Dental veneers could provide a solution if your teeth are healthy but you dislike how your smile looks. Veneers are thin covers or shells of porcelain attached to the front surface of the teeth to make them appear whiter and more even. However, like any dental procedure, some people feel anxious and ask, “do veneers hurt?”
While some people tolerate pain easier than others (and we can’t speak for you), in general, there is minimal discomfort associated with the dental veneers procedure. Our dentist will numb your mouth with local anaesthesia like having a dental filling.
So do veneers hurt?
Ultimately, patients don’t hurt from getting veneers. If there is any pain or discomfort, it should last, at most, between 10-24 hours.
Here, we’ll take a closer look at the porcelain veneers process so you can move ahead knowing what type of experience to expect. But first, who gets dental veneers and why?
Why do people get dental veneers?
Porcelain veneers can treat a variety of problems, including:
- Gapped teeth
- Chips and cracks
- Worn teeth
- Misshaped teeth
- Stains and discolouration
- Mild crookedness
- Worn tooth enamel
- Gummy smile
Understanding what’s involved in the dental veneers process will help you know more about the level of invasiveness and whether you will experience any pain. Here’s what you can expect at every stage of the procedure.
The initial consultation – pain-free
It all begins with a visit to our clinic to discuss getting porcelain veneers. Our dentist will walk you through each step of the process and determine if they’re a suitable treatment for you. Using Digital Smile Design Software, we can even show you how your smile will look with porcelain veneers, so you can decide if they produce the appearance you were hoping for and meet your smile goals. If you choose to go ahead with dental veneers, our dentist will initiate the process.
Preparing your teeth for veneers – possible discomfort
Do veneers hurt when your teeth are being prepared? The honest answer is some patients may feel uncomfortable when we remove some of the tooth enamel from the teeth receiving veneers. Typically, these patients already have sensitive teeth, so, understandably, a dental bur may cause them slight discomfort. A bur is a dental tool used to grind away a thin layer of tooth enamel from the front of the teeth. It removes sufficient enamel so that the veneer will fit flush with the rest of the teeth. Because the depth of penetration is minimal, there’s no danger of disturbing any nerves.
Wearing temporary veneers – possibility of discomfort
Once your teeth are prepared, the dentist takes an impression of them to create a mould which is sent to the dental lab making the porcelain veneers, along with a colour sample. The process can take a few weeks, so you will be fitted with a set of temporary veneers to wear while you wait until the permanent ones are ready.
When it comes to temporary veneer pain, everyone is different. Wearing ‘temporaries’ can increase tooth sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures. This is because the freshly removed enamel layer has put less space between those temperatures and the teeth’s nerves. Although it’s rare to experience nerve pain after veneers, some patients experience discomfort when wearing temporary veneers.
Receiving permanent dental veneers – mostly pain-free
Our dentist will call you back to the clinic when your permanent veneers are ready. During this appointment, the temporary veneers are removed with a drill and replaced with permanent ones. The dentist checks the fit and bonds them securely to the teeth.
Do veneers hurt afterwards?
Some patients report feeling sore teeth while getting accustomed to their permanent porcelain veneers, but any discomfort can usually be managed with over the counter painkillers. The more veneers a person gets, the more chance they may feel discomfort. By choosing a dentist experienced in porcelain veneers, you’re less likely to experience pain at this stage.
Follow-up visits and cleanings – pain-free
Moving forward, the rest of your experience with dental veneers should be painless. All that’s needed is for you to carry on visiting the dentist for routine check-ups and cleans to ensure everything is going well. These help you keep on track with your oral health and ensure your dental veneers are in perfect condition.
Another factor to consider is that porcelain veneers won’t last forever. Studies have shown a 95.5% survival rate over ten years. Keep your dentist updated on the condition of your dental veneers, and they can recommend when might be a good time for a new set of veneers to keep your smile looking its best.
Do dental veneers cause tooth sensitivity?
The short answer to this question is no. Any tooth sensitivity is experienced when a thin layer of enamel is removed at the beginning of the process, and this will only be temporary and minimal. Moreover, since worn tooth enamel is the prime cause of tooth sensitivity, one way to rebuild tooth enamel and reduce tooth sensitivity could be to get porcelain veneers placed over your teeth.
Hopefully, this article has answered your question, “do veneers hurt” and taken away any anxiety you may have been feeling about the procedure.
Do you need porcelain veneers?
If the answer is yes, why not take the first step towards your dream smile by booking an initial consultation. Contact Beyond Dental Care or use our online booking service. Get in touch today.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
Medical News Today – High Pain Tolerance: Causes, Influences, and How to Affect it
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/high-pain-tolerance
Digital Smile Design.com – What is Digital Smile Design
https://digitalsmiledesign.com/
BUPA Dental – How Often Do You Need To Go to the Dentist?
https://www.bupadental.com.au/blog/gum-health/how-often-do-you-really-need-to-go-to-the-dentist
NCBI – Long-Term Survival and Complication Rates of Porcelain Laminate Veneers in Clinical Studies: A Systematic Review
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7961608/
KIN – Does tooth Sensitivity Have A Solution?
https://www.kin.es/en/causas-sensibilidad-dental/
MayoClinic. Org – What Causes Sensitive Teeth and How Can I Treat Them?
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/expert-answers/sensitive-teeth/faq-20057854#:~:text=Sensitive%20teeth%20are%20typically%20the,worn%20filling%2C%20or%20gum%20disease.
