If not placed correctly, Lumineers may appear too bulky.
Lumineers can enhance a person's smile by revealing brighter, whiter and straighter teeth. Unlike porcelain veneers, Lumineers do not require drilling the enamel of the tooth in order to place the Lumineer on the tooth. Lumineers are as thin as a contact lens, yet they are incredibly strong according to the official website of Lumineers. With any procedure, however, there can be risks and possible problems that are encountered by the patient. Before having Lumineers applied by a dentist, check to make sure he is accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Cracking
Lumineers are promoted and advertised as being very easy to apply and this has a tendency to attract many dentists who may want to offer this service within their own offices. Unfortunately, some dentists will not receive the proper training that is necessary to apply Lumineers. Cosmetic dentistry is different than general dentistry and not all dentists are thoroughly trained in the art of cosmetic dentistry. If a dentist does not properly bond the Lumineers to the tooth, this can result in the Lumineer cracking and pieces of it falling off.
Color Matching
If a dentist decides to offer Lumineers in his own office, there is a two-day training course that he can attend. However, a two-day training course is insufficient according to Dr. Mike Malone. He expresses that dentists wishing to offer cosmetic dentistry services need years of training and experience to be competent in the field. Color matching can be difficult in the process of Lumineers. Lumineers are slightly translucent and the color of the tooth underneath the Lumineer can affect the actual result.
Bulky or Buck Teeth
Lumineers do not require "prep" of the teeth or shaving down any of the enamel. This can sometimes result in teeth appearing too bulky once Lumineers are applied. The way an individual's teeth are shaped can have a large impact on the final result of Lumineers. If a person has "buck" teeth or teeth that slightly slant out, it would not be appropriate to apply Lumineers because the end result will not be flattering. With that in mind, Lumineers are not right for every individual.
Black Triangles
Sometimes an inexperienced cosmetic dentist will apply Lumineers to a patient and make the mistake of not applying the Lumineer all the way up to the gum line. The Lumineer, in a case like this, also probably does not fit the tooth properly in the first place. This can result in what cosmetic dentists have labeled "Black Triangles" disease. The result of this is the unflattering look of a dark space in between the teeth.
