Are Emax veneers uncomfortable or unsafe?

When compared to other veneers, Emax veneers are virtually painless, and most patients will be able to sit through a fitting without anaesthetic or extensive drilling. Of course, there’s no accounting for your own personal tolerance for pain, but the majority of patients are pleasantly surprised at how comfortable they are during the treatment.

Other types of veneers are made using either composite bonding material or porcelain, and are much thicker than Emax, which means they require a larger amount of drilling and reshaping before they can be fitted, which is more uncomfortable for the patient, and more time consuming. Emax veneers are incredibly durable, and the specially treated porcelain used to manufacture them can be cut to very thin shells, so that they can be placed over the natural teeth with very little remodelling beforehand. For this kind of procedure using traditional porcelain veneers, it is normally necessary to anaesthetise the patient to some degree, usually with local anaesthetic, but by eliminating the need for extensive reshaping, Emax can boast more natural-looking results, with very little discomfort.

Are you saying I won’t need an injection?

It’s possible that you could have Emax veneers fitted without any anaesthetic at all, but in practice, it really depends on your personal circumstances, and whether your dentist would be more comfortable operating on you when you are numb to any pain. In theory, the manufacturing and fitting process for Emax veneers means that you are less likely to need any pain relief during the procedure, but there’s no way to guarantee that without some input from your dentist. If you have a particular problem with larger teeth, there may be more reduction required, as the shells won’t fit over your natural teeth without looking out of proportion or too bulky. Also, if you are using veneers to cover some minor dental malocclusions, it’s likely that some of the problem areas will need to be dealt with before the treatment can go ahead, and you may need some type of anaesthetic.

I really don’t like needles, if I have Emax veneers, what are the chances I can avoid an injection at all?

Just because the technique works for some patients, doesn’t mean it should be indiscriminately used for everyone, especially if it is not in the interests of the patient to do so. When it comes down to it, your dentist will decide whether or not anaesthetic is required, and they will administer it where they see fit, keeping discomfort to a minimum at all times. The main aim of this treatment is to get you – the patient – the best results in as painless a way as possible, if that means you might need an injection, you should always defer to your dentists expertise.

If you’re really worried about needles, rest assured that they are really only a minor discomfort, and receiving anaesthetic shouldn’t stop you from getting the smile of your dreams. Furthermore, there are brilliant new concepts such as the Wand, which uses the latest computer technology to administer anaesthetic at the correct rate and in the appropriate amount, and has revolutionised the process. The Pearl Dental Clinic is one surgery that provides such equipment for use with nervous people, so give them a call if you’re worried about injections, their friendly staff have years of experience with anxious patients and can help you overcome your fears in no time.

Are there any other safety concerns I should be aware of?

You should know that it takes a lot more skill and training than people realise to fit Emax veneers successfully and to make them appear as natural as real teeth, going to any old surgeon that you know nothing about will likely leave you with less than satisfactory results. Make sure your chosen dentist has all the necessary qualifications, and displays the certificates to prove it. You could also do yourself a favour by checking online reviews or asking around your acquaintances to see if anyone has experience with certain surgeries. Take some time to speak to the staff members at prospective clinics, and see if they have expansive knowledge of all the services they provide – you don’t want to end up with a surgeon who is more interested in how much money you can afford to pay, than what’s best for your health. If you feel uncomfortable in the environment, or you don’t feel the team members are experienced enough for your liking, then chose somewhere else; they’re your teeth and it’s your money, don’t settle for anywhere that appears over-priced or under-qualified.

Overall health is often a concern for some patients, especially if they have had a bad reaction in the past, if you are a particularly nervous person, speak with your dentist beforehand and try to explain what makes you so fearful, they should be able to calm your worries by talking you through the surgical experience one step at a time. No decent oral surgeon will press you to go ahead if you’re feeling uncomfortable; they should adjust the treatment accordingly, and only continue once you are ready. If you’re very anxious, they may offer you some sedation, which is generally in the form of an inhalant, and is used to relax you and make you feel more at ease during the operation. If you have ever experienced an allergic reaction to anaesthetic of any kind, make sure your dentist is fully aware of this before going ahead; they need to know anything that could affect your treatment or your health as a whole.

Even with less invasive techniques, like Emax veneers, there is still a recovery period that follows the fitting process, during which time you need to take care of your new teeth and avoid hard, sticky foods, like boiled sweets or toffees. The veneers are very hard-wearing, and they are bonded to your teeth using a very strong dental adhesive, but that doesn’t make them completely indestructible, so take some time to get used to the new additions, before you return to your usual daily routine.