As amazing and versatile as veneers are, you can’t get them super quickly. A dentist has to alter the treated teeth first and remove small amounts of enamel. Given that fact, you may well wonder: Will getting veneers make your teeth sensitive? Your Tulsa dentist doesn’t want you to worry, so they’ve stopped by to answer this question. Just keep reading to discover how veneers are placed, whether they make teeth sensitive, and how to prevent post-treatment sensitivity.
Veneer Placement is Invasive
Patients getting veneers attend two appointments. While the first one “preps” the to-be-treated teeth, the second session places the actual shells.
Dentists do several things to prepare teeth for veneers. To start, they remove small bits of enamel from the relevant teeth to make room for the shells. A dentist will make impressions of the “prepped teeth” and send them to a dental lab, which crafts the final restorations. The patient wears temporary veneers for a few weeks while the lab finishes its work.
At the second visit, you’ll get your “final” or complete veneers. The dental team will place your shells at that time, as well as make last-minute changes to ensure they look good.
Veneers Can Cause Brief Sensitivity
In rare cases, veneer placement can cause some brief sensitivity. This effect is mild, though, and fades very quickly.
The sensitivity usually stems from the lost enamel. As your dentist preps your teeth, they may accidentally expose some dentin – the tooth layer that contains sensitive nerves. This region is often stimulated by hot and cold temperatures, so it may send pain signals to your brain and cause minor aches.
Again, rest assured that the sensitivity fades soon after treatment. Veneers bonded to teeth basically replace your enamel, so they protect you from hot and cold temperatures. They’ll thus free your smile from sensitivity within a week or two of placement.
Tips for Preventing Veneer Sensitivity
Though it doesn’t last long, you can take steps to prevent veneer sensitivity completely. All you need to do is the following:
- Monitor Your Meals – As best you can, avoid very hot or cold dishes in the days after treatment. Examples include coffee, ice cream, etc.
- Take Medication – Try taking some over-the-counter pain medications to post-care sensitivity.
- Do Saltwater Rinses – If you rinse your mouth with saltwater, you’ll reduce post-treatment swelling and balance your oral cavity’s pH levels.
It isn’t certain whether veneers will make your teeth sensitive, so you should stay prepared. Remember the tips above and apply them if your post-treatment smile feels off!
About the Practice
Glisten Dental Care of Tulsa is based in Tulsa, OK. Led by Dr. Lindsey Hammond, our practice is always eager and ready to make a patient’s smile shine and thrive. We thus perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatments, with results tailored to your specific needs. We even offer dental veneers, which can make your grin glisten with long-lasting beauty! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (918)-265-3882.