ultra-thin porcelain veneers are so thin that they can be bonded directly to the

surface of a tooth without needing to trim it back first. Since no drilling is

involved, an anesthetic isn't needed either.Ultra-thin laminates are generally d
efined as those that can be crafted to tolerances as thin as .2 to .3 millimeter
s. That's less than 1/64th of an inch, and similar to the thickness of a contact
lens.
In comparison, the minimal thickness for a conventional porcelain veneer typical
ly lies on the order of at least .5mm. That might not seem like much of a differ
ence. But when an additional thickness is added to your tooth it really is.There
are several brand names associated with the subject of no-prep, ultra-thin porc
elain veneers. Lumineers (DenMat Holdings) is simply one of these brands.
While it's probably the best known one (due to both its extensive advertising ca
mpaigns and having been on the market the longest), there are some equivalent pr
oducts. They include Vivaneers (Glidewell Laboratories) and DURAthin (Experience D
ental Studio).One thing that makes the Lumineers brand unique is that their venee
rs are made out of Cerinate porcelain (DenMat Holdings).
This product is exceptionally strong and that characteristic helps to make it po
ssible for these veneers to be so thin. Cerinate products are only available to d
entists through one of DenMat's Smile Design Studios.
General advantages of no-prep vs. conventional placement.
Tooth conservation.
The fact that no tooth structure is trimmed away makes no-drilling placement one
of dentistry's most conservative procedures. And at least in theory a reversibl
e one. (Although possibly just in theory.)
Nothing to fear.
No requirement for tooth trimming makes this procedure ideal for people who want
to make a change but are generally fearful of having dental work performed.
Minimal tooth sensitivity.
Since treated teeth remain generally undisturbed, post-placement sensitivity is
seldom a problem. This isn't always the case with conventional veneers.
A very secure bond is created.
No-preparation veneers are bonded directly to tooth enamel and this is the stron
gest, most predictable and lasting type of bond created in dentistry.
In comparison, during the trimming process that takes place with conventional ve
neering technique it's possible that some of the tooth's dentin will be exposed
(the tooth layer under enamel). Bonding to dentin is less secure than enamel.
Better, not best.
Even with all of these advantages, this technique does have disadvantages and cr
iticisms. So it's probably best said that versus conventional veneers, no-prepar
ation placement isn't better but simply different. (It has different preferred a
pplications, see below.)