What are LUMINEERS™?

LUMINEERS™ porcelain veneers are made only from Cerinate Porcelain, a patented, ultra-strong porcelain manufactured exclusively in Santa Maria, California by Cerinate Smile Design Studios. Cerinate Porcelain is feldspathic porcelain reinforced with leucite crystals. The particular uniformity of the leucite crystals in Cerinate Porcelain helps it to resist cracking and crazing. The high strength of Cerinate allows LUMINEERS™ to be made contact lens-thin, without increased risk of breakage, so you can place veneers without the need for anesthetic, extensive prepping, or temporaries. Cerinate Porcelain has a low coefficient of thermal expansion, helping to prevent debonding or pop-offs, and can be either stacked or pressed.

How are LUMINEERS™ different from traditional veneers?

LUMINEERS™ are unique in that they are ultra-thin (approximately 0.2 mm) and ultra translucent. While traditional veneers are much thicker, requiring the grinding down of your original tooth structure, LUMINEERS™ are so thin, little to no tooth reduction is necessary. At the same time, LUMINEERS™ resist microleakage and microcracking.

Is the LUMINEERS™ procedure painful?

Unlike traditional veneers, LUMINEERS™ are a completely pain-free way to reshape and permanently whiten your teeth. Traditional veneers require the grinding down of healthy tooth structure to accommodate them, LUMINEERS™ are ultra-thin, so in most cases, you will get a perfect fit without shots, needles, or grinding down of the original tooth structure. Once the procedure is completed, there is no post placement discomfort or sensitivity, which means LUMINEERS™ will look natural and feel comfortable from the moment they are placed.

Who are candidates for LUMINEERS™?

Yes. Four out of five recall patients are LUMINEERS™ candidates. LUMINEERS™ is the biggest breakthrough in achieving the smiles that you are wishing for. These contact lens-thin "smile shapers" are so thin, yet so strong, there is no need for the removal of sensitive tooth structure, no anesthesia, no temporaries and therefore, NO PAIN. Whatever your smile issue, LUMINEERS™ is the perfect solution!

Stained and Discolored Teeth

Staining and discoloration are problems for many. Whether the damage has been caused by time, stain-producing substances such as coffee and red wine, or by the administration of tetracycline, the polychromatic and natural-looking character of LUMINEERS™ corrects discoloration without appearing artificial, and provides a permanent whitening solution for those who hide their smile.

Worn Dentition

Restoring teeth to a more youthful appearance is also possible with LUMINEERS™. From renewing worn dentition on natural teeth to revitalizing the appearance of existing crowns and bridgework, LUMINEERS™ can help to take years off your smile. Non-invasive procedures and fast placement also make LUMINEERS™ ideal for more mature individuals.

Revitalize Old Dental Work

No matter your age, perfectly sound existing bridgework can make a person appear much older if there is gingival recession and metal collars exposed or your natural dentition no longer matches in shade. LUMINEERS™ porcelain can easily be placed on top of existing crowns and bridgework to revitalize their overall appearance. Better yet, revitalize the whole smile with LUMINEERS™ to complete the look and take years off their smile.

Adolescent Dentition

Even adolescent teeth can benefit from LUMINEERS™. Improve smiles damaged from childhood accidents or orthodontia, and boost your confidence when you need it most!

Pre-Adolescent Teeth

This nine-year old girl was self-conscious about the chips on her front teeth and the way it changed the shape of her smile. LUMINEERS™ offered a fast, noninvasive solution that enhanced her self-esteem. Chips and cracks can be hidden beneath contact lens-thin LUMINEERS™ without destroying her natural teeth.

Diastemas

A variety of shape and spacing issues can also be addressed with LUMINEERS™. Diastemas, small tooth size, unevenly shaped teeth, and unevenly aligned teeth may be ideal candidates for "instant orthodontia."

Misalignment

Crooked and crowded teeth are common problems that patients want addressed with maximum convenience and minimum discomfort. LUMINEERS™ can eliminate the need for braces and correct misaligned teeth painlessly by placing ultra-thin LUMINEERS™ porcelain veneers, which permanently and painlessly cover misaligned teeth.

Misshaped Teeth

Some smiles never fully develop into a large, adult smile. Teeth may be large in the front yet small on the sides. In the past, to create an adult smile, patients had to rely on bonding to fill in the gaps or extensive orthodontics. Now with LUMINEERS™, they can get an adult smile in as little as two office visits and without shots or drilling.

Chips and Cracks

Do you have a chipped tooth right in front where everyone can see? While bonding may offer a temporary fix, it may not be the most reliable way to ensure an attractive smile for the long run. LUMINEERS™ offers a painless, permanent and pleasant way to fix chipped teeth. You will always smile with confidence.

Permanently Whiten

Stained or discolored teeth can be a major embarrassment because no amount of bleaching, brushing or visits to the dentist will remove the stains. Now there's a hassle-free solution to the problem. LUMINEERS™ eliminates the traces of any stains or discoloration, leaving you with a permanently white smile.