When it comes to achieving the smile of your dreams, dental veneers continue to be a popular choice throughout Atlanta. Veneers can address a wide variety of cosmetic dental issues with your front-facing teeth all at once, and they don’t require any complicated surgeries or an extended recovery time.
While this procedure is highly versatile and often life-changing, it’s not necessarily suitable for every patient. For instance, if your teeth are significantly damaged, decayed, or misaligned, you’ll likely need other treatments before receiving veneers.
But what about someone with sensitive teeth? Would veneers worsen the issue, or could they potentially make it better? Here is what you need to know about dental veneers for sensitive teeth.
What Are Dental Veneers?
Dental veneers are a cosmetic dental procedure that can correct various issues with your front teeth and provide you with a beautiful, symmetrical smile.
The procedure involves the placement of thin tooth-like shells over the front-facing teeth. These shells are custom-designed to fit your unique smile and match the color of your natural teeth.
What Issues Can Dental Veneers Address?
Some of the most notable concerns dental veneers can address include:
- Chips and cracks
- Small gaps
- Minor misalignment
- Discoloration
Other procedures must be used to treat more serious issues with front-facing teeth, such as significant misalignment or damage. Your dentist can help you determine whether veneers are right for your situation.
Dental Veneers and Sensitive Teeth
Many people have heightened tooth sensitivity due to an oral health issue or their natural tooth structure. This uncomfortable condition can make enjoying hot or cold food or drink difficult. If you have sensitive teeth, you may be concerned that dental veneers are unsuitable. Fortunately, the opposite is often true; dental veneers can provide added protection to your sensitive teeth and help you live your everyday life more comfortably.
However, it is important to remember that you may experience temporary tooth sensitivity upon receiving dental veneers. This issue will dissipate as you complete your recovery process.
What Causes Sensitive Teeth?
There are a few reasons why your teeth may be extra sensitive to hot and cold, including:
Damage
Even slight damage to a tooth can expose the dentin beneath the protective enamel layer. This exposure can result in increased sensitivity.
Gum Recession
Gum disease can lead to a receding of the gum line. This recession exposes sensitive tooth roots, making hot and cold temperatures uncomfortable.
Tooth Decay
Tooth decay begins when enamel wears away, exposing the sensitive layers of the tooth to the elements.
Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
Clenching and grinding the teeth can wear away enamel. Many people who deal with teeth grinding also struggle with teeth sensitivity.
Aging
No one likes getting older for many reasons. The slow erosion of tooth enamel and subsequent increased tooth sensitivity can be one of them.
Genetics
Some people are genetically predisposed to sensitive teeth. This can be due to naturally thinner enamel and other issues.
How Can Dental Veneers Help Those With Sensitive Teeth?
If your sensitive teeth result from an oral health issue, you may need to seek other treatments to reduce sensitivity. However, dental veneers alone can offer benefits to those dealing with sensitive teeth, including:
Extra Protection
Tooth sensitivity is often the result of enamel erosion. Once you’ve lost your tooth enamel, you can’t get it back. However, you can replace that enamel with dental veneers and provide your natural teeth with a new protective layer.
Defense Against Further Enamel Erosion
You can’t regain the enamel you’ve lost, so protecting your teeth against further erosion is the next best thing. Dental veneers can help ensure that your natural teeth don’t sustain any further damage or decay and that the increased sensitivity tends to come with such issues.
The Joy of a Smile You Love to Share
Teeth can be sensitive, but we can also be sensitive about our teeth. If you don’t have a smile that you feel 100% confident in, it can impact your self-esteem and leave you feeling insecure whenever you show your teeth.
Dental veneers can give you a smile that no longer makes you feel uncomfortable, physically or emotionally.
Quality Dental Veneers From Dr. Brett Langston
Wondering if dental veneers are right for your smile? Dr. Brett Langston and the skilled team at Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists have proudly served the Atlanta community for over 50 years. Contact us to learn how we can transform your smile today.