Teeth Lumineers Explained: Benefits, Costs, and More

They say, "a smile is worth a thousand words." But did you know that smiling, even when you aren't happy, can lift your mood and give you a more positive outlook on life?¹ However, if you aren't happy with how your teeth look, you might be unwilling to smile, which can dampen your spirits.

Fortunately, for those with chipped, cracked or mildly discolored teeth, Lumineers® can help you get the brighter smile you are seeking. Not only can it help you feel better about your appearance, it might even make you feel happier overall.

Let's look at what Lumineers are, how your dentist will apply them, why they might be right for you and how much to expect to pay for them.

What Are Lumineers?

Lumineers are a type of dental veneer made from Cerinate porcelain that your dentist bonds to the front surface of your teeth. They are nearly translucent, yet they subtly reshape and change the color of your teeth, while also camouflaging imperfections, to improve your smile.

If you want to cover up stains, cracks or gaps between your teeth or make a smaller tooth appear larger, dental Lumineers can help. The process of having them applied takes two trips to the dentist and typically requires no anesthetics.²

What can Lumineers fix?

Lumineers can cover or correct many common dental issues, including:³

• Tooth stains
• Small cracks and chips on teeth
• Slight spaces between teeth
• Slightly crowded teeth
• Misshapen teeth
• Teeth that appear too small
• Old dental work such as crowns and dental bridges²

Veneers vs. Lumineers

Lumineers are much thinner than traditional veneers and require much less preparation. While veneers require extensive shaving of the teeth to remove around 0.5mm of enamel before using resin to attach them to the front of the teeth, Lumineers require little to no shaving or drilling of the enamel before application.⁴

Because they require less preparation than other types of veneers, there is also no anesthesia or numbing shots involved in the application of Lumineers. They are also less bulky than traditional veneers, which are around 1.5mm thick, because they are about as thin as a contact lens, 0.3mm, and they are slightly less expensive.⁵

Lumineers vs. Other Options

Lumineers, unlike other types of cosmetic dental treatments, require little to no preparation and can cover a variety of dental imperfections to enhance your smile. But, Lumineers are not your only option. In addition to veneers, your dentist might suggest other solutions:

Porcelain crowns vs. Lumineers

For those dealing with seriously damaged or decayed teeth, porcelain crowns may be a better option than Lumineers. Crowns, made from a combination of porcelain and metal, are applied over teeth after your dentist removes all of the damage from the tooth or after a root canal. For those who have healthy teeth and gums, though, Lumineers are a better option.⁴

Dental bonding vs. Lumineers

Your dentist may suggest applying dental bonding to correct small cracks or chips and gaps between teeth and bonding only requires one visit to the dentist. Unlike Lumineers, bonding isn't a long-term solution and will require touch-ups every three to five years. Bonding may also not completely match the color of your teeth and isn't as good at shaping your teeth as Lumineers.²

Teeth whitening vs. Lumineers

For those looking for a brighter smile, teeth whitening can lighten your teeth by up to eight shades or more.⁴ This can also remove some light staining. While teeth whitening will brighten your smile, it won't fix any cracks, chips or gaps between teeth and won't remove serious staining.²

Orthodontics vs. Lumineers

While Lumineers can correct the appearance of slightly crooked teeth, Invisalign® clear aligners and braces can correct large gaps between teeth and very crooked teeth. However, they can't correct cracks and other imperfections like stains and chips. That's why your dentist might suggest treatment with orthodontics to straighten your teeth before applying Lumineers to correct tooth imperfections.²

Benefits of Lumineers

For those considering Lumineers, they have many advantages, including:²

• Covering tooth stains
• Straightening slightly crooked teeth
• Covering small cracks and chips
• Increasing the size of small teeth
• Requiring only two dentist visits
• Needing little preparation in terms of shaving the enamel of the teeth
• Requiring no numbing or anesthesia to apply

How Do Lumineers Work?

If your dentist feels that Lumineers are the right solution for your smile, then they will need to customize them for your teeth and then apply them. Lumineers are typically fitted and applied during two visits with your dentist:

Your first Lumineers visit

The first visit involves the customization of the Lumineers:⁵

• Your dentist will make an impression of your teeth and take digital X-rays to ensure a good fit for your Lumineers.⁶
• They send those impressions to a DenMat lab where custom Lumineers are manufactured to match your teeth.⁷
• Note that some dentists might do a light cleaning and sanding of the teeth during this appointment.²
• Some dentists may apply a temporary "trial smile" which consists of acrylic veneers that give you a preview of what to expect with your Lumineers.²

Sometimes dentists recommend getting a gingivoplasty to correct and sculpt your gums prior to getting Lumineers. In these cases, you'll need to wait at least 45 days before the application of your Lumineers. Otherwise, you'll only need to wait about two weeks.²

Your second Lumineers visit

The second visit is the application, which takes around two hours total, during which:²

• Your dentist will do no drilling, grinding or contouring of your teeth.
• Instead, the dentist applies a few layers of bonding agent that holds Lumineers on.
• Once dry, the dentist removes any excess bonding agent from around the teeth and polishes your Lumineers.
• Depending on how your top and bottom teeth meet, you may need minor adjustments to your Lumineers.

What can I expect after the application of my Lumineers?

The best thing about Lumineers is that they require no downtime and you don't have to do anything special after your dentist applies them. You shouldn't experience any pain or discomfort, although you might have some gum irritation for several weeks after the procedure. In addition, some patients do experience tooth sensitivity for up to one year after your dentist applies your Lumineers.²

How Long Do Lumineers Last?

With care, Lumineers can last anywhere between 10 to 30 years.² On average, though, Lumineers last between 10 and 20 years.⁷

Are Lumineers for You?

Wondering whether you're a good candidate for Lumineers? For those thinking about getting them, know that they work best for those who:²

• Are over 18
• Have healthy gums
• Don't have large gaps between teeth
• Don't have any missing teeth
• Don't have extremely crooked teeth
• Don't bite their nails or grind their teeth
• Have small teeth
• Have stubborn stains on teeth that weren't corrected with whitening

Lumineers add some bulk to your teeth, so those with smaller teeth will benefit from having them. However, those with larger or crowded teeth may find them too bulky.⁴

Note that for those with severe staining, Lumineers may not cover the stains. Patients with very crooked or crowded teeth will benefit from treatment with braces or Invisalign clear aligners prior to getting Lumineers.²

How Much Do Lumineers Cost?

The cost of your Lumineers depends on how many teeth your dentist is treating. On average, Lumineers cost between $800 and $2,000 per tooth. Based on these ranges, expect to pay around $4,400 for a partial smile makeover to $14,000 for a full one.⁸

Lumineers are slightly less expensive than traditional types of veneers, which cost between $925 and $2,500 per tooth.⁷

Factors that affect how much you pay for your Lumineers include:⁸

• The location of your doctor. Dentists located in major metropolitan cities may charge more than those located in smaller markets. However, in cities with a lot of competition, you might actually pay less.
• The skill level of your dentist. Doctors with more experience applying Lumineers will charge more than those with less.
• The health of your teeth. If you need additional work like teeth whitening, treatment for gum disease, a root canal or braces, those costs will add to your overall dental bill.
• How many teeth your dentist is treating. Because the cost of Lumineers is priced per tooth, the more teeth you need treated, the higher the bill. Fortunately, some dentists will give you a slight discount for treating multiple teeth.

Does Insurance Cover the Cost of Lumineers?

In most cases, dental insurance won't cover the cost of your Lumineers because they are classified as an elective cosmetic procedure and not a medically necessary one. In some cases, though, if your teeth become damaged due to a traumatic injury and your dentist thinks that Lumineers will help repair the damage, then your insurance might pay for some of the cost.⁸

Your dentist can check with your dental insurance to see if the policy will cover any of the cost of your Lumineers.

How Can I Pay for My Lumineers?

Wondering how to pay for your Lumineers? You have a few options to consider, including:

• Cash or savings to pay for your treatment if you have the funds available.
• Standard credit cards, which most dental providers accept for payment.
• The CareCredit credit card, which many dental providers around the country accept, allows you to pay for your treatment over time.*

What Are the Risks and Side Effects of Lumineers?

While Lumineers come with little to no preparation, that doesn't mean that they don't come without the risk of potential side effects and possible complications. These side effects include:²

• Tooth sensitivity
• Gum irritation
• Altered bite
• Cracking or chipping of the Lumineers
• The Lumineers veneer falling off your tooth

Because your dentist won't shave down your teeth in the same way that they will before applying traditional veneers, once Lumineers are applied to your teeth, they are considered removable.⁷ In some cases, though, they could damage the teeth when removed.²

How do I reduce the risks of side effects from Lumineers?

Remember that some side effects, like tooth sensitivity, are temporary, typically only lasting up to a year after application. The same is true of gum irritation, which should only last for a few weeks.

To reduce the chance of complications and side effects from becoming detrimental to your Lumineers:²

• Report any gum irritation and bleeding that lasts longer than a few weeks to your dentist.
• Practice good oral hygiene, brushing and flossing twice daily, and seeing your dentist at least one to two times per year for checkups and cleanings.
• Let your dentist know if you are having bite issues. Your dentist can adjust the Lumineers to account for this.
• Avoid biting your nails and wear a mouth guard at night to prevent grinding of the teeth, a condition known as bruxism. This can lead to cracking and chipping of the Lumineers.
• Don't bite into hard foods to avoid putting undue stress on the Lumineers.⁴
• Only use a dentist with experience in applying Lumineers and who is certified in their application to avoid issues with the Lumineers falling off of your teeth.

Are Lumineers Worth It?

For those dealing with chipped or cracked teeth, staining or other imperfections, Lumineers may be the solution that you're looking for. They can cover and correct a variety of dental issues to give you a brighter and more even smile, boosting your confidence and possibly even your mood because you'll be tempted to smile much more often. And because they last up to around 20 years, this makes their cost worth it in the long run.⁷

For those considering Lumineers, they typically don't require any drilling, grinding or anesthesia like other types of treatments including traditional veneers. Best of all, once your dentist applies them, there's no downtime for you to worry about, making them an easy choice to instantly transform your smile.

To determine if Lumineers are right for you, speak with your dentist. They can give you a better idea of whether these thin dental veneers will give you the results you're looking for and can help you determine the best way to finance them.

Financing for Lumineers With the CareCredit Credit Card

Whether you're getting Lumineers or you simply need a dental exam, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a dentist or oral surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit. Use the CareCredit credit card again and again, to pay for your health and wellness needs, and download the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Author Bio

Susan Paretts is a freelance writer with 18 years of experience covering health and wellness, pet care and more. Her work has been published by the American Kennel Club, Bayer Animal Health, Elanco, LIVESTRONG.com, The San Francisco Chronicle, Chewy and more.