Veneers are a versatile way to transform many aspects of your smile in one, beautiful, long-lasting treatment. But while most procedures are well-tolerated, occasionally some patients may experience side effects. Here are a few things to keep an eye out for following your treatment, and what you should do if they happen.
Sensitive Teeth
Tooth sensitivity is probably the most common side effect of veneers. In order to fit them on your teeth, your dentist must remove a very small amount of enamel from each tooth. Because this layer protects them against sensitivity, reducing it can leave them vulnerable until your permanent veneers are cemented in place. In some rare cases, you may experience sensitivity for weeks or even months after they are placed. If this does not clear up after about six months, reach out to your dentist for help, as this could be the sign of an injury to the nerve of your tooth.
Noticeable Color Differences
Today’s veneers are very easy to match to the rest of your smile, and thankfully shade discrepancies are very rare. However, in some cases the edges of your natural tooth may be visible along the sides of your veneer, making the color differences obvious.
Furthermore, while your veneers are stain resistant, the cement holding them to your teeth can become discolored over time. If this happens, you may need to replace the cement or the entire veneer.
Gum Inflammation
It is common to experience minor gum inflammation and sensitivity following the installation of veneers. Thankfully, this is temporary and should clear up within a few days. If you are still experiencing soreness during your follow-up exam, be sure to inform your dentist.
Minor Discomfort
While some patients never experience any side effects, some may feel some minor discomfort during their treatment. This should go away within a day or so. To reduce your odds of any pain, you can take OTC pain reliever about 30 minutes before your appointment, and as needed following completion.
Increased Risk of Trauma
While extremely rare, it is possible during veneers treatment that some of your tooth pulp may die, causing sensitivity. If you are concerned about this or any lingering pain, speak to your dentist about alternative treatments such as crowns or tooth-colored fillings.
Remember, while they don’t happen often, side effects from veneers treatment are still possible. If you have experienced any of the above symptoms, speak to your dentist. Thankfully, most go away within a few days or weeks, but your dentist will be happy to take a closer look and ensure that your veneers are in good shape and your teeth are healthy and strong.
About Our Practice
At Cambria Smiles, our team of talented and caring dentists are ready to help improve your smile with a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures, including veneers. If you’d like to transform multiple aspects of your smile in one convenient, long-lasting treatment, veneers can change the shape, size, and color of your teeth. They can even address minor spacing issues like crooked or gapped teeth.
To schedule a consultation and learn more about this dynamic treatment, please visit our website or call us today at 805-927-4811.