I had Lumineers put on my top teeth several years ago. I remember that my dentist told me to be careful about who I let clean them, and to always make sure that they knew how to take care of porcelain veneers, but I can’t remember if he said anything about bleaching. My dentist retired, and I don’t really have a new one yet.I had the top teeth done, but did nothing to fix the bottom ones. Can I bleach my teeth now, without harming the Lumineers?
Lynn in Marlboro
Dear Lynn,
I am a little confused about what you are asking, but I’ll try to help. First, bleaching does not harm porcelain veneers. It also will do nothing to change their color, either. Your Lumineers are the same color, all the way through, and no amount of bleaching is going to change that. I hope when you had them placed that you chose the shade you wanted, rather than matching it to your lower, unbleached teeth.
You absolutely can whiten your lower teethwithout worrying about any harm coming to your Lumineers, though.
You should find a new dentist, soon. After investing in Lumineers, you don’t want to lose your beautiful smile to neglect. You should look for a cosmetic dentist, one who has received accreditation from the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. An accredited cosmetic dentist will have staff trained in the care of porcelain veneers, so you won’t have to worry about an uninformed hygienist destroying the finish.
