When considering cosmetic dental veneer treatments, one of the first questions most people ask is, “Do veneers hurt?”.
With so many horror stories out there about the pain and excessive enamel removal that’s required, it’s no wonder most patients associate nightmares of intense pain with dental veneers. The truth is that anything done incorrectly, including bad veneer procedures, can cause pain.
At Bespoke Smile, we focus on maintaining the structure and health of natural teeth, and as a result, we prefer a minimal or no preparation approach to veneers. This allows there to be the most minimal impact to the tooth’s natural biology. The process is painless when the correct veneer procedure is followed by qualified cosmetic dentists. As a result, you are guaranteed a positive experience and beautiful results.
This guide provides the answers to common questions surrounding pain and veneers. In addition, we will clarify the veneer procedure, the recovery process, and the aftercare required for your new veneers.
Does it hurt to get veneers?
When having veneers fitted, injections are not always required, making the veneer process fairly straightforward and pain-free. Some stages of the preparation and fitting process may cause pain to occur, but this can depend on your individual pain tolerance and how much preparation is needed based on your natural tooth.
To ensure the most comfort during your treatment at Bespoke Smile, we use the strongest strength numbing cream allowed in the UK, and careful and calculated warming of the general anaesthetic is done to reduce the shock of it entering your body temperature, which in turn minimises the discomfort.
The following steps will clarify what is involved in the veneer application process, and where discomfort may be felt.
- To prep the tooth, a small amount of enamel is buffed away (0.5-1mm) to ensure the veneer adheres to the natural tooth and meets aesthetic requirements. This may cause some mild discomfort but won’t cause pain, especially if sedated.
- Dental impressions are taken of the hand-created trial smile, which is used to copy exactly the agreed-upon design. This is done using a fast-setting dental putty and a detailed bite record paste.
- The temporary veneers are gently removed and the final, permanent veneers are tried on for you to give the team the final go-ahead before fitting.
- An etching gel is used to roughen the tooth surface slightly before the veneers. Phosphoric acid, better known as etch, is used to thoroughly clean the surface of the teeth. This ensures a firmer bond between the tooth enamel and the veneer.
- The veneers are then cleaned and primed before they are placed on the teeth.
- Dental cement is used to attach the final veneers to the tooth surface. Next, the excess cement is removed, and after a quick polish, your new smile is complete.
If simply sitting in the dentist’s chair causes you a lot of distress, patients can have IV sedation and oral sedatives provided by your GP. You can also pick out your favourite binge-worthy TV show or film on Netflix to watch on our ceiling-mounted TVs to keep your mind off things. This can be a good option for patients with tooth decay. Once the decay is removed and the area is thoroughly cleaned and root-filled where needed, (your dentist will determine this after your comprehensive assessment following detailed x-rays) the veneer’s porcelain is then used to lightly seal the area, preventing further decay and leakage.
Temporary after effects of the veneers process
Cosmetic dentistry can have some temporary side effects after the permanent veneers have been fitted. These include:
Sore gums
Some people experience a little discomfort in the gum area after their veneers have been fitted. This is normal, and the tenderness should settle in a few days.
Temperature sensitivity
Due to the bonding process and the small amount of enamel removed (if necessary), some people have problems with tooth sensitivity. Cold temperatures and heat associated with different food types or drinks can cause minor discomfort.
The after-effects will settle in a few days. On rare occasions where the soreness is experienced for longer than two weeks, you should contact your dentist to be on the safe side.
From our dental practitioners: You should be aware that sensitivity is most often caused by dentists removing too much enamel. The key way to avoid painful veneers is to choose a reputable dentist who will fit Ultra Thin Veneers, not drilled crowns (like you’d find in Turkey).
How to prevent pain after getting veneers
For teeth sensitive to veneers, you should follow the aftercare advice of your dentist.
However, here are some useful tips to ensure you minimise any sensitivity that may occur.
- Follow good oral hygiene practices. Brush after each meal with a desensitising toothpaste.
- For a few days, avoid foods that have extremely cold temperatures (ice cream or cold drinks).
- Avoid placing excessive pressure on your veneers, for example, by eating haard foods (nuts, hard sweets).
- Invest in a mouth guard to prevent grinding your teeth at night.
- Don’t chew fingernails or other objects (pens, pencils).
- Rinse your mouth with a solution of salt and water to reduce swelling (if any).
- Take mild pain medication such as ibuprofen as directed on the label.
Bespoke Smile Veneers Process
For those ready to enhance the appearance of their smiles, our process will ensure you make the right veneer decision for you. The procedure itself is relatively pain-free and there are options available to you if you are particularly concerned about how painful getting veneers is.
We aim to understand all of your concerns, whether you are worried about any pain during the treatment or the end result, we are here for you. We will provide information regarding how to care for your veneers after they have been fitted, and will offer advice on what to do in the unlikely event that you struggle with any pain.
Our team at Bespoke Smile is on hand to help and happy to answer any questions you have about the process and how we can make it as pain-free and comfortable as possible.