How do you look after veneers and crowns day to day?
Much like natural teeth. Brush twice a day with a soft brush and a mildly abrasive fluoride toothpaste, clean between the teeth once a day, and see a dentist and hygienist regularly. Porcelain does not decay, but the tooth underneath and the gum around it still need care.
Most problems with veneers and crowns start at the edge where porcelain meets tooth and gum. Keeping that edge clean is the main job.
What does a good daily routine look like?
- Brush for two minutes, morning and night, angling the brush towards the gum line
- Use a soft or extra-soft brush; an electric brush is fine
- Clean between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes in the right size
- If you have a bridge or implant teeth, add a water flosser for the areas under the bridge
- Use a fluoride toothpaste that is not very abrasive
What should you avoid?
- Biting very hard things: ice, nut shells, olive stones, pen tops
- Using your teeth as tools to open packets or bottles
- Very abrasive whitening toothpastes and baking soda, which can dull the surface
- Biting straight into hard foods with front teeth, such as hard apples or crusty bread, if your front veneers are new; cutting them into pieces is kinder
None of this is about being fragile. Porcelain is strong in the direction of normal chewing, but sudden sideways force can chip it, just as it can chip a natural tooth.
Do you need a night guard?
If you clench or grind your teeth, yes. Grinding puts heavy, repeated force on porcelain and is one of the most common reasons veneers and crowns chip. A thin custom guard worn at night protects them. Your doctor checks for signs of grinding at the examination and tells you if a guard is advised.
How often should you see a dentist?
Every six months for a check-up and professional cleaning, unless your dentist advises otherwise. Tell the hygienist you have porcelain veneers or crowns, so they use suitable polishing pastes and instruments. Bring your records so they can see the materials and shades used.
What is normal in the first weeks?
Some sensitivity to hot and cold for a few days or weeks, especially if teeth were prepared. Your bite may feel slightly different at first, and your tongue notices the new surfaces. If a tooth stays sensitive, or your bite feels high when you close, tell us; a small adjustment usually solves it.
Will the colour change?
Porcelain keeps its colour very well. Natural teeth darken slowly with age and with coffee, tea, red wine and smoking, so over many years the contrast between veneered and natural teeth can grow. Regular cleaning helps. Whitening does not change porcelain, so plan any whitening before treatment.
What if a veneer or crown chips or comes loose?
Do not try to glue it yourself. If it comes off, keep it in a clean container and send us a photo on WhatsApp. Small chips can often be polished by any dentist. Larger repairs are planned with you, and what is covered is set out in your written aftercare terms.
How long do they last?
With good care, e.max veneers and crowns commonly last ten years or more, and zirconia crowns often longer. Grinding, gum health and the care described above make the biggest difference. Our veneers page explains how they are made, and why hand layering helps the result age naturally.
How do we follow up after you go home?
With video check-ups at 1, 6 and 12 months with the doctor who treated you, and a named contact on WhatsApp in between. You leave with your scans, X-rays, material and shade details, so your dentist at home can see exactly what was done.