Lumineers® Indirect bonding without shots.
The newest form of esthetic dentistry involves bonding ultra-thin porcelain veneers, generally without anesthetic, to unprepared or lightly prepared teeth. This has been made possible because of a new innovation in dental materials. LUMINEERS BY CERINATE is a cosmetic solution for permanently stained, chipped, discolored and misaligned teeth. It may even be used to revitalize old crowns and bridgework. LUMINEERS are a porcelain veneer that can be made as thin as a contact lens and are placed over existing teeth, most of the time without requiring the removal of sensitive tooth structure-unlike traditional veneers. The technology used to fabricate this product involves pressing porcelain particles into veneers about one third of a millimeter thin. It is something of a breakthrough because it is difficult to prepare a veneer this thin with the strength and masking properties necessary to restore broken, misaligned and discolored teeth. Lumineers are made from a glass ceramic containing a very high density leucite crystals. This makes for a remarkably strong and durable veneer.

The advantages to this type of esthetic restoration are as follows:
? Since in most situations, Lumineers require little or no modifications to the underlying teeth themselves, they can be done from start to finish without shots most of the time.
? Most cases return from the lab within 7 to 10 working days, so the patient can expect to receive his or her veneers within two weeks of the impression appointment.
? Since the veneer is bonded entirely to tooth enamel, the bond is very strong (the strongest bond in all of dentistry) and the restorations are clinically proven to last for a minimum of 20 years.
? Lumineer veneers are proprietary which means that the veneers are built only by certified lab technicians. This is no small consideration since the dentist cannot “cheap out” by using a discount lab where technicians are not as well versed in the art. High standards must be maintained so the work that comes back is always very good.
? The porcelain to enamel bond is one of the strongest in dentistry. Lumineers, once bonded to the teeth have very good track record for strength and longevity.
The disadvantages of Lumineers are as follows:
? The Teeth that will receive the lumineers and the gums that surround them should be in reasonable condition. There can be no active decay in the teeth, and any fillings present must be in fairly good condition prior to doing the veneers. With a seriously damaged tooth that has been extensively repaired with composite, it is often best to place an all-porcelain crown on it instead of a veneer. Crowns cover the entire surface of the tooth and protect it from further decay.
? Oral hygiene must be good before the veneers can be done. If the hygiene is poor, then the gums may recede away from the margin of the veneers making the result less than optimum. Also, bleeding gums will interfere with the bonding process and often causes a line of discoloration under the porcelain at the gum line.

Finally, as always consult with your dentist for recommendations!

Dental bleaching, also known as tooth whitening, is a common procedure in general dentistry but most especially in the field of cosmetic dentistry. A child’s deciduous teeth are generally whiter than the adult teeth that follow. As a person ages the adult teeth often become darker due to changes in the mineral structure of the tooth, as the enamel becomes less porous. Teeth can also become stained by bacterial pigments, foodstuffs and tobacco. Certain antibiotic medications (like tetracycline) can also lead to teeth stains or a reduction in the brilliance of the enamel. There are many methods to whiten teeth: bleaching strips, bleaching pen, bleaching gel, laser bleaching, and natural bleaching. Consult your dentist before considering any of these procedures.

Dental veneers are thin shells that coat the teeth to give them a better appearance. While most dentists find veneers to be safe, there are a host of issues regarding veneers that you should consider:
1. Speak with your dentist. Your dentist is the best source of information about dental veneers. While general research might teach you a lot about veneers, only your dentist can take your dental history and condition into account.

2. Learn about the issues dental veneers can fix. Before you do any more research, it’s worth the time to find out if you have any of the cosmetic dental issues that veneers fix. You can review these issues on websites and with your dentist.

3. Understand the different kinds of veneers. Most dental veneers are made from resin composites or porcelain. Porcelain veneers look more like real teeth, while resin composite veneers require the dentist to scrape away less of your tooth to make room for the veneer. Look into different materials and find photos to understand the differences.

4. Research similar options. Dental veneers are not the only way to solve cosmetic dental problems. Bonding and capping are two other methods of fixing these issues. Speak with your dentist and read about bonding and capping to see how they compare with veneers.

5. Figure out the cost. As with all things in the health industry, there is a bottom line to dental veneers. You must understand the cost of the veneers and maintaining them. Also, if you have dental insurance you should speak with your insurance agent to find out whether your plan covers veneers.