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Naperville Lumineers
Lumineers are a brand of porcelain veneers that have been heavily marketed. They are made by Den-Mat, a dental products company in California.
Den-Mat has done a lot of good in helping people understand how porcelain veneers can improve their smiles. But there are some misconceptions that have been created which we would like to clear up.
Helpful Information about Lumineers that You May Not Know
- Many people think that Lumineers are unique. In reality, they are only one brand of porcelain veneers. They do have greater strength than some other brands, so they can be made thinner. But other brands are just as strong and can be made just as thin. DURAthin and Vivaneers are two other brands that have these characteristics.
- The brand of ultra-thin porcelain veneers that seems to be most preferred by expert cosmetic dentists is DURAthin.
- Some people have a misconception about Lumineers certification. When a dentist pays a fee to Den-Mat and attends a Lumineers course, he or she is granted certification. But there is no test required to get this certification. And any properly trained cosmetic dentist knows how to place porcelain veneers of any brand. And there is much training in smile design, color, art, and technique that the Lumineers course doesn't address. So be careful not to put too much emphasis on this certification.
- Den-Mat requires that all Lumineers be made at their large dental laboratory in California. Work from this laboratory has been criticized by cosmetic dentists as not being very artistic. Common criticisms are that the teeth are made too long and too bulky, and that the coloration is too opaque, flat-looking, and not lifelike.
The photographs below are a sample of work from the Lumineers laboratory. These photos were actually posted on the Lumineers website as a "case of the month" from December 2008.
 Before |
 After |
Expert cosmetic dentists have criticized this case and similar cases that they have promoted. They have said that the teeth in the "after" photograph look too bulky and they make her face look fatter.
By comparison, check photographs of Dr. Newkirk's porcelain veneers work. He is known nationally and internationally for the beautiful smiles he creates.
