Most of you know that Lumineers exist as a feasible alternative to dental veneers. In an earlier post, we described some of the main differences between the two to give you some idea of which might be more ideal for your situation. In this post, we will be going over how much Lumineers cost and give you some specific tips in regards to how to pay for Lumineers.
Lumineers are in many senses identical to dental veneers. They are thin sheets of porcelain that are bonded to teeth to drastically improve their appearance. Since Lumineers are much thinner than traditional veneers, they require reduced extraction of tooth enamel and thus a less invasive procedure. Since the workload in installing these veneers is far less demanding, the Lumineers cost per tooth is significantly lower than that of traditional veneers. You will find that the Lumineers cost per tooth will indeed vary as you go from dentist to dentist. However, it can be more than half as expensive as it would be to have veneers installed in the same location.
To give you more of a tangible figure, the cost of dental Lumineers usually starts at $600 or $700 per tooth. It can go up from there – even into the range of dental veneers. Thus, you can see that the cost of dental lumineers can be significantly less that that of traditional veneers. Remember that just because something costs more doesn’t necessarily mean its better. These veneers work out perfectly for some, while not so extravagantly for others. Keep an open mind as you are trying to decide between the two. It’d be rather stupid to simply choose on the sole grounds that it’s more expensive. Further, don’t select a particular doctor because his Lumineers cost is significantly less than a comparable doctor. Remember, that when something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you ask a particular dentist how much Lumineers cost at their office, and they give you what appears to be a lowball, it’d be in your best interest to look for another dentist.
So what are some ways you can get around the cost of Lumineers? For one, you should really try to get in touch with your insurance company. While some will refuse to cover this type of procedure, other might agree to pay for it in full or may agree to pick up part of the tab. The cost of Lumineers can really be offset if your insurance company decides to chip in with some money. The price of Lumineers with insurance can either be the same (which it is in most cases) or it can be largely in your benefit. Some insurance companies will offset your Lumineers cost, while others won’t. We aren’t ones to say what particular companies will or won’t cover the procedure. However, unless you circumstances are convincing, it’s likely that you insurance company won’t chip in towards the Lumineers cost.
You can also ask some family members or friends to lend you money for your procedure. The Lumineers price is anything but excessive, thus your acquaintances should be more than willing to donate some money for your smile transformation. If they’re willing to borrow you money, take them up on the offer. There’s really nothing wrong with having to pay them back. Also, you may want to remember that such a loan from a bank could cost you much more in the long run. If you were getting dental veneers, such a loan would probably be out of the question (considering the cost of Lumineers compared to veneers). However, the Lumineers price is nowhere near as exorbitant as that of dental veneers. On this note, if someone offers to borrow you money, don’t think twice about it. Again, it is important to note that the Lumineers price can skyrocket if you fail to go to a qualified dentist. A dentist who is inexperienced in installing Lumineers can botch the procedure beyond belief. This can mean several thousands of dollars in additional cost to you. You’d be amazed at how high the Lumineers price can grow if you’re negligent in finding a qualified doctor.
In the end, you’re the only one who can make the final decision. We’ve laid out the most important things you need to know about dental veneers and Lumineers and now it is up to you to decide what the next step is. Don’t feel rushed and be sure to consult anyone who you may think will be of help in expediting your decision-making process. The main point that’s to be had from this post is that the Lumineers dental price is extremely minute when placed alongside that of dental veneers. In essence, the Lumineers prices have put a new smile within just about everyone’s reach. If you’re in a financial mess at the moment, but really need a new smile, Lumineers are your best bet. If you know for a fact that the Lumineers cost is far too much at this point in time, it’d be best to wait before going ahead with the procedure. You don’t want to strain your financial situation by piggybacking the Lumineers cost at a time when you know you can’t handle it.
To finish up this post, we’ve decided to look at some questions which our readers may have regarding Lumineers.
Does the dentist cost for putting Lumineers on vary from area to area?
Yes, the cost for getting Lumineers installed does vary from area to area. It can also vary within a specific area as you move from dentist to dentist. If a specific dentist charges more than you’d like for the procedure, don’t be scared to shop around. There is typically more than one dentist per area that provides this type of procedure. Make sure you conduct all the research you can on the dentists in your area before choosing to go with a specific one. A botched Lumineers procedure is something your really don’t want to deal with. Don’t let inexperienced dentists lure you in with extremely low Lumineeers costs. You should be able to see right through such ploys.
Will insurance companies cover Lumineers?
We’ve talked about this above. Some insurance companies choose to cover Lumineers while others won’t. It depends on the circumstances surrounding your decision to undergo your procedure. Contact your insurance carrier for further details. The Lumineers cost can be offset by an insurance company either fully or partially.
I can’t afford to get all of my teeth Lumineers, what should I do?
If you can’t afford to get Lumineers on all your teeth you have nothing to worry about. You can get individual teeth done until you can afford to have the remainder of your teeth outfitted with the Lumineers. The Lumineers cost may be more (in the long run) if you choose to have your teeth done individually.
Problems with Lumineers
As advanced and effective as Luminners are, problems with Lumineers do indeed exist. Remember, Lumineers are not very distant in nature from veneers. Thus, they are also prone to many of the problems that are associated with dental veneers. Below we will be discussing the problems dental Lumineers are prone to. We think you’ll find what we’ve described below about dental Lumineers to be very similar to our post on the problems associated with veneers.
Lumineers are far thinner than traditional veneers. Their thin nature allows for easier application with less removal of existing tooth enamel. While this is a plus for both the dentist and the patient, it can become a nightmare rather quickly. Since the teeth require much less preparation, the Lumineers can simply slide off without much warning. This is one of the bigger Lumineers complications, and a reason to think carefully before deciding to go with these veneers.
Aside from their susceptibility to falling off, Lumineers are also capable of cracking if presented with the right conditions. A cracked Lumineer can be very apparent and quickly diminish the look of your smile. These veneers are much more prone to cracking (even more than porcelain veneers) because they lack sufficient thickness. The cracking issue likely ranks in as second in the list of worst Lumineers complications.
Finally, Lumineers make it difficult for a dentist to seamlessly integrate them with existing teeth. With little tooth preparation, Lumineers can’t really be adjusted to fit perfectly on your teeth. This can lead to many problems down the line, including a gap between your teeth and the Lumineers – something that can directly lead to tooth decay. Remember, not having to prepare your existing teeth is not always a good thing.
So, how can you prevent at least some of the problems intertwined with Lumineers? First, you should make sure you get Lumineers only at the suggested age to get Lumineers. While there is no set age for these veneers, the suggested age to get Lumineers that most cosmetic dentists will agree with is 18+ years old. The mere reason for this age requirement is to make sure that your teeth are fully grown.
You should take you time and explore all your options before you decide to go for Lumineers. You don’t want to go though the procedure to find that you hate your Lumineers. It can be difficult to remove Lumineers and return to your existing teeth, thus the choice you end up making should benefit you in the long run. With your teeth, always think for the long term and never for the short term. The financial aspect of Lumineers should also be considered extremely carefully. Some people simply can’t afford to tackle Lumineers cost at the moment. If you know you’re in a tight financial situation, don’t force yourself to piggyback Lumineers costs. Lumineers can be life altering, and should be considered carefully before any sort of investment is made, whether it be in the form of searching for a dentist or investing money in a particular dentist for the Lumineers procedure itself.