How to Extend the Life of E-max Crown Veneers?

Thanks to their lithium disilicate glass-ceramic structure, E-max crowns are among today's most aesthetic and durable dental restorations. Because they are the material closest to natural teeth in terms of light transmittance, they offer excellent aesthetics and a strong, long-lasting solution. However, maximizing the longevity of this permanent solution is largely in your hands.

With proper care and a few habits, you can enjoy your E-max crowns with the same aesthetics as the first day for 15 years or more. So, what's the secret to a bright, healthy smile? Here are three key ways to extend the life of your E-max crowns:

1. Meticulous and Complete Daily Oral Care

Regardless of the quality of your E-max veneers, poor oral hygiene can damage both the veneers themselves and the natural teeth beneath them. Veneers don't decay, but the area between the veneer's margin and the gum is vulnerable to plaque and bacterial accumulation.

• Regular and Correct Brushing: Brush your teeth at least twice a day with a non-abrasive toothbrush (preferably one with soft bristles) containing fluoride. Be sure to gently brush where the veneer meets the gum.
• Dental Floss and Interdental Brush: Cleaning the spaces around crowns and between teeth is vital. Daily flossing or using interdental brushes designed for cleaning between teeth helps prevent plaque buildup at the veneer margin, thus maintaining gum health. Gum health is the most important factor that directly affects the lifespan of a veneer.
• Mouthwashes: Using antiseptic mouthwashes recommended by your doctor for an appropriate period of time when necessary supports hygiene by reducing the number of bacteria in the mouth.

2. Avoiding Harmful Habits and Nutritional Regulations

E-max veneers are quite durable, but like your natural teeth, they can crack or break under excessive force. Therefore, you should reconsider some of your habits:

• Avoid Hard Foods: Avoid habits like chewing ice, biting pencils, cracking nuts or nuts with your teeth, or opening bottles. These overly aggressive actions can cause microcracks or chipping around the edges of your veneers.
• Teeth Grinding (Bruxism) Treatment: If you have a habit of clenching or grinding your teeth (bruxism) at night, your crowns are subjected to extreme pressure. To prevent this, using a night splint, as recommended by your dentist, is the most effective way to protect your crowns from excessive force.
• Limit Staining Agents: E-max porcelain itself doesn't change color; however, the filling or adhesive areas around the crown edges can absorb color over time. Limiting smoking and excessive coffee, tea, and red wine consumption will help your veneers maintain their original shine.

3. Don't Neglect Regular Dentist Checkups

Another critical step in extending the life of your veneers is regular professional maintenance. Small issues you might not even notice on your own can become major problems over time.

• Six Monthly Routine Checkups: Visit your dentist at least twice a year. During these checkups, your dentist will:
  • The compatibility of the veneer with the gums,
  • Whether there is leakage or decay in the edge areas of the coating,
  • The polish and aesthetic condition of the coating surface,
  • It checks whether the pressure on the coating is balanced during chewing.
• Professional Cleaning: Professional dental cleanings performed during regular checkups remove tartar buildup around the crowns, which helps preserve the crown's life by preventing gum recession and inflammation.

Ultimately, to maintain the aesthetics and function of your E-max crowns for years to come, you should care for them as you would your natural teeth. A good hygiene routine, avoiding harmful habits, and regular dental checkups are key to ensuring a bright and lasting smile.

This text is prepared for general information. The appropriate treatment method may vary for each patient and therefore, it is essential to consult with a specialist dentist. Before making any decision regarding dental health, it is very important to have a detailed examination and consultation process with your physician. These articles are for informational purposes only and are not intended to replace professional medical advice.