Lumineers are razor-thin ceramics plates, permanently glued onto your teeth. In contrast to traditional veneers, no dental substance needs to be removed – lumineers are as thin as a contact lens. As a result, pain and complications are excluded, and the main structures of your teeth will be conserved. Your smile not only becomes more beautiful, it is also a healthy smile.

No-prep technique – no grinding down is required

As thin and easy as a contact lens: lumineers

More concerning the topic: what are lumineers?

The regular tooth

Traditional veneers

Lumineers

Click on the corresponding image to read more.

Please also read: Comparison of veneers and lumineers

The natural tooth

In natural teeth, the enamel protectively surrounds the sensitive dentin. Discoloured or damaged enamel is often perceived as aesthetically displeasing.

The current method using traditional veneers required the grinding down of the healthy tooth to up to 2 mm.

Treatment with traditional veneers

Because the thickness of veneers is 0.8 mm and more, the grinding down of healthy dental substance to up to 2 mm is unavoidable. Consequently, the restoration of the pre-treatment status is no longer possible – the dental substance is lost forever.

Lumineers offer excellent aesthetics without any pain and without the need to grind down healthy tooth substance.

Lumineers – the alternative

Constantly improved production and composite techniques now make it possible to produce razor-thin ceramics plates which are permanently adhered to the tooth. No grinding down of tooth substance is required. As a result, the treatment is completely painfree and the pre-treatment status can be restored any time. Even pre-existing crowns can be treated.

These days, the computer-aided production by means of the CAD/CAM technology represents the most professional way to produce tooth replacement: after having been ground down, a mould of the teeth to be treated is taken und a temporary prosthesis applied. A special model is then generated at the practice laboratory based on the moulds. A special scanner is used to scan the prepared model stumps of the teeth.

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A computer then digitalises the obtained information. These three-dimensional images are used by the ultra-modern zirconium oxide production equipment as precise template for the production of tooth replacement that is characterised by outstanding accuracy of fit, precise finish (without marginal gap) and aesthetic perfection.

For the production of bridges and crowns, we are sending the computer-generated data to the Nobel Biocare laboratory in Sweden. A super-precise grinding computer produces a ceramic crown or bridge from the zirconium oxide blank; the finished crown or bridge is delivered to our practice within two business days.

Inlays are produced at our own laboratory: our dental master technicians produce your inlay based on the obtained information. The shape and colour of the tooth are perfectly matched to your other teeth. Superior quality standards and short production times are our main priority – to ensure that you are treated efficiently, allowing you to chew, smile and talk properly again.

After the corresponding screening examination at the practice of Dr. Karst, the patient is required to come to our practice in a fasting status (i. e. no eating and smoking for 4-6 hours; small amounts of fluids are permitted). The anaesthesiologist in cooperation with the nurse anaesthetist will introduce the anaesthesia directly in the specially prepared dental treatment room. The available equipment corresponds to the hospital standard.

After the administration of the anaesthetic drugs, the patient is intubated through the nose or by means of a laryngeal mask (the respiratory mask is placed in front of the larynx, making this a particularly gentle procedure), depending on the scheduled procedure. The anaesthesia is kept at a rate as low as possible to perform the procedure without any pain for the patient. This helps keep the impact on the patient’s circulatory system as low as possible. Therefore, the patient wakes up immediately after the end of the procedure and is able to leave the practice preferably in the presence of a companion after approximately one hour. He will not be allowed to drive a care for the next 24 hours.

Contact address of the anaesthesiologist

Jörg Karst – Facharzt für Anästhesie (specialist for anaesthesiology)
Kronenstr. 55-58
10117 Berlin

• in part major loss of own tooth substance associated with the grinding down needed to accommodate the increased space requirements for the metal-ceramics restoration
• the aesthetic appearance can be reduced due to exposed metal rims, especially after the long-term wear
• metal ions can be released into the tissue of the body, causing irritation and discoloration of the gums among other things.

However, these days the use of modern materials allows us to produce tooth replacement that can no longer be distinguished from natural teeth. As well, the durability of the tooth replacement can be improved significantly.

Zirconium oxide tooth replacement

In dentistry, zirconium oxide is used for the following applications among other things:

• crowns
• inlays in the frontal and lateral tooth area
• bridges

Zirconium oxide bridges

Brilliant aesthetics

With respect to the optical refraction, brilliance and stability, zirconium oxide strongly resembles the natural hard tooth substance. Light rays hitting the surface of the tooth are transmitted to the adjacent gums as a result of the optical refraction by the ceramic substance. This process makes the gum appear vital and healthy. The benefits of this aesthetic appearance are manly due to the fact that no metal is present which interferes with this optical refraction. Consequently, the tooth harmoniously blends in with the existing other teeth.

Good biocompatibility

Zirconium oxide is especially suitable for patients suffering from intolerances to certain materials and metal. From a dentist’s point of view, this type of metalfree treatment is ideal.
The benefits at a glance:

• harmless contents such as oxides of silicon, aluminium sodium and potassium
• very low solubility, high stability against acids
• low plaque accumulation tendency
• no interaction with other materials in the oral cavity
• no chemical decomposition with the formation of toxic decomposition products

In addition, zirconium oxide possesses very high heat insulation properties, allowing the wholehearted enjoyment of cold and hot food.

Tooth replacement with a future

Zirconium oxide ceramics are a tooth replacement with a future. In terms of function and aesthetic appearance, the material closely resembles the natural tooth substance, while perfectly harmonising with the human organism. The lasting treatment success depends on the competent advice, regular prophylaxis and sustained thorough care at the dental practice. If these conditions are met, the prospects for better health, quality of life and daily satisfaction are perfect.

This helps you save valuable time and extensive commuting and your inlays, bridges and implant abutments are processed in a very short period of time with extreme precision. 
It goes without saying that we exclusively use proven, safe, biologically compatible and highest quality materials.

The following work is performed at our practice laboratory

Preparation, creation of moulds

• Repairs and plastics technology
• Complete and partial dentures
• Model-cast dentures
• Splint technique

Casting technique

• Milling and galvanoengineering
• Combined tooth replacement
• Implant-supported tooth replacement
• Metal ceramic restorations
• Full ceramic restorations, veneers

Research studies have shown that inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity can elevate the risk for certain general illnesses. For example, the interaction of periodontitis and disorders of the respiratory tract as well as an elevated risk for myocardial infarction and stroke are discussed. In pregnant women, the connection between disorders of the tooth retaining apparatus and the premature birth rate as well as a low birth weight is striking. In contrast, diabetes, a weakened immune system and not lastly smoking increase the risk for caries and gingivitis.

Professional dental cleaning reduces the risk of tooth loss

A comprehensive summary of all study results and their significance illustrated with words and pictures is part of the prophylactic treatment

Therefore, the systemic dental prophylaxis is targeting four areas:

• removal of adhering dental plaque
• remineralisation of the hard dental substance
• increase of the resilience of the enamel against acids
• inhibition of the bacterial metabolism in the plaque.

New teeth in just one hour – this video was shot by MDR (Central German Broadcasting Corporation) at our practice and illustrates the treatment procedure

Subject to adequate bone substance, the patient receives the permanent implants immediately after the procedure. For the patient, this means reduced treatment time, no need for multiple adjustments of the abutments as well as a functional and aesthetic dentition within a shorter period of time.

Different treatment options are available, depending on the existing dentition and the desired comfort. Whether you are looking for a single tooth replacement (especially in the frontal area), a fixed bridge construction for the treatment of partial tooth loss or a fixed denture to treat complete tooth loss – implants represent a comfortable alternative to conventional tooth replacement in many cases.

The treatment sequence (using an edentulous upper jaw as an example)

Discussion of the treatment plan

The planning template

Low-radiation X-ray

Preparation at our own practice laboratory

Computer-aided planning

The drilling template

The implantation

Insertion of the drilling template

Tooth replacement following the implantation

Stable teeth in just one hour

New stable teeth in just one hour

Further reading:

• “Neue Zähne in einer Stunde” – Dr. Nowak erklärt das Verfahren (MDR Hier ab Vier)
• FAQ about implants
• German Only: Behandlungsablauf
• German only: Was kosten Implantate?

Für Kassenpatienten gilt:

Es sollte immer vor Behandlungsbeginn eine Gesamtplanung so weit es möglich ist erstellt werden! Diese sollte vor Behandlungsbeginn bei der Kasse eingereicht werden. Die Kassen behalten sich besonders bei größeren Versorgungen eine Vorbegutachtung vor. Ist mit der Behandlung bereits begonnen worden, so kann der Patient unter Umständen seinen Kassenzuschuss verlieren oder nur zum Teil ausgezahlt bekommen!

Die Gesamtplanung besteht in der Regel aus mehreren Schritten und Plänen:

1. Implantologische Planung:
   Die gesetzlichen KK geben keinerlei Zuschüsse für die Implantate. Ausnahmen
   sind spezielle Vorerkrankungen (z.B. Zahnnichtanlage oder Krebspatienten nach erfolgreicher Behandlung), die in der Regel nicht zutreffen und speziell durch die Krankenkassen begutachtet werden müssen.
   Für diesen Behandlungsabschnitt erhält der Patient einen sogenannten “implantologischen Kostenplan”. Die Kosten für diesen Behandlungsteil trägt der Patient in der Regel komplett selber
2. Provisorische Versorgung:
   Für die provisorische Versorgung, falls nötig, mit einem herausnehmbaren Klammerprovisorium oder einer Vollprothese gibt es einen entsprechenden Kassenkostenplan, der vorher von der Krankenkasse genehmigt werden muss.
   Wenn die Versorgung mit einem festsitzenden zahn- oder implantatgetragenen Provisorium erfolgen soll, kann auch hier zumindest eine teileweise Kostenübernahme durch die gesetzliche Krankenkasse erfolgen. Auch hierfür muss ein spezieller sog. “andersartiger” Kassenkostenplan erstellt und durch die Krankenkasse genehmigt werden. Leider werden diese festsitzenden provisorischen Versorgungen nicht von jeder gesetzlichen Krankenkasse genehmigt. Der Patient trägt dann auch diese Behandlungskosten komplett selber.
3. Prothetische Versorgung (Endgültiger Zahnersatz)
   Für die prothetische Behandlungsphase /Anfertigung des endgültigen Zahnersatzes) wird wiederum ein sog. “andersartiger” Kassenkostenplan erstellt.
   Der sog. “andersartige” Kassenkostenplan besteht aus zwei Teilen:
   Zum einen aus der Kassenplanung mit dem entsprechenden Kassenzuschuss und zum anderen aus der eigentlich durchzuführenden implantatprothetischen Versorgung. Der von der Krankenkasse dann festgelegt Festzuschuss kann dann
   als eine Art “Anzahlung” mit der eigentlichen Versorgung verrechnet werden, wenn der Patient diesen Zuschuss an die Praxis abgetreten hat. Der Zuschuss der Krankenkasse ist Abhängig von der Anzahl, Lage und Zustand der restlichen natürlichen Zähne.

Wenn der Kassen Patient eine private Zusatzversicherung abgeschlossen hat, so kann auch hier ein entsprechender Zuschuss durch die private Zusatzversicherung erfolgen. Auch hier sollten entsprechende Pläne vorab eingereicht werden. In der Regel erfolgt die Auszahlung abhängig vom Kassenzuschuss.

Für Privatpatienten gilt:

Auch hier sollte immer vor Behandlungsbeginn eine Gesamtplanung so weit es möglich ist erstellt werden! Diese sollte vor Behandlungsbeginn bei der Kasse eingereicht werden. Die Kassen behalten sich besonders bei größeren Versorgungen eine Vorbegutachtung vor. Ist mit der Behandlung bereits begonnen worden, so kann der Patient unter Umständen seinen Kassenzuschuss verlieren oder nur zum Teil ausgezahlt bekommen!

In der Regel bekommt der Patient drei Kostenpläne:

Einen für die implantologische Phase (für das Setzen der Implantate)
Einen für die provisorische Versorgung, wenn nötig
Einen für die endgültige Versorgung

Based on refined surgical techniques and more mature materials, the average success rate for the first 5-10 years after the implantation is 95 %. However, in the majority of cases, they last much longer. These days, it is safe to say that the function of dental implants is identical to any other dental reconstructions.

Does the bone substance diminish faster around implants compared to edentulous areas?

No. An initial decrease of 1-2 mm – usually up to the thread of the implant screw – is only observed during the first 1-2 years, while the dental roots adjust to the high mechanical chewing forces in the mouth. After that, the bone diminishes by 0.1 mm per year, similar to the bone surrounding natural teeth.

How long does the implant treatment take?

As a rule of thumb, the following applies to regular implant treatments: in the lower jaw, implants osseointegrate within 2-4 months; the complete treatment including tooth replacement will take slightly more than 6 months. For the upper jaw, the wait time is 3-5 months, depending on the bone quality. Another 8-10 weeks are required for the exposure of the implants and the associated tooth replacement; in other words, the patient will be waiting up to 8 months for his new teeth.

Teeth in an Hour: thanks to this technique, it is now possible to set implants at a precision that allows the production of the dentures ahead of time at our own practice laboratory. Subject to adequate bone substance, the patient receives the permanent implants immediately after the procedure. For the patient, this means reduced treatment time, no need for multiple adjustments of the abutments as well as a functional and aesthetic dentition within a shorter period of time. Even the immediate limited application of load is possible.

Is the implant treatment painful?

IThe continuous improvement and accuracy of the implant methods make sure that implants can be set with absolute precision. This is done without the prior opening of the oral mucous membrane, i. e. by means of a minimally invasive procedure. The three-dimensional diagnostics performed beforehand are designed to make sure that none of the main vessels or nerves will be injured. In other words, the wound generally heals quickly. Minor pain for up to three days following the implantation procedure is possible, but it is treatable with conventional pain killers.

What types of implant systems are you using?

We exclusively rely on CE-certified quality products from major companies because the research and product development must comply with strict benchmarks, excellent testing and approval of the implants must be guaranteed and because we must be able to obtain potentially required system parts 10 years from now. So-called cheap implants or generic products manufactured abroad may more frequently result in damage or inaccuracies involving the implants.

How long will I feel discomfort after the procedure?

Depending on the general health condition, you should take some extra care for the first 2-5 days. Minor swelling may occur which recedes quickly (with the use of ice packs). Pain is generally only expected to occur on the day of surgery and can be suppressed with prescribed analgesics.

I have been wearing removable dentures for an extended period of time and my jaw bone has degenerated. Can I still get implants?

The purpose of the three-dimensional x-ray diagnostics by means of our volume tomophraphy device is to measure the existing jaw bone and to plan the precise position of the implants on the computer. Therefore it is possible in many cases, including cases with degenerated bone substance, to set the implants without prior bone augmentation. Different options are available, such as setting several shortened implants or setting implants with special angles. Even with severe bone degradation, it may be possible to set implants following bone augmentation. Please ask your dentist about the possible bone augmentation procedures.

How do I care for my implants?

After your new tooth replacement has been integrated, you will receive special hygiene technique instructions. Excellent tools for dental and implant hygiene at home are available. In addition, you will receive regular follow-up treatments from our oral hygiene specialists at the practice.

What is the cost for dental implants?

Your dentist or implant specialist will explain 2-3 treatment options to you. It will be up to you to decide whether you wish to receive standard, customised or optimal treatment, depending on the benefit-expense ratio.