Dental veneers are an excellent way to improve the smile’s appearance. But are they for you, and do veneers hurt? Read on to find out more about this minimally invasive cosmetic dentistry procedure.
Why do people get dental veneers?
Generally, people get veneers because they are embarrassed about the appearance of their smiles. Perhaps you know someone that hides their smile behind their hand for fear of others seeing their teeth. They’re certainly not alone.
Did you know that around a third of adults report feeling uncomfortable about the appearance of their smile?
Thanks to modern technology, it doesn’t have to be this way. Our dentist offers many ways to help improve patients’ smiles, with one of the most popular treatments – dental veneers.
So, what are veneers exactly?
Dental veneers are wafer-thin custom-made porcelain or composite shells applied to the front surface of teeth to improve the smile’s overall appearance.
If your teeth are: 
- Slightly crooked
- Gapped
- Cracked or chipped
- Dark in colour
- Mis-shapen
- Uneven
Veneers can help you achieve a smile that we know you’ll love.
What you need to know, however, is that while composite veneers can be easily reversed, the same cannot be said for porcelain veneers. Once you decide to have porcelain veneers, you get them for life and replace them periodically.
Are dental veneers painful?
Did you know that one in six adults are fearful of visiting the dentist?
When considering porcelain veneers, patients often worry they may feel pain during the application process. But fortunately, our experienced dentists do all they can to make the procedure comfortable and pain-free, so there really is nothing to fear.
It’s only natural to feel concerned about having tooth enamel removed. But it’s important to understand that our dentist only removes a tiny amount of enamel – generally half a millimetre or less.
The reason enamel is removed is to create space for the veneer. Even though porcelain veneers are extremely thin, they still add another layer to the tooth. Removing the tooth enamel helps roughen the tooth surface, so the veneers adhere more securely and fit into the smile without protrusion.
Because porcelain is colour-matched to the surrounding teeth, they fit seamlessly into the smile for a natural look.
So, do veneers hurt?
The quick answer is no. Veneers do not hurt. However, to be on the safe side, patients will be given a local anaesthetic to numb the tooth or teeth receiving veneers. You may feel a slight sting from the anaesthetic, but the procedure should feel relatively comfortable.
The porcelain veneers procedure
While veneers treatment varies from one patient to another, you can expect these common cosmetic steps.
Initial consultation – pain-free
The first visit is to discuss getting dental veneers. Our dentist will talk you through the process and help you decide between composite or porcelain veneers. He can also show you an on-screen image of how your smile will look so you can discuss any changes to its appearance.
Tooth preparation
The dentist removes a tiny layer of tooth enamel with a dental bur. In some cases, the tooth or teeth receiving the veneers are numbed, but as all dental work takes place above gum level, no nerves will be touched, and there should be no pain. While patients may feel slight pressure due to the sensation of the bur at work, this should not last beyond the procedure.
Do temporary veneers hurt?
Again, once in position, they may feel a little strange – remember temporary veneers are thicker than your permanent versions – but they should be comfortable.
Once the dentist has prepared the teeth, a digital impression will be taken to create a 3D mould of the teeth. Images and a colour sample will be sent to our lab to create the custom veneers. In the meantime, the dentist will place your temporary veneers over the teeth to protect the prepared area.
Any discomfort or sensitivity to hot and cold temperatures results from the thin layer of tooth enamel removed at the start of the process. But, this is only minimal and temporary.
Placement of the porcelain veneers – mostly pain-free
Once your dental veneers are ready, you will be asked back to our Castle Hill clinic for a procedure that takes around an hour. The dentist first removes the temporary veneers with a drill before replacing them with the permanent custom veneers. The fit and colour are checked before the dentist bonds and cures the veneers securely into position. All that’s left to do is take a look at your beautiful new smile in a mirror.
Do veneers hurt after installation?
Some patients find their teeth feel sore as they get accustomed to wearing the veneers, but usually, any discomfort can be relieved with over the counter painkillers such as Ibuprofen.
The more porcelain veneers a patient receives, the more discomfort they are likely to feel. However, by choosing a highly experienced dentist with dental veneers, the more chance there is to avoid pain at this stage.
Follow-up visits and cleaning – pain-free
Once your veneers have settled down, the rest of your experience should be pain-free. Patients need to attend follow-up meetings to ensure everything is going well and for a dental clean.
Typically, patients should allow for bi-annual cleanings to avoid plaque build-up and allow your dentist to ensure your veneers are in good shape.
Another point to consider is that while porcelain veneers are permanent, they don’t last forever. Most patients need to replace their veneers around the 10-15 year mark, sometimes longer with good care.
So now you know the answer to the question, “do veneers hurt“, nothing should be stopping you from getting the smile of your dreams.
Let us help you achieve a beautiful smile with dental veneers
The smile you long for is well within your grasp. At Beyond Infinity Dental Care, your teeth are in good hands with our highly experienced cosmetic dentist, Dr.Jack Yang. Dental veneers typically only take two dental visits to complete and are less invasive than other procedures such as dental crowns.
Call us today on (02) 8806 3799 to schedule a consultation or use our online booking service.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
References
AIHW National Oral Health Plan 2015-2024 Performance Monitoring Report
https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/national-oral-health-plan-2015-2024/contents/how-oral-disease-impacts-our-wellbeing/people-feeling-uncomfortable-with-appearance-of-mouth-and-teeth
Dentally.Org – Complete Guide To Detal Veneers
https://www.dentaly.org/en/complete-guide-to-veneers
Dental Fear and Anxiety
https://www.adelaide.edu.au/arcpoh/dperu/special/dfa/Dental_Fear_Professional.pdf
Animated Teeth – The Stems Of A Porcelain Veneer Procedure
https://www.animated-teeth.com/porcelain_veneers/t3_porcelain_veneers_how.htm
Pub Med – Success Of Dental Ceneers According To Preparation, Design and Material Type
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6311473
