I have 6 Lumineers. They are about 12 yrs old. They are still in good shape, but last month I a noticed that two of them each have a gray stain at the margin. It’s been about 5 months since the cleaning and before that last cleaning I don’t think the veneers looked gray. I am wondering if some damage might have been done to my Lumineers then. Is there a way to get the stain out? Mona
Mona – Lumineers, like other brands of porcelain veneers, are stain resistant and color stable. Older veneers can have a stain at the edge that affects the first one or two millimeters of the veneer. If this is the case with your veneers, the margin of them has broken down and tiny particles are getting between the two veneers and each tooth. This occurrence is referred to as microleakage, and it is not likely related to the cleaning that you had five months ago. It is important to get the veneers repaired to prevent decay from occurring.
Although the issue with your Lumineers probably isn’t related to your dental cleaning, Lumineers should only be maintained by a dentist and hygienist with specific training in the care of porcelain veneers. If the wrong dental tools are used on your Lumineers, the glaze on your veneers, or the veneers themselves, can crack. Care must be taken to avoid damaging them.
In some cases, the tooth beneath the veneer may be decaying and darkening. It is possible for deep discoloration of a natural tooth to show through your Lumineers.
Have a skilled cosmetic dentist examine your veneers. If microleakage is occurring, the stain can’t be polished out. The two veneers will need to be replaced.
This post is sponsored by Baton Rouge dentist Dr. Steven Collins.