Got my front four teeth done with composite veneers about two weeks ago. When I drink cold water or coffee, there's this sharp pain that shoots through them. The dentist said it would settle down but it's still pretty bad. Should I be worried or is this just part of the healing process?
Some sensitivity after composite veneers is normal since the procedure involves removing a thin layer of tooth structure, but two weeks in it should be improving rather than staying sharp. The pain could mean a few things - maybe the veneer isn't perfectly sealed at the edges, there's some inflammation still happening underneath, or you've got exposed dentin that needs protection. I'd call your dentist back and describe exactly when it hurts (only cold, or pressure too?) because this warrants a quick check-up rather than just waiting it out. There are desensitizing treatments they can apply or adjustments they might need to make, so don't tough it out if it's still that intense.
If it's still sharp after two weeks, your dentist might need to check if the veneers are sitting too high on your bite - that can trap nerve irritation instead of letting it calm down. The tricky part nobody mentions is that sensitivity can linger way longer than expected if there's even slight pressure misalignment, so don't assume it'll just fade on its own like typical post-procedure discomfort would.
Ask your dentist specifically about desensitizing treatment - most places can apply a fluoride gel or bonded desensitizer right to the exposed dentin, and it genuinely works fast. Two weeks out, yeah, some sensitivity happens, but sharp pain that's not trending downward is worth a follow-up visit, not just reassurance.
The thing nobody always mentions is that composite veneers sometimes have microscopic gaps or don't seal perfectly along the gum line, especially on the front teeth where you're super aware of everything. If your dentist didn't use a proper bonding agent underneath or if the prep wasn't sealed well, that leaves the tooth exposed to temperature changes. It's not always a bite issue - sometimes it's just the prep site not being fully protected.
In the meantime, switch to a soft toothbrush and steer clear of acidic stuff (citrus, wine, soda) because that irritates exposed dentin even more. If the sensitivity is only on certain teeth or worse on one side, mention that specifically when you call back - it helps them narrow down whether it's a seal problem, bite alignment, or just normal post-procedure nerve settling. Don't tough it out for weeks hoping it'll pass on its own.
Two weeks is getting long for sharp pain to still be going strong, so I'd lean toward this being more than just normal settling. When I've had dental work done, discomfort usually peaks in the first few days and fades pretty steadily after that. The fact yours hasn't improved suggests something might be off - could be the bite alignment, or maybe the prep exposed more sensitive dentin than expected. I'd push your dentist to take another look rather than just waiting it out, especially since there are quick fixes like desensitizing treatments that work pretty well.
Sharp pain at two weeks suggests something's off rather than just normal sensitivity fading - the others are right that you need to get back to your dentist. One thing worth checking that doesn't always get mentioned: sometimes the veneer prep leaves the margin (edge) positioned below the gum line, which can cause chronic irritation and sensitivity that desensitizers won't fully fix. Before settling for fluoride gel, have them examine exactly where the veneer edges sit and whether the bite alignment is actually even, since a slightly high contact point can keep the nerve aggravated indefinitely.
Sharp pain that's still going strong at two weeks is worth getting checked out - sounds like it might be sitting too high in your bite, which keeps the nerve irritated instead of letting it settle. I had some dental work done once and the sensitivity was definitely worst the first few days, then faded pretty steadily, so if yours isn't improving by now something's probably off and a quick call back to your dentist makes sense.
Sharp pain at two weeks usually means something needs adjusting - I'd push back on your dentist's "it'll settle" and request they check the bite alignment, since veneers that sit even slightly high can keep nerves irritated instead of letting them calm down. One thing people don't always realize: sensitivity can also come from the bonding material being applied too close to exposed dentin, which a desensitizing treatment (fluoride gel or bonded sealant) can fix pretty quickly once they identify the exact spot. Don't just wait it out expecting improvement - that sharp sensation shooting through is your tooth telling you something's off, and two weeks is long enough to warrant a follow-up visit.
Sharp pain that's not improving by week two warrants a closer look, but here's what the earlier answers haven't really highlighted: sometimes the veneers themselves are fine, but your bite got shifted slightly during the prep work, and you're now clenching or grinding on that spot without realizing it - which keeps the nerve fired up instead of calming down. When you go back to your dentist, mention specifically whether the pain hits only when something cold touches the teeth or if you also feel tenderness when chewing, because that distinction actually matters for what's causing it.
Log into answer.
