| HOME CARE FOR PORCELAIN LAMINATE VENEERS
AND CROWNS. Home care and proper plaque control comprise the most important element of any restorative treatment, especially in the long-term success of custom porcelain laminate veneers and crowns. Without adequate plaque control measure, this treatment is destined to fail because of recurrent decay and/or gingival-periodontal disease. In addition, certain foods, oral habits, and certain types of professional care should be avoided. PLAQUE CONTROL
In order to obtain maximum longevity and appearance of the custom laminate veneers, one should brush and floss at least two times per day - preferably upon awakening and before retiring. Brushing should be done with a soft tooth brush and flossing should be accomplished with a waxed dental floss. Anti-tartar, desensitizing, and specific agent plaque control toothpastes should be avoided because these may injure the veneer or the bond between the actual tooth and the porcelain veneer. Other abrasive home care materials such as baking soda may also cause damage and should be limited. In addition, some anti-plaque rinses may cause staining and should be avoided. Your dentist will discuss these home care materials on an individual basis. MATERIALS, FOODS, AND HABITS
Tobacco (cigarettes, pipes, chewing), coffee, tea, and colas should be avoided, as these will stain the interface between the tooth and the custom laminate. Hard chewing foods such as raw carrots, hard apples, or hard candy are best omitted or pre-sliced as these may fracture the porcelain laminate or cause the bonding to fail. Miscellaneous habits such as biting fingernails, pipes, or “sewing needles” can cause similar failures of the porcelain veneer and should be avoided. In addition, if you happen to be a bruxer (“tooth grinder”) or “clencher”, your dentist may ask you to wear a custom fitted dental appliance at night. This may minimize any damage you may cause to yourself. PROFESSIONAL CARE
Teeth, as well as porcelain laminates, should be professionally cleaned and examined at least every six months for wear and possible defects. You should make the professional dental care personnel aware of the presence of the laminates, as tender care should be exercised in scraping in, around, and on the laminate. Excessive scaling may cause the laminate to fail. Dental prophy pastes and professional fluoride applications, such as your hygienist might use, are also harmful to laminates and these should be avoided. A porcelain polishing paste may be more useful to clean and polish these materials. Although we have listed a long series of “do’s” and “don’ts”, appropriate care of these laminates will afford you many years of use providing you the esthetics that you desired when you originally opted for this treatment. It must be remembered that these materials are relatively new in the range of dental treatment modalities. Our information thus far indicates that, if you follow these guidelines, you will have the greatest potential to maximize the longevity and appearance of your porcelain veneers. | | |
