Veneers are versatile cosmetic dental appliances that can resculpt misshapen or damaged teeth and conceal frustrating defects like chips, cracks, gaps, and stains with ceramic materials that imitate the ideal appearance of natural enamel. While the process of placing these devices is safe and painless, you may experience some temporary dental sensitivity for a few days afterward. Here’s why this can happen, how you can keep your recovery process comfortable, and how to tell if you need to seek help from your dentist.
How Are Veneers Placed?
The process of receiving veneers always begins with a consultation so your dentist can evaluate your oral health, determine the best way to achieve your cosmetic goals, and recommend preliminary treatments if necessary. If you are approved for veneers, the treatment will start with your dentist administering an appropriate anesthetic to keep you comfortable. Then, they will remove a small amount of enamel from your teeth, take bite measurements, and fit you with temporary veneers before sending you on your way.
About two weeks later, you’ll come back to your dentist’s office to receive your final veneers. Your provider will carefully remove your temporary devices, fix your customized appliances in place, and make any needed adjustments. You’ll then be provided with a detailed set of aftercare instructions so you can keep your transformed smile in great shape.
How Can Veneers Cause Dental Sensitivity?
Dental enamel serves to insulate teeth from changes in temperature and chemical composition in the mouth, so your smile may be especially sensitive for a few days after receiving veneers. Your cosmetic appliances will protect your teeth from infection and injury in the place of the removed enamel, and your smile should feel better after a few days. Eventually, the treated teeth should feel perfectly normal and comfortable. To manage dental sensitivity after receiving veneers, consider the following methods:
- Taking over-the-counter pain medication or applying an oral analgesic.
- Avoiding foods and beverages that are hot, cold, spicy, sweet, acidic, crunchy, or chewy until you can enjoy them comfortably.
- Practicing excellent oral hygiene to prevent accumulations of food debris that can cause inflammation and infections.
- Being mindful when chewing to prevent unnecessary strain to the treated teeth.
However, contact your dentist if your discomfort lasts longer than several days or if you notice signs of infection such as swelling, redness, fever, fatigue, chills, or a nasty taste in your mouth.
Adhering to your dentist’s aftercare instructions is the best way to keep your smile comfortable and beautiful after cosmetic treatment. Consulting with your provider can help you understand how to stay in excellent dental health for life.
About the Practice
Harper Dental offers exemplary oral healthcare to the community of Ft. Smith. Led by Drs. Justin Cooper and Mitchel Harper, the staff treats each patient with compassion, respect, and outstanding customer service. Areas of expertise include general, restorative, emergency, and cosmetic dentistry such as veneers. To schedule your consultation for veneers, contact the practice online or dial the front desk at (479) 452-1638.