What to Do If You Have Tooth Sensitivity After Veneer?

Veneers cover the front surface of your teeth, hiding all the imperfections such as misalignment, stains, gaps, or discoloration. The veneers procedure has increased by 250% over the years, which makes them a popular dental solution. However, along with a radiant smile, there’s sensitivity after veneers that feels like a quick zap, tingling, or dull soreness, especially when you eat food that is too hot or cold.

It’s nothing to be concerned about, as it’s normal to have sensitive teeth in the initial few weeks of the procedure. It happens due to the enamel removal that exposes the dentin layer, which is sensitive to hot or cold temperatures. As your teeth and gums get used to the new veneers and they heal, the sensitivity subsides. If it persists for a longer time, you should talk to your dentist.

For advanced veneers placement and 24/7 support, you can count on Asli Tarcan Dental Clinic. We offer free consultation to our patients.

Sensitivity After Veneers

Tooth sensitivity is a feeling of mild discomfort, soreness, quick zap, or tingling sensation that occurs when you eat or drink something cold or hot. It’s common for people to experience it, especially in the first few weeks of the veneer placement. It’s temporary and subsides as your gums and teeth heal and get used to the new veneers. 

If you’re in the initial stage of your veneer replacement, be patient and let the teeth and gums recover from the procedure. The sensitivity will go, leaving you with a beautiful and flawless smile.

Causes Of Tooth Sensitivity After Veneers

Mainly, there are two causes of tooth sensitivity after veneer placement, including enamel trimming and bite adjustment.

Enamel Trimming

To make space for the veneers, the enamel, which is a thin layer of the tooth, is removed up to 0.3mm to 0.5mm. It’s done to ensure that the veneers have enough space to bond on, and also, they look natural and not so heavy or bulky. Enamel removal exposes the dentin layer, which is sensitive to hot and cold temperatures, causing tooth sensitivity.

Bite Adjustment

The bite is changed after the veneers, and you’re not used to it in the initial days. As the teeth adjust to the new bite after veneers, the sensitivity resolves on its own in a few days naturally. If the bite doesn’t feel right even after a few weeks, the dentist can correct it by making small corrections.

Is The Pain Expected After Veneers?

It’s common to experience some pain after the veneers, but it’s different for everybody.

• Heat & chill reaction: Some people may feel a zing with hot drinks or cold foods since enamel is thinner. It’s called tooth sensitivity after veneers.
• Gum tenderness: Some patients also complain about having the gums puffy, sore, or irritated gums after the placement.
• Speech changes: For some patients, a slight lisp or odd sound may appear as their tongue learns the new tooth shape.
• Excessive saliva: Not the pain, but some patients may also have more saliva in the first days while adjusting to the new veneers.

For How Long Will I Experience Tooth Sensitivity After Veneers?

Normally, patients have sensitive teeth after veneers for up to 1 to 2 weeks. The sensitivity starts to resolve after that, gradually, and you feel better, just like with your natural teeth. However, if the sensitivity persists for a longer time than that, it’s not normal, and you should check with your dentist.

Why Are My Teeth Sensitive To Hot And Cold Even After 5 Years Of Veneer Placement?

Having tooth sensitivity after 5 years of the veneer placement isn’t normal. By this time, the veneers are fully adjusted to your teeth and you’re used to eating, drinking, and living your normal life with them.

There could be several reasons for having sensitive teeth till now, including poor maintenance, such as irregular dentist visits, not brushing, or not flossing well. Furthermore, these can also be the causes of this long-standing soreness in the teeth.

• Grinding or clenching
• Veneer leakage
• General health issues (diabetes, medications, smoking, drugs)

You must visit your dentist every 3 to 6 months after the veneers and adapt to the oral care that includes flossing, brushing at least two to three times a day, and avoiding biting anything hard with your teeth.

When to Seek Immediate Help?

If the pain persists and lasts for up to a month despite the home care, it signals a serious underlying issue. If it’s accompanied by other signs such as these:

• Sharp, ongoing pain.
• Trouble eating or drinking.
• Visible veneer damage.

You should immediately talk to your dentist and have your teeth and the veneers assessed by them. They’ll spot the issue and suggest the right treatment before things get worse.

What If You Ignore The Tooth Sensitivity?

If the tooth sensitivity has been there for a longer period than usual, you shouldn’t ignore it. It may be signalling problems such as poor bonding or exposed dentin. Your daily routine may be affected, such as having issues with eating and drinking.

Furthermore, the poorly fitted veneers can trap food, causing the risk of decay and gum disease. Therefore, if the sensitivity lasts for up to 2 weeks, see your dentist.

How To Prevent Sensitivity After Veneers?

You can prevent tooth sensitivity after veneer placement by following these steps:

• Take 1 tsp salt in a cup, warm it up, and then rinse your teeth with it a few times daily. It soothes the gums and reduces the swelling, helping the sensitivity to resolve sooner.
• Hard foods such as brittle, candy, or corn can put extra stress on veneers, causing more sensitivity and discomfort. Avoid such foods and stick to soft foods.
• If you feel sensitive to very hot or cold foods or drinks, stick to room-temperature foods.
• Extra sweet or spicy foods can irritate sensitive teeth. Avoid such foods or reduce the sugar or spicy content in them.
• Habits like chewing on nails or pens, clenching, and grinding can be harmful to veneers. You should avoid such habits and wear a night guard that prevents such things from happening while you’re sleeping.
• You can manage the discomfort by using over-the-counter meds like ibuprofen or Tylenol to ease lingering discomfort.

Treatment Options for Veneer Sensitivity

These are the home and professional dental treatments that you can take to fix sensitive teeth after veneers.

At-Home & Over-the-Counter Remedies

Desensitizing Toothpaste
Instead of using any regular toothpaste, use desensitizing toothpaste, which blocks pain signals from the tooth surface to nerves. It helps you calm down the sensitivity and the lingering discomfort.

Fluoride Gel
Fluoride gel is another great over-the-counter treatment for tooth sensitivity that strengthens the enamel and reduces nerve exposure, calming down the sensitivity.

Combine these along with the preventive tips we’ve discussed above to get the best relief from tooth sensitivity.

Professional Dental Treatments

• Veneer Adjustment or Replacement

If the poor fitting or the bonding issues are causing tooth sensitivity, you should consider the veneer adjustment or the replacement. In the treatment, the dentist may reshape or replace the veneers to fix the problem.

• Covering Exposed Dentin

You can ask your dentist to seal the sensitive areas if the dentin is exposed. It provides long-term relief from the pain.

Common Myths About Veneers & Sensitivity

Some myths revolve around the veneers & tooth sensitivity that may confuse people considering the veneers. Let’s debunk them.

Veneers Make All Teeth Sensitive

Tooth sensitivity only happens in the teeth covered with the veneers, not all the teeth. It’s because of the removal of the enamel from those teeth to prepare them to bond the veneers. Also, not everyone feels sensitivity as it varies person to person.

Sensitivity Never Goes Away

Sensitivity and the tingling or discomfort with it fade within a few days or a couple of weeks. It’s not an ongoing pain after the veneers. If it is, it signals serious issues, and you should let your dentist know about it.

Veneers Always Lead to Sensitivity

No, veneers don’t always lead to sensitivity. Some people feel temporary sensitivity, while some don’t feel it at all. It’s not guaranteed, and you may not have it, or have it for a very short time. You can also manage it easily with home-based oral care and medications.

Veneers Weaken Teeth and Cause Decay

They don’t increase your risk of cavities and tooth decay as long as they are bonded to your teeth by a qualified dentist. Brushing two to three times a day, flossing, and routine checkups can all provide an additional layer of protection.

Veneers Are Just About Looks

Veneers aren’t only about the looks, but they can strengthen the teeth, cover damage, and improve the bite. 

Schedule a Free Consultation at Asli Tarcan Clinic

Misalignment, discoloration, staining, and cracked teeth not only affect your appearance but also affect the bite and your daily routine. Let us transform your smile by correcting the flaws of your teeth with our veneer solution. 

We offer porcelain and composite veneers in Turkey from our experienced dentist, equipped with modern and safe bonding techniques that offer a guaranteed natural-looking and long-lasting smile. Contact us for a free consultation today.

Conclusion

Sensitivity after veneer treatment is normal due to the enamel removal, which exposes the dentin layer that is sensitive to extreme temperatures. It usually fades within 1 to 2 weeks, and you start to feel veneers just like your natural teeth with a transformed smile. If the sensitivity persists, it can signal an underlying cause of serious issues. 

You must let your dentist know about it, and they can offer you a veneer adjustment, replacement, and covering the exposed dentin that will give you long-term relief from the pain. Furthermore, you can try out home-based preventive care for sensitivity, such as warm salt rinse, soft foods, room-temperature meals, avoiding sweet or spicy foods, breaking bad habits, wearing a night guard, and over-the-counter meds.

For the modern veneers solution, you can count on Asli Tarcan Dental Clinic.

FAQS

Are veneers good for sensitive teeth?

Yes, they can be helpful for sensitive teeth as they protect the weak enamel, offering comfort.

Is sensitivity after veneers permanent?

No, the sensitivity after veneers isn’t permanent, and it usually fades within 1 to 2 weeks. If it lasts longer than that, it’s a concern, and you must talk to your dentist about it.

What if veneers cause sensitivity?

They may cause sensitivity due to the enamel removal, but you can manage it with medications, following oral care, and also avoiding triggers such as too hot or too cold foods and drinks. It subsides within a few days and weeks.

Can a cosmetic dentist treat sensitivity?

Yes, if it’s about the veneers, they can adjust, replace, or seal the exposed dentin for relief. However, if there’s any other underlying cause, they may suggest a better treatment with other doctors.