I’m a teenager and am interested in Lumineers because I’ve heard they are affordable. My mom works two jobs to make ends meet and recently I had braces, which she said was really expensive. She complained all the time about the extra cost. The problem is that I have these ugly white spots left over from the braces and now I want Lumineers to cover them up. Do you have an idea about how much they cost? I need to figure out how to ask my mom and need to know that before I do.

-Callie in Texas

Callie,

It sounds like you are really interested and taking initiative since you are doing your research ahead of time. Not too many teenagers take the time to do their homework before asking their parents. Here is some more information to help you figure out if Lumineers will meet your needs.

Am I a Lumineers candidate?

You may not realize that Lumineers is one of the many brands of porcelain veneers. They are placed over the front surface of your tooth. This alters the color and shape of your teeth. Porcelain veneers are used to correct minor spacing or cosmetic issues on front teeth. They are very thin, so if your spots are severe, there is a chance they could show through. An experienced cosmetic dentist would be able to address the white spots and help determine if the spots need to be treated prior to additional cosmetic dentistry treatments. Sometimes, a composite bonding material can be used to fill in those spots so they don’t show through.

It is also important to realize, you are not done growing yet. This means your facial shape isn’t completely defined and your jaw is still undergoing changes. Any type of cosmetic dentistry you have done as a teenager means you will likely need to retreat as an adult. In some cases, it may take several treatments as you finish developing and mature. This isn’t meant to discourage you from seeking treatment, however, it’s important to realize you will have to continually touch up and redo the cosmetic dentistry to keep it looking nice. Honestly, the best thing for you to do would be to have a consultation with a reputable cosmetic dentist. Find out the correct recommendations for your unique case, and then present the options to your mom.

Are Lumineers Affordable?

Lumineers are competitive to the cost of other types of porcelain veneers. The main difference between Lumineers and traditional porcelain veneers is that they don’t require any tooth preparation. They are fabricated at the Lumineers laboratory and placed directly onto your teeth. Other types of veneers do require tooth preparation and many excellent cosmetic dentists will recommend them. The preparation ensures a seamless fit, so you cannot see where the natural tooth ends and the veneer begins. To be blunt, Lumineers have many drawbacks cosmetically speaking. They don’t look as lifelike and often make your teeth appear bulky and longer than before. This is largely due to the tooth not being prepared in advance of the placement.

Also, cosmetic dentistry isn’t covered under typical dental insurance. Therefore, they will end up costing approx. $1-2K per Lumineer. So, if your mom was struggling to afford braces, this may be out of reach. But, don’t lose hope. There are other solutions that are more affordable and will address your white spots. The best thing to do is meet with a cosmetic dentist as we mentioned earlier.

In closing, you should have an honest conversation with your mom about how you feel about your smile. If you are open and honest, she will hear you out and hopefully, you can work together to finding the right solution for you. It may be wise to talk to her sooner than later, versus presenting her with a treatment plan. If she knows how kids at school are treating you, she will likely empathize with you and want to do whatever possible to help.

Good luck to you! Hopefully, this will help you determine what the best next steps should be to improve your smile.

This post is sponsored by Lexington cosmetic dentist Hamburg Expressions.