Want to transform your smile’s appearance using dental veneers? This is a common pursuit of many patients who are unhappy with their chipped, cracked, and stained teeth. By changing the size, shape, and color of your smile, you can enjoy greater confidence and a more beautiful appearance, but will veneers cause tooth sensitivity? To find out if this is something you should prepare for before undergoing veneer treatment, a dentist is here to explain.
What Might Cause Sensitivity When Receiving Veneers?
The reality is that there is likely to be minor tooth sensitivity immediately following your veneer placement. The reason is commonly tied to the fact that your cosmetic dentist must remove a small bit of tooth enamel to ensure that the bonding agent used will adequately adhere the veneer to your tooth’s surface.
Although not all people experience tooth sensitivity after treatment, it’s not unusual or uncommon, and it may only last a few days or weeks.
How to Minimize Tooth Sensitivity
If you want to minimize the potential for tooth sensitivity following veneer placement, you’ll need to make sure that you brush your teeth after eating with a desensitizing toothpaste. Also, it’s best to limit and/or avoid hard, crunchy foods that can add more pressure to your teeth.
Other valuable tips for reducing sensitivity include:
- Drinking lukewarm beverages for a few days
- Avoid spicy and sweet foods to avoid irritation
- Try to avoid grinding your teeth – you may need to talk to your dentist about a customized nightguard
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers to minimize discomfort
When Should I See a Dentist?
Tooth sensitivity should not last longer than a few days or weeks at the most, but if you notice that the sensitivity is not easing up after this period, don’t hesitate to contact your dental team. It could be there is a more serious issue causing this type of reaction, such as a chip in the veneer, improper placement, an uneven bite, or an untreated toothache that exists beneath the veneer.
Dental veneers are not something to be scared of should you wish to improve your smile’s appearance. All you need to do is take precautions and make sure you are prepared so that you can avoid an unpleasant and uncomfortable experience after receiving your beautiful, new veneers.
About the Author
Dr. Milad Rabban has more than a decade of experience in dentistry and is a trusted dental expert in Clinton Township, MI. Completing her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Detroit Mercy, she went on to receive advanced training in implant dentistry from the Dominican Training Institute. At Clinton Township Family Dental, she and her team strive to provide patients with remarkable cosmetic solutions so that individuals can feel good about their smiles. If you want to learn more about dental veneers and what they can do for your smile, contact us at (586) 416-1444.