NEW VENEER
The beauty of Lumineers, Brandau explained, is that the tooth need not be ground down as it does to accommodate crowns and some veneer procedures. Veneers, Lumineers and others, can transform worn, misshapen, broken and discolored teeth. In many cases, they are a viable alternative to braces. But, Brandau is quick to inform potential patients that the new veneers are not a panacea for a bite gone wrong.
"It's not a cure-all. You don't want people going in with unrealistic expectations," he stressed. "The biggest misconception is with major orthodontic problems. People think they can hide it all with these but sometimes the cases exceed what the system is meant for."
The durability of the new thinner veneers is enhanced with a stronger porcelain. Once the veneer is seated correctly and all the excess bonding agent is cleaned off, the patient's dedicated dental hygiene regimen is all that is necessary to maintain the new look. Special attention to the margins between veneers and gums is vital.
Who is the typical patient seeking information on veneers?
"We are seeing an epidemic in my office and with other dentists of patients with the stress of today's world who are clenching and grinding teeth," Brandau responded. " The movement afoot in dentistry is to find minimally invasive procedures. The goal is to do as little violence to the tooth to fix it as necessary. Anything that allows us to remove less tooth structure to correct problems is good news."
The new veneers can cost between $600 and $700 per tooth.
"My caution would be to keep expectations under control until you've had a consultation," Brandau, in practice for 26 years, said in conclusion.
"Dentistry is always looking for better ways to serve patient needs. It is a good tool but not an answer to every problem out there."
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