How to Clean a Porcelain Veneer?

Many inexperienced offices, ones that  are not exposed to modern materials, will use the "gritty" toothpaste that is used on the enamel of teeth.  The "gritty" paste is great on teeth, but NOT porcelain veneers.  Experienced offices will have on hand and use diamond polishing paste.

Cavitrons are fine if the hygienist knows how to use it and which setting is best for porcelain veneers.  Cavitrons would only be used along the edges where the tooth structure is and not on the veneer itself.  If a veneer can debond from this, then it would be considered a GOOD thing, as that would indicate that it was poorly done in the first place and a proper veneer could be placed instead.  Well bonded veneers simply don't debond.

Hi LosAngeles3933

Your home care should consist of proper brushing with a soft-bristle brush and a non-abrasive toothpaste, as well as daily flossing.

A well trained hygienist can use the cavitron without any problems.  If the hygienist uses prophy cups to polish (the rubber cups on the hand-piece) then a special paste is necessary.  If the hygienist uses a prophy jet  (a better way to polish without spinning rubber cups) then the regular jet-powder is just fine.

Porcelain Veneers requires special care and attention to ensure they last a long time.  When brushing I would recommend avoid using a toothpaste that contains more abrasive particles.  Many of thesewill  fall under the category of "Whitening Toothpastes".  Think of you porcelain veneers like a white porcelain kitchen sink.  You would not want to use an abrasive cleaner frequently, as this would create scratches and remove the shiny glaze and.  This would lead to a dull finish and easy staining can occur.   Same is true with your porcelain veneers.

When you are having a professional cleaning done by a hygienist I would also recommend a few precautions.  First make sure that they avoid using a Cavitron (Ultra-Sonic Scaler) directly on the veneers.  This could cause cracking or chipping at the thin margins of the veneers.  Also, make certain that they use a special polishing paste designed specifically for Porcelain Veneers.

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When you clean a veneer, use a soft bristled tooth brush, and gently massage the front side of the veneered tooth. Dental plaque doesn't adhere to porcelain the same way it does to enamel, so it doesn't require the same amount of time and strokes of a toothbrush that enamel requires. 

If at the dental office, they should use a special paste made for porcelain, which is usually a very fine diamond polishing paste on the porcelain if they use anything at all.

You pose an excellent question. Whereas properly placed and polished porcelain veneers should be relatively maintenance free, there are some things that dental offices and you can do to extend the live of these veneers. Using a non -abrasive toothpaste is better for the veneer and your teeth as well.  For preventive appointments, it is best to polish the veneers with a paste designed for porcelain such as Proxyt.  

I think the jury is still out there on whether a cavitron or other instruments can damage the veneers at the margin of a well done veneer.  I have seen some of my cases doing great after 18 years.   All in all, be safe and ask the hygienist to use products designed for porcelain veneers.