If you’re thinking about getting porcelain veneers but are apprehensive about the pain involved, you’ve come to the right place!
Here at Dental Boutique, we have collectively completed over 28,000 porcelain veneers over the last 2 years alone, so it’s safe to say we know a thing or two about what’s involved.
A commonly asked question I get from patients is whether it hurts to get porcelain veneers.
This article aims to educate you on the process involved in getting porcelain veneers, so you know exactly what to expect if you do decide to go ahead with treatment.
We will also cover why it should not hurt to get porcelain veneers and explain why porcelain veneers are safe when applied by a trained dentist.
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are thin shells of porcelain that get bonded to the front surface of the tooth to change its overall appearance.
At Dental Boutique, we take great pride in customising each and every one of our hand-crafted VeneerMe porcelain veneers, ensuring our patients achieve their dream smile every single time.
Porcelain veneers mimic (and improve upon) the look of natural teeth, by correcting, amongst other things:
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Teeth with gaps
- Misshapen or misaligned teeth
- Discoloured teeth
- Crooked teeth (depending on the severity)
- A gummy smile.
Due to the natural appearance and durability of porcelain as a material, it is considered to be the best available option for patients looking to create a smile that is truly spectacular.
When installed by an experienced dentist, and taken care of with good dental hygiene, porcelain veneers can last up to 20 years before needing replacement.
Beyond the cosmetic benefits, porcelain veneers can also further protect your natural teeth and improve the function of your bite by adjusting the alignment and size of the teeth in your mouth.
And the best part about it is that it does not hurt to get porcelain veneers. But we’ll touch on that more later.
How are porcelain veneers applied?
At Dental Boutique, we aim to make the process of getting porcelain veneers as simple and stress-free as possible for each patient.
Porcelain veneers are usually placed over the course of three appointments.
The process is generally as follows:
- The first appointment is a comprehensive cosmetic consultation where one of our dentists will examine your teeth to determine whether porcelain veneers are a suitable treatment for you. If so, the dentist will take scans of the mouth and send them away to the ceramist so they can create your personalised veneers.
- The second appointment is where one of our dentists prepares the teeth receiving the porcelain veneers. They do this by removing a very small amount of enamel from the surface of the tooth, so the veneer can sit flush with the rest of the tooth. Without this process, the tooth would look incredibly bulky, and unattractive. Once this layer of enamel has been removed, temporary veneers are placed over the teeth until the porcelain veneers are ready, which generally takes around 2 weeks.
- The third appointment is where our dentists bond the porcelain veneers to the tooth and make any necessary revisions.
While we aim to make the process as quick as possible for the patient, we are always fastidious with our work and do not stop until the patient’s smile is everything they envisioned.
For a more in-depth look at the process of getting porcelain veneers, please visit our Porcelain Veneers page.
Does it hurt to get porcelain veneers?
We know dental procedures can be daunting, and many people fear that their desired or required treatment will be painful.
So, do porcelain veneers hurt?
Despite what you may have heard, getting porcelain veneers does not hurt, and may be the solution for you if you are looking to transform your smile.
For most veneer patients, their biggest concern often stems from the fact that their teeth need to be smoothed down to allow the veneer room to sit over the tooth.
While this process may sound daunting, in reality, for most patients it is a fairly simple, quick and pain-free process with outstanding results.
In rare cases, some patients with very sensitive teeth may experience some discomfort but generally speaking, the pain, if any, involved with getting veneers is very minor.
Our dentists remove only the minimum amount of tooth in preparation for the veneer.
In most cases, this means the amount of enamel that we remove is less than 0.3 millimetres; this is about the thickness of a fingernail or eggshell. This is done gently and carefully, ensuring no nerves are disturbed.
Another reason why it does not hurt to get porcelain veneers is because the patient is generally under local anaesthetic as this happens. This means that most patients will experience minimal to no discomfort during this part of the procedure as they will be numb.
Do veneers make your teeth sensitive?
While the procedure itself is basically pain-free, it is worth noting that for some patients, it can hurt to get porcelain veneers and experience mild tooth sensitivity while they are wearing their temporary veneers.
This is because there is slightly less enamel between the nerve and whatever hot or cold substance is entering the mouth.
This discomfort should only be mild and it can easily be managed by over-the-counter painkillers.
Tooth sensitivity can also occur after the porcelain veneers have been bonded to the teeth. This sensitivity is typically mild and can also be minimised by over-the-counter painkillers.
The sensitivity will gradually dissipate as the nerve heals and the mouth gets used to the veneers.
The way each patient heals and recovers is different, however, it is generally the case that most patients feel no sensitivity at all, within a few days of getting porcelain veneers.
Are porcelain veneers safe?
Yes, provided they are applied by a skilled dentist, porcelain veneers are entirely safe.
In fact, porcelain veneers can actually protect your natural teeth. Porcelain doesn’t stain and is resistant to damage, so you’ll be protecting your natural teeth from those dreaded red wine stains.
The veneer itself is made from porcelain, which is biocompatible. This means you won’t have to worry about having an allergic reaction to the material. Your dentist will also use a bonding agent that is safe for you and your teeth.
While veneers will offer your teeth some protection, it’s important to note that it’s still possible to get cavities underneath your veneers.
While you cannot get cavities on the veneers, the veneer only adds a layer of protection to the front of the tooth. It’s still possible for your teeth to become decayed under the veneer.
This typically happens due to improper dental hygiene and excessive sugar intake.
It’s very important to maintain excellent dental hygiene — daily flossing and brushing and biannual dental checkups — when you have veneers.
Remember, your natural teeth are still sitting underneath the porcelain and still need to be cared for.
Are porcelain veneers strong?
Porcelain veneers may be thin, but they are mighty.
They are incredibly strong and are resistant to chips, cracks and fractures. Only the best high-quality porcelain is used to make veneers; they may have a glass-like construction, but they are very stable.
Porcelain veneers are temperature resistant too, so you can sip on your hot tea or ice-cold beverage without worry that your veneers will be damaged.
However, you’ll need to take excellent care of your veneers just as you would with your natural teeth.
If you crunch on ice or use your teeth to open bottles, you will inevitably damage your veneers.
Provided you’re not using your teeth improperly, and so long as you don’t experience a sporting injury, you shouldn’t experience damage to your veneers.
You can safely bite and chew your favourite foods of all textures and temperatures!
Can porcelain veneers be replaced?
Yes, porcelain veneers can be replaced.
Veneers that are properly applied and well cared-for should last 10 to 15 years before they need to be replaced.
If you practise great dental hygiene and visit your dentist regularly, your veneers could last 20 to 30 years.
However, if you have an accidental breakage or if your veneers wear down after many years, they will need to be replaced.
The good news is that they can be removed and replaced with minimal fuss. The process of replacing veneers is similar to having them applied.
If your tooth isn’t severely damaged, your veneer can be replaced in one to two visits.
Your dentist will start by removing the old veneers. They will file the veneer away, taking care not to damage your natural tooth.
Remember, it does not hurt to get porcelain veneers when they’re applied correctly, so you won’t need to worry about severe pain with this procedure. If you experience discomfort, this can be treated with over-the-counter painkillers.
Then, your dentist will smooth out the surface of your natural tooth so that the adhesive can be applied.
Next, you’ll make an impression of your natural tooth. Your dentist will use this to shape and create both your temporary and permanent replacement veneers.
Your dentist will then give you temporary veneers to wear in the meantime while your permanent porcelain veneer is created.
When the permanent veneers are ready, you’ll head back in and it will be bonded to your tooth.
Are porcelain veneers worth it?
If you’re looking for a permanent solution to uneven, stained or misaligned teeth, porcelain veneers are certainly worth it.
When cared for properly, your veneers will last 10 to 25 years, so you can enjoy your bright and white smile for years to come!
As long as you clean them properly, veneers will also offer you the benefit of protecting your natural teeth from damage.
It’s important to note that once you get your veneers, you will need them for life. If your veneers break or become damaged, they will need to be replaced.
If you are going to invest in veneers, remember that this is a life-long commitment.
A final word
It should not hurt to get porcelain veneers.
Like almost any medical procedure, porcelain veneers may lead to some discomfort, but overall, our patients report they experience little to no discomfort when getting porcelain veneers.
If you do experience discomfort, it should be minimal, temporary, and completely manageable with over-the-counter painkillers.
All in all, any pain resulting from the procedure is negligible when weighed against the truly transformative nature of the porcelain veneers.
If you’re interested in getting porcelain veneers, contact us today and we can provide you with further information.
