Are you frustrated by one or more aesthetic flaws in your grin, like stubborn stains you can’t seem to brush away, chipped or cracked enamel, or mild gaps or misalignments? Your dentist offers several cosmetic services, like porcelain veneers, that can address your concerns and enhance your appearance.
However, many patients worry that these restorations will look or feel bulky, awkward, or unnatural. If you’re unsure what veneers usually feel like, continue reading to learn why you can set your fears aside!
What Are Veneers?
This treatment involves cementing thin shells, usually made from resilient ceramic, on the front surfaces of your enamel to mask unsightly imperfections in your smile. These covers are carefully customized to be the right shape, hue, and size to match your natural teeth for beautiful, seamless results.
However, for them to fit correctly, your dentist must remove a small amount of enamel. This protective outer layer doesn’t regenerate, making this an irreversible change to the structure of your teeth.
What Do Veneers Feel Like?
Some patients worry that placing veneers will hurt, but that’s not usually the case. The amount of enamel that’s thinned is minimal, usually only 0.2 to 0.5 mm, to preserve your dental health. Plus, your dentist will likely apply a local anesthetic before this preparatory step to help you feel calm and comfortable.
Others fear their restorations might seem bulky or interfere with their ability to perform daily tasks, like eating or speaking. While you might develop a temporary lisp while your tongue acclimates to the shells, the effect is usually temporary and resolves on its own in time.
Thankfully, veneers are intended to fit comfortably in your mouth without any noticeable protrusion, so once you’ve adjusted, you might even forget they’re there!
How Long Does it Take to Adjust to Veneers?
Although it might vary slightly based on your individual circumstances, most people acclimate to the presence of these cosmetics within a week or two. During this time, you might notice mild sensitivity, especially when eating anything overly hot or cold. This sometimes happens when your enamel is prepared because more of the underlying dentin layer is exposed.
You might also notice small alterations in how your teeth come together when you close your mouth, and could struggle to enunciate certain sounds, like “s”, “v” or “th”. Some patients also feel too tender to eat hard or crunchy foods for a little while.
It’s usually safe to take over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or ibuprofen to alleviate any discomfort. You can also contact our office if you continue to struggle with a lisp or slur. We may be able to thin the shell slightly to reduce its impact.
Fortunately, most people overcome these changes within about 4 to 8 weeks, so it likely won’t be long before you can show off your recently upgraded grin!
About the Practice
Patients at Main Line Dental Group benefit from a team of dentists who share decades of combined experience. Dr. Alex, Dr. Williams, and Dr. Woo collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services to people of all ages, including cosmetics. They take the time to learn your unique concerns and smile goals, then they utilize state-of-the-art equipment to deliver comfortable, accurate results intended to last. If you’re interested in veneers, you can request an appointment on the website or by calling (610) 971-0717.