Veneers & Lumineers

For an ever-radiant smile,
that boosts your self-confidence

The term "veneer" comes from English and refers to a veneer, façade or veneer. The wafer-thin, translucent veneers are made of ceramic or a plastic-ceramic mixture.

Tooth gaps, tooth discoloration and crooked teeth disappear behind the wafer-thin Venneers. With this type of treatment, the teeth get an aesthetic appearance and the tooth color can be corrected individually with this type of treatment.

Different types of veneers are used. When choosing the procedure, the condition of the teeth is taken into account. The differences relate to strength, fastening and material.

Conventional ceramic veneers

Ceramic veneers are wafer-thin, transparent shells that give an absolutely natural appearance. In addition, ceramic is a material of high biocompatibility that does not cause allergic reactions. The sophisticated process technology used to produce the shells ensures a non-staining result and beautiful white teeth for many decades. All-ceramic veneers are the best choice, because the material is very easy to process and combines natural transparency with high robustness.

Ceramic veneers are only 0.4 to 0.8 millimeters thick and therefore require minimal grinding of the tooth substance. Compared to treatment with the help of a dental crown, however, the application of ceramic veneers requires significantly less ablation healthy substance of your own teeth to prepare the tooth for treatment.

Non-Prep Veneers / Lumineers

The technology was developed and patented in the USA. It is based on tooth-specific adhesives. With a thickness of about 0.3 mm, Lumineer veneers are significantly thinner than conventional ceramic veneers. The attachment (usually) does not require preparation of the teeth. Thus, anesthesia is not necessary during application, which is why this method is considered painless. The impression of the teeth can be taken without pre-processing. A special adhesive and composite material enables the permanent connection between the tooth and the Lumineer shell to be applied.

However, the options with non-prep veneers are more limited. This method is only suitable for very few cases. One example that speaks against the use of lumineers are particularly dark teeth. These can shine through the thin ceramic. In this case, we recommend classic veneers.

Patients who grind and clench are also not suitable for cosmetic dental treatments with Lumineers. The adhesive strength of the shells is reduced by the forces acting on it, which leads to flaking of the shells.

Composite Veneers / Immediate Veneers

Composite veneers are non-prep veneers in which the aesthetic composite material is layered directly onto the teeth without first grinding the tooth. This is usually done in one session and is completely painless. This procedure is suitable for enlarging teeth, closing small gaps and/or lengthening teeth.  Fractures can be repaired and slight discoloration can be covered. Small misalignments can be corrected with composite veneers.

Instant veneers have a shorter lifespan than ceramic veneers. The practice of Dr. Nina van Sprundel advises against the use of composite veneers. A long-lasting alternative such as ceramic veneers or ceramic crowns allows patients to achieve a long-lasting result that does not need to be renewed after a few years.

Crown, Lumineers or Classic Veneers?

The choice between a crown, lumineers or classic ceramic veneers depends on the patient's situation. If there is a lot of wear, a crown is the best choice. It covers the entire tooth, resulting in better stability. However, in the case of a crown, the tooth must be ground all around.

A classic ceramic veneer is a very good choice in cases where there is only slight wear or a purely aesthetic treatment is desired. It is cheaper and the tooth only needs to be ground minimally at the front (0.3-0.5 mm). Lumineers are a good alternative if the wear and tear and tooth discoloration is light and the tooth does not want to be ground down. However, they can only be used in rare cases.

The decision between crowns, lumineers or classic ceramic veneers depends on the patient's case and the degree of wear.

Procedure of a veneer treatment

The course of treatment begins with a consultation and examination by the dentist, during which a cost estimate is also prepared. Subsequently, the teeth are thoroughly cleaned and any existing fillings are renewed or caries is treated. It is essential that the teeth are perfectly healthy and that there is no inflammation in the oral cavity, such as periodontitis, before the veneers are applied.

Bleaching can then be performed to precisely match the color of the veneers to the natural tooth color.

In order to achieve an optimal result, digital planning is then carried out, in which you can see the result on the screen in advance. We will keep making changes until you are one hundred percent satisfied.

After that, the corresponding tooth is lightly ground down so that the veneers on the front teeth look as natural as possible and do not have a bulky effect. This is followed by a precise impression so that the dental technician can produce the shell to fit exactly.

After production by the dental technician, the ceramic veneer is tried on and, if the fit and aesthetics are good, finally fixed by the dentist with a special adhesive.

The bonding process usually takes about 20 minutes per tooth. Between planning and applying the veneers, you have to expect a few days for the production of your veneers in the dental laboratory. In most cases, one appointment is sufficient for the application of all veneers. After the treatment, you will be able to smile freely and naturally again.

Is veneer treatment painful?

The production of veneers is usually painless. During preparation, often only the top layer of the tooth, the enamel, is minimally sanded. In general, the sensitive dentin is not prepared. If, in rare cases, it is necessary, these procedures are carried out under local anesthesia.

The further treatment steps, such as the impression of the prepared teeth and the insertion of the finished work, are completely painless. Even patients with a fear of the dentist or dental phobia do not need to be afraid of veneer treatment. The treatment is painless.

Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We look forward to helping you with this.

How much do Lumineers cost?

Unlike veneers, the price of the lumineers can vary depending on the amount of effort required for the treatment.

The material costs for lumineers and traditional veneers are almost identical. For a single veneer, you have to calculate 2000 francs. Two veneers are mainly used to hide discoloration and small irregularities on the front teeth.

The veneer of upper and lower jaw anterior teeth requires 12 veneers and would cost 24000 francs. The complete veneering of the upper and lower jaw costs about 50,000 francs.

Whether you choose lumineers or veneers, you will get a high-quality result that is long-lasting and will give you many years of pleasure.