Founded by Robert Ibsen, DDS, in 1974, Den-Mat is a company that specializes in innovative, cosmetic dental products and procedures. The company focuses on patient comfort, as well as results. Lumineers by Cerinate® are Den-Mat's alternative to traditional porcelain veneers. In addition to milder preparation and a lower cost relative to traditional veneers, Lumineers® also boast the added benefit of being a removable product.
Application of Lumineers® and Traditional Porcelain Veneers
Lumineers® are a porcelain veneer that can be used by dentists to repair cosmetic defects in a patient's smile. Made from Cerinate®, a strong porcelain composite, Lumineers® can be as thin as 0.2 mm, or about the thickness of a contact lens. Traditional porcelain veneers are typically around 0.5 mm in thickness.
Because Lumineers® are thinner than traditional porcelain veneers, there is less preparation involved prior to installation. The Lumineer® is laid over the top of the existing tooth without the scraping or grinding involved with traditional veneers. In addition, patient's considering Lumineers® will also like the fact that the installation process is generally less painful than that of traditional veneers; typically no local anesthesia is required.
With a traditional veneer, the teeth will be shaped and a certain amount of the tooth ground away, so that the veneer will rest properly and look natural. The finished product is not reversible, and the installation can be somewhat painful.
Removal of Lumineers®
Because they are very thin, and because the tooth has not been ground down beforehand, the installation of Lumineers® is considered reversible. The Lumineer® can be removed from the original tooth with no residual damage. There are different scenarios in which a patient may decide to remove the Lumineers®.
While Lumineers® are very durable, in extreme situations they are susceptible to chipping or cracking. To repair the tooth, a dentist may want to remove the Lumineer®.
A patient may decide she is dissatisfied with her finished smile. In this situation, the Lumineers® can be removed and the teeth returned to their original condition.
The removal process is relatively simple. First, the dentist will grind the Lumineer® veneer off the tooth's surface, leaving the original tooth completely untouched and intact. Then the dentist will polish the tooth to clean away any remaining cement.
Generally the time it takes for a dentist to remove a Lumineer® from a single tooth is about 10 minutes. The removal process is relatively pain free, and when finished, the patient will have her original smile restored.
Proper Care of Lumineers®
Care of Lumineers® is similar to that of traditional veneers and untreated teeth: Maintain good oral hygiene, don't bite down on hard objects, avoid beverages that would stain teeth, and visit a dentist twice annually. The finished, bonded product is extremely durable and has the potential to last a life-time.
For many, Lumineers® can be the answer to achieving a beautiful smile.
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