Tender Teeth: Do Porcelain Veneers Cause Sensitivity?

If you’re feeling self-conscious about imperfections in your smile, you’re not alone. Many people have found a solution in porcelain veneers. These ceramic covers are a popular cosmetic treatment that can address one or several flaws simultaneously. With them in place, you can say goodbye to pesky chips, cracks, blemishes, or small gaps in your grin.

However, for them to fit properly, your dentist must remove a thin layer of enamel from your teeth. Some patients are worried that this preparatory step will cause discomfort, so they hesitate to move forward with the procedure. If you’re longing to improve your appearance but are concerned about tooth sensitivity with veneers, keep reading to learn why you can set your mind at ease.

Do Porcelain Veneers Cause Tooth Sensitivity?

It’s natural to avoid a procedure if you’re worried that it might put your oral well-being at risk, even if you’re desperate to improve the quality of your smile. Plenty of patients have procrastinated getting porcelain veneers because they’re scared of the consequences of having some enamel removed. This substance is your pearly white’s natural defense, and once it’s thinned, it can lead to some temporary sensitivity.

Fortunately, only about half a millimeter, or about the thickness of a contact lens, is taken away. This ensures that your ceramic covers can be placed flush against your gumline without appearing overly bulky or awkward next to your natural teeth. It’s normal to experience some tingling or sharp sensations for a few days after the preparation is complete, but this tends to fade after a few days.

How Can I Prevent Discomfort with Veneers?

Typically, any symptoms you experience will be mild and will dissipate relatively quickly. That doesn’t mean that you have to live with the discomfort in the meantime. To minimize potential issues, you can:

• Switch to a desensitizing toothpaste.
• Avoid hard foods that put extra pressure on your teeth.
• Stick with mild or bland foods that aren’t too hot, cold, or spicy.
• If you suffer from bruxism (teeth grinding) get a nightguard to shield your teeth.
• Rinse your mouth up to 3 times daily with warm salt water to reduce any inflammation.
• Take an over-the-counter painkiller like Tylenol or ibuprofen.

If your pain worsens or doesn’t subside after a week, contact your dentist so they can ensure that everything is placed correctly and fits as intended. You might have a loose or damaged veneer that’s contributing to the problem.

Thankfully, your veneers are strong enough to safeguard your smile once they’re in place. That means you have no reason to be concerned about your dental health in the long run!

About the Practice

At Annigan Dental, two dentists work together to provide a full range of services to meet all your oral care needs under one roof. They take the time to listen to your unique history and concerns so that they can create fully individualized treatment plans. Then, they utilize state-of-the-art technology to enhance your comfort while increasing the accuracy of their results. If you’re interested in veneers and want to schedule a consultation, you can request one on the website or by calling (425) 492-6898.