Dental veneers are a cosmetic solution to improve the appearance of teeth that are discolored, stained, chipped or misaligned. Placed over existing teeth, Lumineers veneers have the advantage of being as thin as a contact lens. While Lumineers offer both benefits and disadvantages, cost is often the primary factor people consider.
Average Cost
The cost of Lumineers can be less than that for other dental veneers. The average cost of Lumineers in recent years has been $700 to $1,100 per veneer. The difference between Lumineers and traditional dental veneers is that Lumineers are thinner and bonded to the teeth using a no-drilling technique.
Covering the Cost
A dentist must first examine a patient and evaluate the condition of the teeth before quoting an exact price. If you are considering dental veneers, contact your insurance company to find out if it will cover the cost for the veneers in part or in full. However, do not be surprised if the company will not pay anything toward the cost of dental veneers. One way to keep the cost down is to have teeth done individually, but that may actually cost you more in the end. Some dentists charge less for each veneer if you get more Lumineers.
Factors
The cost of Lumineers can vary depending on where you live. Dentists within the same region can charge different prices as well. Take the time to shop around and compare prices as most areas have more than one dentist experienced in doing the procedure (see Resources below).
Disadvantages
Lumineers are ultra-thin as compared to other dental veneers, which often look more natural on the teeth. Although their thin nature makes them easier to apply, Lumineers can crack or fall off whereas thicker veneers are less prone to cracking. Another problem is that since less tooth enamel is removed to apply Lumineers, the veneers do not always fit your teeth well and over time can leave a gap between the tooth and veneer. Bacteria can then build up and lead to tooth decay
Traditional Veneers
Lumineers sometimes cost less than traditional dental veneers, usually because the dentist does not need to do as much preparation. Only a minimal amount of drilling is required, although this creates a weaker bond. More drilling is required for the process of applying traditional veneers. A dentist prepares the tooth by grinding down some of the enamel so that the veneer fits the tooth. Because more work is involved, traditional dental veneers can cost as much as $1,500 per veneer.
Warning
In some cases, Lumineers can cost as much as if not more than other dental veneers. Another problem is that an inexperienced dentist may not bond the veneer to the tooth properly, causing the veneer to shift. While some problems can be fixed simply, other problems can be costly to correct, especially when you have to make repeated trips to the dentist.
Tags: dental veneers, cost Lumineers, other dental, other dental veneers, traditional dental