Food Choices and Lumineers
The average cost of Lumineers can be well over $1,000 per tooth. Being several thousand dollars lighter, most patients are keen on taking any step(s) necessary to protect their investment. When properly maintained, Lumineers can last for ten or more years. The manufacturer actually stakes the claim that they can last up to 20 years. Now, there is not much information circulating about what patients should do to as far as upkeep is concerned. One common tidbit of advice includes maintaining your oral hygiene. This means regular brushing as well as flossing. This advice warrants some warnings right off the bat. Many toothpastes can actually ruin the Lumineers finish because they are far too abrasive. You need to ask your cosmetic dentist for product recommendations. The damage is sometimes reversible with a polishing session. If you find that you have trouble flossing due to obstructions, you need to let your doctor know. During the procedure, excess cementation is supposed to be thoroughly removed. Any overhanging bonding cement can be irritating in the sense that it feels abnormal, but can also cause aesthetic problems. The bonding agent can stain, making for an eyesore. So if you discover this problem, get it taken care of ASAP!
Regular dental checkups are also a condition of your 5 year Lumineers warranty. If you fail to attend these bi-annual or quarterly (varies from patient-to-patient) appointments, or for some reason fail to have them recorded by your general dentist, you will not be covered in the event of a product malfunction. The warranty does not cover repair of any problems stemming from improper installation.
Most cosmetic dentists don’t advise their patients of any food restrictions. Lumineers are quite durable, but they can fracture with sufficient strain. The problem is further complicated by the fact that cracks cannot be “patched up.” The dentist will have to remove the veneer and replace it with a new one. This can be an immense inconvenience when you factor in the three or so week waiting period for fabrication. As a general rule, avoid hard foods. If you must indulge, slice them into small pieces and distribute chewing power among your molars. This will feel strange at first, but you will become accustomed to it.
Dentists have long asked their patents to abstain from eating sweet foods. Foods with a high sugar content feed colonies of bacteria located on the teeth (as a yellow layer known as plaque). These bacteria convert the sugar into acid, which eats away at the tooth enamel causing caries. Even with Lumineers your teeth are not fully protected against caries. Decay can begin to develop on the inner portion of your teeth. For a person whose teeth are extremely susceptible to decay, a dental crown may be a better option. It surrounds the entire tooth structure.
There is nothing very complicated about keeping your Lumineers in tip-top shape. Follow the advice outlined about and they should remain in pristine condition for years to come. Resist any urges to rapidly chomp down on hard foods with your teeth and keep that sweet tooth in line. The longevity of your Lumineers will increase dramatically with a little self-control.