How are Lumineers® Different than Traditional Veneers?

Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic restoration that gives patients remarkable results in as little as two dental appointments, and without the hassle of multiple, complex procedures.  For patients who are interested in improving the way their smiles look, we offer Lumineers® brand porcelain veneers, which are a bit different than standard porcelain veneers.

To help you better understand what makes Lumineers® different, consider the following:

Pre-Treatment Preparation

Traditional veneers are thicker than the no-prep variety  (Lumineers®). Because of their thickness, regular veneers require the buffing-down of natural dental enamel so that, when applied, the veneer does not make teeth look bulky or unnaturally thick. No-prep veneers are so-called because they require virtually no filing of natural tooth enamel to apply. Lumineers® brand veneers are ultra-thin and therefore do not require teeth preparation as in the traditional fashion.

Ability to Correct Cosmetic Flaws

Both Lumineers® and standard veneers are able to cover flaws and improve the shape and alignment of teeth. However, because traditional veneers are thicker, they are often more efficient at camouflaging severe cases of tooth discoloration that cannot be improved by teeth whitening. These extreme cases of discoloration are rare, which is why Lumineers® works for most people, but it’s important to speak to your cosmetic dentist about any potential tooth discoloration that may not be corrected by no-prep dental veneers.

Durability

With improvements in materials for cosmetic dental restorations, as well as agents used to bond veneers in place, both no-prep and standard veneers are able to last for years with proper care. However, because no-prep veneers are thinner, if you are really hard on your teeth, there’s a higher likelihood of causing damage. The good news is that, because no-prep veneers can be removed and replaced more easily in the event of damage, the process for restoring your veneer is less complicated.

Our no-prep porcelain veneers are perfect for patients who are in the market for veneer therapy, but who are concerned about removing too much of their existing tooth enamel to get the look they want. If you have a question about getting cosmetic dental treatment with porcelain veneers in Queens, contact our office for assistance.

6 Great Ways to Whiten Teeth on Your Own

Now more than ever, people are desiring a whiter smile. With an association with good oral health and positive first impressions, white teeth have been in high demand. Your local dentist can provide you with chairside and take-home whitening procedures, but there are also ways to brighten your smile on your own.

Keep up with regular oral hygiene: A bright smile starts with regular brushing and flossing, as well as routine dental appointments. Oral hygiene will keep plaque at bay, creating a healthier and whiter smile.

Eat healthy snacks: Instead of chips or candy, try eating fruits and vegetables as a daily snack. The consistency of fruits and vegetables helps scrape bacteria from the surface of teeth, helping to brighten your smile over time.

Cut down on staining drinks: Consuming liquids like coffee or red wine stains the teeth, especially in large quantities. Try cutting down on these drinks or drink them through a straw to point the liquid away from the front-facing teeth.

Use over-the-counter whitening kits: Although they typically only target the “social 6” (or the front 6 viewable teeth) over-the-counter whitening kits are an affordable and fast way to gain whiter teeth.

Don’t smoke: There aren’t many benefits to smoking, and improving your oral health is certainly not one of them. If you want to gain a whiter smile, you should eliminate cigarettes.

Contact Dynamic Dental Work: A professional whitening procedure, whether it’s chairside or at-home, is the best and most effective way to target stained tooth enamel and whiten the smile.

The dental health professionals at Dynamic Dental Work would be happy to schedule an appointment with you and discuss a teeth whitening procedure. Contact our Queens dental office today!