Nobody likes to be in pain. In fact, most people will go out of their way to avoid it. Whether it’s wearing a helmet and knee pads when skating, or oven mitts when baking, many technologies have been developed to keep us safe and free from discomfort. But what about when it comes to cosmetic dentistry? Will improving your smile hurt? Here’s what you need to know about pain and elective dental procedures, and why you don’t need to suffer for a beautiful smile!
Does Cosmetic Dentistry Hurt?
This is a common question dentists get a lot. The truth is, most cosmetic dentistry procedures don’t hurt, and for those that might hurt a little, your dentist will numb your mouth first. Furthermore, most don’t cause much in the way of post-treatment discomfort, but if you do notice any lingering sensitivity, it can usually be successfully treated with over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Which Cosmetic Dentistry Procedures are the Most Invasive?
Thankfully, most cosmetic dentistry procedures are minimally invasive. With veneers, your dentist will need to remove a very small amount of enamel from each tooth receiving treatment. While this is not painful, your dentist will still numb your mouth. Following this step, your teeth may feel sensitive for a few days until your veneers are ready to be applied. You will be fitted with temporary veneers to help protect your teeth and keep pain at bay, but a little discomfort isn’t uncommon.
Another treatment that may leave your teeth feeling a little sensitive is professional whitening. This happens because to work, powerful whitening agents must enter the tiny pores in your teeth. This can sometimes temporarily irritate the nerves but typically only lasts a few days after your treatment concludes. It may take a bit longer if you are undergoing at-home treatment, as this takes a few weeks to complete, but for in-office whitening you can expect to feel better in two to three days. You can also speed up the recovery process by using an OTC sensitive toothpaste that deposits minerals in your teeth to help eliminate discomfort.
Remember, while cosmetic dentistry is typically painless, if your procedure may cause discomfort, your dentist will numb you. Recovering from elective dental treatments is usually well managed with OTC pain relievers, and lingering sensitivity usually only lasts a few days, making cosmetic dentistry an easy, comfortable, and beneficial branch of oral health care!
About Our Practice
At Temple Choice Dental, we proudly offer a variety of cosmetic dentistry treatments for patients looking to improve the appearance of their smile. We understand that undergoing even elective dental procedures can be a little intimidating, which is why we take the utmost care to ensure that you are treated gently and numbed when appropriate.
Don’t let fear of discomfort hold you back from achieving your smile goals. Schedule a consultation with us today to discuss how cosmetic dentistry can help you. You can request an appointment on our website, or call our friendly office team at 254-727-7144.