Are veneers painful? Understandably, you might be pondering this question if you’re currently considering having veneers fitted, so the Dental Law Partnership is here to help you with your dilemma.
Generally, a dental veneer procedure shouldn’t be painful, but you may feel some discomfort at times – read on to find out a little more about what you can expect from this form of cosmetic dentistry.
If you’ve already had veneers fitted and something went wrong during the surgery, or your dentist didn’t take due care when operating on you, you may be eligible for a dental negligence claim.
Get in touch with our team or call us on 0800 152 2034 to find out more!
Do Veneers Hurt?
Preparing the teeth for veneers should involve removing a very thin layer from the outer surface (enamel) of your teeth, so it shouldn’t be too painful. Before the procedure starts you’ll usually be given a local anaesthetic injection or a numbing cream, which should make the treatment less painful. You may experience slightly sore gums after, but the discomfort should be minimal.
You may feel increased sensitivity in the days following your fitting appointment, but it should only last for a few days and is usually fairly mild. If you do start to feel severe tooth pain or notice any swelling in the gums near the veneer,, you should contact your dentist for a follow-up visit.
As long as your dentist follows the procedural steps properly and dental negligence does not occur, you should not have anything to worry about in terms of pain and discomfort.
Why Do People Usually Get Dental Veneers?
Just like any other dental procedure, there are several reasons why people choose to have veneers. Dental veneers are usually fitted for people who want to change the appearance of their smile, make them whiter or more even.
As such, cosmetic dentists carry out the majority of the veneer treatments in the UK, so you’ll likely have to go to a private practice to have them fitted here. However, if there is a clinical need for veneers, the NHS may be able to provide treatment for you, which would greatly reduce the cost of veneers.
According to the Dental Nursing journal in 2023, two-thirds of adults are too self-conscious to smile in photos, showing just how common embarrassment about your smile is in this nation. Having veneers can really boost your confidence and self-esteem too, although you need to be aware that once you have veneers, you will need to have them replaced periodically for the rest of your life.
What Should I Expect During a Veneer Procedure?
As stated above, if your dentist follows the correct steps, and does not remove too much of the original tooth surface, you should have no issues with your veneer treatment. However, if you’re not a dental professional, it’s extremely unlikely you’ll know what the veneer dental procedure is – unless you’ve already had a set of veneers installed at an earlier date.
Every situation is different, and you may find that your surgery is slightly dissimilar to the stages laid out below (particularly if you require a full set of veneers).
Nevertheless, the veneer process usually follows these steps:
- First, you’ll have an initial consultation appointment with your dentist, who will usually chat with you to make sure that veneers are the best course of action for your needs. Your dentist also has to inform you of any risks, side effects and alternative treatments that may be available.
- Your dentist may order a ‘Wax-up’ preview of the proposed veneers so that you are happy with the proposed shade and shape before the final veneers are fitted.
- Once you’ve agreed to the procedure, your dentist will clean the affected area and will offer you a sedative or local anaesthetic, if required.
- Next, your dentist will start to carry out tooth preparation tasks, such as filing the tooth down and minimal enamel removal (ensuring the veneer can be attached to the tooth properly).
- Dental impressions of your mouth will then be made using either a 3D scanner or soft putty. Temporary veneers may be provided until your next appointment, as you will usually require a second session to attach your permanent veneers.
- On your final dental appointment, your dentist will use a strong dental glue or dental cement to attach your permanent veneers.
As you can see, veneers aren’t particularly invasive, so there’s nothing much to worry about – regardless of whether you go for composite veneers or porcelain veneers.
Why Are Temporary Veneers Necessary?
Temporary veneers are tooth-coloured shells that act as provisional veneers and mimic the natural tooth structure, whilst your dentist waits for the final digital impression of your permanent veneers to be created. Not only do they give you a better idea of what your custom veneers may look like when fitted, but they will also help you to get used to the feeling of wearing them long-term.
Whilst veneers are often a facet of the cosmetic dentistry industry, temporary veneers also serve a hygienic function. Enamel buffing and tooth filing usually happen before your permanent veneers are ready to wear, so temporary veneers will protect your teeth, acting as a barrier against bacteria and other oral health issues.
Temporary veneers are usually only worn for a couple of weeks at most, so your permanent veneers should be installed shortly afterwards.
What Post-Procedure Care and Maintenance Tips Should I Follow?
After your procedure, your dentist should provide you with the appropriate post-procedure aftercare advice, alongside information about maintaining your veneers. If your dentist fails to do this and something goes wrong during your veneer appointment, you may be able to open a dental negligence claim.
After your procedure, you should avoid using and biting down with your veneer teeth, as this will help with the initial feeling of discomfort. You should also carry on cleaning your teeth twice a day for two minutes at a time, with a non-abrasive toothpaste, paying special attention to the place where your veneers meet the gum area (this is because bacteria can easily become trapped and cause plaque, tooth decay and symptoms of gum disease.
Desensitising toothpaste may also help if your veneers and teeth are slightly sensitive after your appointment.
Veneers can be stained by smoking, red wine, tea and coffee. If you smoke, you should stop, and it helps if you drink dark-coloured liquids through a straw. Make sure to rinse your mouth with plain water after having dark-coloured liquids.
Biting on hard foods, and grinding your teeth can cause your veneers to crack and chip, so take care with hard or sticky foods,, and if you wear a bite guard/ or retainer, you may need a new one made to fit your new smile and protect your veneers.
You will still have to see your dentist regularly to check the margins of your veneers and to have regular professional cleaning to keep them looking pristine.
Knowing When to Seek Help for Veneer Pain
Hopefully, we’ve now answered the question of ‘Are veneers painful?’ for you. Whilst you may feel a bit of discomfort after your surgery, having veneers fitted shouldn’t be painful. If you do find yourself in severe pain afterwards (or you believe your dentist made a mistake during the procedure), you may be entitled to make a dental negligence claim.
At the Dental Law Partnership, we work on a purely conditional basis, as all our cases come with a no-win, no-fee offer. This means that you’ll only pay a small fee to our team of expert dental solicitors if your claim is successful, so you don’t need to worry about being out of pocket afterwards.
If you’d like to get started with your dental negligence case, please request a callback or complete our online claim form.