So, you’ve decided to take the plunge and get a set of Lumineers® for your teeth, enhancing your beautiful smile. Congratulations! But, before you walk out of the dentist’s office to show off your new pearly whites, it’s important that you know how to properly care for your new Lumineers.
Before we talk about care instructions, you should first understand exactly what Lumineers are. In fact, the term is a name brand, referring to an exclusive type of dental veneer made from an ultra-thin layer of Cerinate® porcelain. Cerinate is a patented porcelain material that is only used on the Lumineers brand of veneers.
Applying Lumineers is somewhat similar to applying other types of dental veneers to teeth. The thin porcelain material, which has been custom manufactured based on an exact mold of the teeth, is applied with a permanent bonding agent to the front surface of the tooth. The primary difference between applying Lumineers and other types of dental veneers, however, is that because the material is so ultra-thin, they can be adhered to a tooth without requiring the removal of a layer of the existing tooth’s surface.
This fact alone makes them a big draw for patients for two reasons. For one, the procedure of adhering these ultra-thin veneers is very quick and painless, since no portion of the tooth needs to be removed in order for them to be applied. The second reason that Lumineers are a popular choice is the fact that since no tooth structure is compromised, they do not have to be a permanent solution and can be removed at any point that a patient desires. However, most patients opt to enjoy the beauty of their bright, white teeth indefinitely and do not remove the veneers – and the good news is that with proper care, they can last as much as 20 years or more.
The secret to enjoying Lumineers for so many years is making sure that they are properly cared for. With proper care, you can expect to enjoy many years of beautiful, white smiles. So, here are some care instructions to keep in mind for your new porcelain veneers:
- Brush and floss – Just as with natural teeth, the key to keeping your Lumineers looking and feeling good is to maintain a proper oral hygiene regimen. This means that you should brush your teeth regularly and should be sure to floss between teeth as well. This helps to remove particles and bacteria that can damage teeth, as well as the surface of the veneers.
- Keep to regular dental visits – One of the best ways to keep your teeth and gums healthy, aside from a daily routine of proper oral hygiene, is to visit your dentist regularly for professional cleanings (every six months is recommended). This will help to keep your teeth and gums healthy, and if there are any stains that begin to show on your Lumineers, the dentist can address them and work to remove them before they become permanent.
- Avoid staining foods and liquids – Over time, foods and beverages with dark hues can stain teeth, whether they are natural or they are covered by Lumineers, if used repeatedly. Tea, coffee, some types of dark fruit juices, and smoking can cause the surface to stain or dull over time. For the most part, however, Lumineers are resistant to dulling and staining.
- Watch what you bite – Not only do you want to keep your Lumineers looking bright and white, but you want to make sure they don’t crack or break. The material used to manufacture these veneers is very durable, but just like a natural tooth, biting hard objects can result in unwanted damage. So avoid biting or chewing on objects like ice, fingernails, pens and similar items.
With proper care that is virtually no different than caring for natural teeth, patients can enjoy the beauty that Lumineers offers for years and years to come.
For more information about Lumineers in Queens, contact Park Dental Care at 718-274-1515.
