Do Veneers Hurt During the Procedure or Recovery?

Veneers Procedure

Dental veneers are a thin layer of porcelain or composite that fits over the front of a tooth. A veneer can fix a discolored, damaged, or slightly crooked tooth. 

Most veneers are made of porcelain. The entire procedure typically requires a few dentist visits.

To make and apply a veneer, a dentist will:

• Check your teeth, take X-rays, and assess existing fillings or veneers if you have them
• Build up any damaged part of the tooth or remove cavities
• Use a handpiece to prepare the enamel of the tooth 
• Put a putty-like material over the tooth to create a mold called an impression
• Make a veneer based on the impression
• Use specialized cement to adhere the veneer to the tooth

The actual veneer procedure is usually not painful since the area is numbed with a local anesthetic before beginning. Some mild pain or discomfort in the gums and jaw in the days to weeks after getting a veneer is normal, especially if you are getting multiple veneers.

In most cases, the pain associated with veneer placement is mild and can be relieved by taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications.

Veneers Recovery and Aftercare 

Aside from feeling mild discomfort after getting a veneer, you may also:

• Experience trouble talking for a few days as you get used to the size and shape of the veneer
• Salivate a bit more than normal
• Experience temporary tooth sensitivity to hot and cold

If you experience sensitivity in your teeth, you can limit the discomfort by:

• Brushing your teeth with a desensitizing toothpaste 
• Avoiding hard foods or foods that put pressure on your teeth (e.g., chewing gum)
• Drinking room temperature liquids
• Avoiding sugary or spicy food and drinks
• Rinsing your mouth up to three times a day with 1 tsp. of salt in warm water
• Using a night guard if you grind your teeth at night

Always practice good oral hygiene after getting veneers. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), to practice good oral hygiene you should:

• Brush your teeth at least twice daily using a fluoridated toothpaste
• Floss at least once a day
• Limit consumption of sugary foods and drinks
• Visit the dentist regularly 
• Do not smoke or chew tobacco products

Potential Side Effects

While there are many benefits to getting veneers, many people experience some postoperative symptoms for a week or two. 

But talk to your dentist if you experience:

• Pain in the treated teeth or surrounding gums that lasts longer than 2 weeks
• A toothache
• A misaligned or uneven bite
• A chip or crack in the veneer
• Veneers that feel loose

What are the Benefits of Veneers?

The ADA claims there are many perks of getting veneers instead of other treatments.

Veneers can be beneficial because they:

• Can fix imperfections like discolored, crooked, or chipped teeth
• Do not require surgery or general anesthesia
• Do not require tooth extraction
• Look natural
• Require minimal removal of natural tooth structure

Summary

Dental veneers are a thin covering that are cemented on top of your natural teeth. Most people don’t feel anything during the actual veneer procedure. Temporary discomfort, pain, or tooth sensitivity for a few days to weeks after getting veneers is normal.

Talk to your dentist if the pain, sensitivity, or discomfort persists for longer than 2 weeks after you get veneers. Also talk to your dentist if the veneers feel loose, are cracked or chipped, or cause an uneven bite.