Do Dental Veneers Make Teeth Sensitive?

You may have heard that a bit of tooth enamel is removed for dental veneer placement. Since it’s a protective layer, that can sound worrying at first. “Will the veneers make my teeth more sensitive?” “Will they expose the inner layers of my teeth to dangers like an infection?” These and similar questions might be bouncing around your mind.

As for the sensitivity concern, your local dentist has the answer. Read on to learn how veneers relate to fragile teeth and can even help you manage them.

Do Veneers Increase Sensitivity?

Some people experience temporary sensitivity after receiving dental veneers. Because placement removes a portion of enamel, the tooth’s dentin — its second layer — can become more exposed to external forces. As a result, contact with hot or cold foods might prompt said layer to send pain signals to the brain.

A few days to a few weeks of such tenderness is normal. However, call your dentist if it continues past two or three months or becomes more severe. Persistent or intense aches could indicate a bigger dental problem, so get it checked out.

How Veneers Can Help Sensitivity

Porcelain veneers could help alleviate your sensitivity if your enamel has degraded. By covering the tooth surface, the porcelain layer would make it impossible for high or low temperatures to reach the damaged area.

Your dentist could determine if you’re a candidate for veneers based on your enamel loss. However, it may turn out you don’t have enough left for the veneers to bond properly. Whether the veneers could help with the pain will ultimately depend on your smile’s condition. 

3 Tips for Managing Veneer Sensitivity

If you experience post-treatment tooth sensitivity, there are ways you can manage it yourself. They are the following:

• Eat Carefully: You’ll want to be mindful of the foods and drinks you consume after getting your porcelain veneers. Avoid hot or cold items like coffee or ice cream. Also, limit your intake of foods with high acidity and sugar.
• Take OTC Pain Relievers: Sensitive teeth can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen. Brands like Tylenol or Advil are excellent examples.
• Rinse with Warm Saltwater: Warm saltwater rinses can relieve soreness, reduce swelling, and balance your mouth’s pH levels. Try doing them a few times a day to see if they help.

While veneers sometimes lead to sensitivity, they can also help relieve it alongside other methods. Talk to your dentist to see if your delicate teeth might benefit from treatment.

About the Practice

All Smiles Leeburg is based in Leesburg, VA. Headed by Dr. Giannina McBryde, they emphasize a calm, relaxing atmosphere to help put their patients at ease. From that starting point, they offer comprehensive treatments including preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. They also excel in Invisalign and emergency dental services. For more information or to book an appointment, they can be reached at their website or by phone at (703)-782-5171.