Porcelain Veneers in Greenwich Village, NY.

Lumineer refers to a brand name of no preparation veneers. What do we mean by no preparation veneers? “No prep” or “no preparation” veneers refer to removing no or very little tooth structure by the dentist before fabrication and cementation of the veneer. A traditional veneer requires the removal of some enamel by the dentist with a hand piece. This shaping of the tooth provides room for the porcelain material of the new veneer.  Lumineers are a brand from a dental company called Den-Mat. Dentists can become lumineer providers by taking courses with Den-Mat.

Why are lumineers or no-prep veneers so popular? Patients often request this procedure at Keith Bracy, DDS in the West Village because removing less tooth structure is appealing! The concepts of less or no dental local anesthesia or saving enamel and original tooth structure sounds great to most dental patients. However, no preparation veneers are not for everyone or any case. A no preparation veneer is a good option when teeth have good alignment and a smaller size or profile. If the veneers are used to mask the appearance of crowded teeth or larger teeth, traditional veneers are a better option. Not sure which type of veneer is best for your esthetic needs? We encourage you to have a consult with Dr. Bracy so you can learn more about the benefits and risks of veneer types.

1. See a dentist to make sure you are a candidate for dental veneers. A thorough examination of your teeth, clinically and radiographically must be conducted to make sure you are a candidate. You must make sure you are informed about your dental health and the advantages and risks of dental veneers. Often patients may think porcelain veneers are the solution to their dental cosmetic problem, but there are safer and less expensive solutions. For example, some patients may elect Kor Whitening and Teeth Straightening with Invisalign to produce excellent cosmetic results vs. Veneers. No two patients are alike and the solution to your dental problem requires thought and information gathering. You can always stop by our dental office in 10011 and ask Dr. Bracy about dental veneers.
2. Diagnostic Wax –Up. If you proceed with veneers, ask your dentist to have a diagnostic wax-up of your teeth. This step involves taking a dental impression or mold of your teeth. In our West Village dental office, we utilize a digital scan of your smile instead of traditional impression material. From this mold or scan, the dental laboratory can fabricate a model to show what your veneers will look like. This process yields a ton of information for both the dentist and the patient. You get to see what your final veneers will look like in a model, so there are no surprises after you get them done in your mouth. From the wax-up, Dr. Bracy can analyze from a clinical and scientific standpoint how the veneers will fit and function in your mouth, and additional steps needed to prepare your teeth for the final fit.
3. Preparation day! If the above dental treatment planning steps have been done with care, this day is a fun and easy day! Dr. Bracy will numb your mouth and teeth, just as if you were getting a cavity filled or a crown done. He will then prepare your teeth using a dental hand piece and specialized diamond drills that remove a very small amount of the outer layer of tooth structure. In most veneer preparations, there is about 1-1.5mm of enamel removed and shaped for the final veneers. After preparation, a putty impression or scan of your teeth is then done. The lab fabricates the final veneers from this impression. While the lab is fabricating the veneers, you will wear temporary veneers. Dr. Bracy will fabricate these on the preparation day too.
4. Insertion Day – High end, quality dental laboratories usually have a speedy turnaround time for porcelain veneers. Dr. Bracy will only use well-regarded dental laboratories for your case. In most cases, Dr. Bracy will send you to the dental laboratory so you can meet the technicians and ceramists doing the fabrication. These technicians need to see your teeth and meet you to help get the most precise final shade. We will send you to the laboratory in an Uber after your preparation appointment. After the lab has fabricated the veneers, you will return to the dental office to have them tried in and cemented. Dr. Bracy will try them in for fit and make sure all your concerns are addressed. The veneers are cemented and you can enjoy your beautiful, new smile!
5. Return for follow-ups and regular dental check-ups. Don’t disappear after you have your new smile done by Dr. Bracy in his West Village dental office. Plan to return in a week or so to make sure everything is going well with your new teeth. Dr. Bracy will check on your bite and all the restorations to make sure they are as perfect as they can be and to ensure your satisfaction. As with any dental work, you must continue to have regular dental check-ups, cleanings and x-rays. It is always better to catch dental problems when small and can be repaired easily. Dental veneers are not perfect and require maintenance. Sometimes they may crack or fracture, or come off. Other patients can develop cavities or gum disease around them, if they aren’t properly cared for. Keep up your dental hygiene and dental visits to ensure the longevity of your new porcelain veneers.

Keith Bracy, DDS is the best dentist in 10011, near me. Call us at 212-390-8399 to make your porcelain veneer consultation appointment!

Keith Bracy, DDS preforms hundreds of crowns and veneers in his West Village, NYC dental office and is happy to explain to you the differences in the procedures. The main difference between a crown and a veneer is how much tooth is covered by the dental restoration. A crown will “cap” or cover the entire part of the tooth that is above the gum line in your mouth. A veneer will cover the front surface and just a very slight part of the back surface of the tooth. Since crowns and veneers vary in the part of the tooth that they cover, they are made differently and your teeth are prepared for the restoration differently by Keith Bracy, DDS in the West Village. Dr. Bracy will remove more natural tooth structure to make room for the crown and less tooth structure for the veneer. Crowns are indicated if there is substantial loss to the tooth from a cavity, fracture or failing restoration. Veneers are indicated to improve cosmetics of the tooth but can also be used in cases of minor cavities, certain small fractures in the enamel of the tooth and discolorations in the enamel. The mechanics of retention are also different. Veneers are bonded on with a special type of cement that does not discolor. Crowns use a different cement and do not always have to be bonded in since they have more tooth structure to cover. Please come see us in our 10011 dental office for a consult for your new crown or veneer today! You are in good hands at Keith Bracy, DDS.