry is a Lumimeer Recovery Center.