Lumineers Costs: Types, Size & Case Difficulty
Table of Contents
- Veneers & Lumineers
- Factors Influencing Cost
- Lumineers & Insurance Coverage
- What Are Lumineers?
- Suitable Dental Conditions
Lumineers are a brand-name dental veneer. According to surveys conducted by CostHelper, Lumineers cost between $700 and $1,300 per tooth. The exact cost depends on the size needed, the difficulty of placing them, where you get them put on, and your specific oral health.
Veneers and Lumineers are typically considered cosmetic. Therefore, they are not generally covered by insurance.
What are lumineers?
Lumineers are ultra-thin, about the size of a contact lens, and customized to your teeth. They are also semi-permanent, which means that they can be removed if requested without harming your teeth. For some people, this ability to remove the shells makes the cost of Lumineers worth it.
Lumineers require little to no prep time, as opposed to traditional veneers, and your teeth will not have to be ground down before placing them. If your teeth are already fragile, they might be right for you.
Suitable dental conditions for Lumineers
Like all types of veneers, Lumineers are suitable devices for people with teeth that are discolored, cracked, or slightly misaligned.
Researchers say that people with Lumineers must pay close attention to their oral hygiene. A small gap between the veneers and the teeth could allow cavities to form. It’s also important for people to be very careful with their Lumineers, as they can crack when hit hard.
Veneers & Lumineers
Veneers are used to cover up discolored or broken teeth. They are bonded onto the teeth to make them look better. They are typically considered to be cosmetic, as they are designed to improve appearance.
There are several types of veneers. This table can help you understand the costs, risks, and benefits of each one:
Type | What Is It? | Cost | Longevity Estimate | Benefits |
Porcelain | Ceramic materials bonded permanently to teeth | $1,000-$2,500 per tooth | Up to 20 years | Reliable form of veneer people have used for years |
Composite | Composite materials bonded permanently to teeth | $400-$2,500 per tooth | Up to 7 years | Low expense for people who need something done now |
Lumineers | Semi-permanent materials glued to teeth without intense preparation | $750-$1,300 | Unknown | Removable and replaceable without damaging the underlying teeth |
These are the traditional form of veneers, and they are bonded permanently to your teeth. The ceramic materials resist future stains. They last an average of 10 to 15 years and often for as long as 20 years. Porcelain veneers cost between $1,000 and $2,500 per tooth.
These are made from the same material used for tooth-colored fillings for cavities. They last about half the time of traditional porcelain veneers (5 to 7 years), but they also cost less at about $400 to $2,000 per tooth.
Lumineers are more translucent than traditional porcelain veneers. They are semi-permanent, and they take less time to apply than traditional veneers. Lumineers cost between $750 and $1,300 per tooth.
Lumineers are made exclusively by DenMat Lab in California. The company doesn’t provide estimates for how long the products last, and researchers haven’t settled on a final durability figure either.
This is a special type of veneer that only covers the part of the tooth that is damaged. Since palatal veneers do not cover the entire tooth, they are less invasive and expensive. Palatal veneers usually cost between $650 and $1,200 per tooth.
These are usually snap-on, custom-made, and completely removable. These veneers generally cost the least, between $470 and $600 for lower and upper impressions, but they also can be more of a hassle and not be as seamless as permanent veneers.
Veneers application requires at least three appointments, while Lumineers can typically take two visits.
Factors Influencing Cost
There are a variety of reasons that Lumineers can vary in cost, including:
The size and amount of material needed. The bigger they are, the more they are going to cost.
The number of teeth you are covering. Generally, it is recommended to only place Lumineers on the teeth that are visible to help keep costs down.
Oral health. If other procedures must be done first or prep work needs to be more extensive, the cost can go up.
Difficulty of placement. If the teeth are more difficult to reach and place Lumineers on, it can increase the cost.
Where the procedure is done. Cost can depend on the dental professional placing your Lumineers and your geographical location.
Lumineers require little to no prep time, as opposed to traditional veneers, and your teeth will not have to be ground down before placing them.1 Lumineers are ultra-thin, about the size of a contact lens, and customized to your teeth. They are also semi-permanent, which means that they can be removed if requested without harming your teeth.
Lumineers & Insurance Coverage
Typically, Lumineers and veneers will not be covered by dental insurance, as they are considered cosmetic and elective.2
If veneers are needed due to tooth sensitivity, they can be classified as medically necessary. Then, you can get some costs offset through insurance. This depends on your specific insurance policy, provider, and plan.
A dental discount plan may be able to help you save money on Lumineers. Many dental offices and professionals also offer financing or payment plans to help make the cost of Lumineers more affordable.