I had porcelain veneers done. They look much nicer than my normal teeth. I’ve had them about six months now. I noticed my gums would occasionally bleed, which has never happened to me before I received my Lumineers. When I went in for my checkup, they told me I have gum disease. I was pretty shocked because I am quite diligent about my oral health care. I’m one of those people who actually do floss daily. I even use a water pick afterward to get what I couldn’t. Could this be a result of the Lumineers or is something else going on?
Carrie A.
Dear Carrie,
Lumineers or any other brand of porcelain veneers will not promote gum disease. However, poorly placed porcelain veneers will. You said your dentist provided you with Lumineers. These are often marketed to inexperienced cosmetic dentists. Is it possible you just went to an average family dentist instead of one with more expertise?
If your dentist didn’t get the Lumineers flush against your teeth it can cause what is called bulky margins. Essentially, you have a tiny shelf on top of your veneers which is trapping minuscule pieces of food. This can lead to bacteria, decay, and yes, gum disease.
The only way to fix it is to have them redone properly. You can either give your dentist another opportunity or just ask for a refund and go to a cosmetic dentist with more expertise.
Choosing a Cosmetic Dentist
When it comes to certain cosmetic procedures, such as teeth whitening, any cosmetic dentist will do. But, there are certain procedures, such as porcelain veneers or dental bonding, which require cosmetic dentists of the highest skill and artistry.
The problem most patients face is there is no way for them to know who is a skilled cosmetic dentist and who isn’t. After all, cosmetic dentistry isn’t a recognized specialty. Rather than have to research every dentist’s skill, training, and technical knowledge, I’m going to recommend you check the mynewsmile.com website. They’ve researched dentists in each state and only list those with the skill requisite to giving you an absolutely gorgeous smile. In fact, most of them even have a beautiful smile guarantee.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. Warren Krutchick.