My Blog

Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
Tags
- crown (2)
- oral health (23)
- celebrity smiles (65)
- dental injuries (3)
- medications (1)
- chipped teeth (2)
- tooth wear (2)
- veneers (3)
- porcelain veneers (3)
- cosmetic dentistry (10)
- teeth whitening (2)
- dental implants (21)
- crowns (5)
- snoring (2)
- sleep apnea (2)
- braces (4)
- dental anxiety (2)
- bonding (2)
- dentures (5)
- wisdom teeth (2)
- gum disease (7)
- oral hygiene (26)
- pediatric care (1)
- sensitive teeth (2)
- burning mouth syndrome (1)
- dental care (4)
- tooth grinding (1)
- saliva (2)
- pediatric dentistry (4)
- mouthguards (5)
- tooth pain (2)
- teeth wear (1)
- medication (1)
- root canal (2)
- diabetes (2)
- mouthguard (1)
- tooth decay (8)
- orthodontics (2)
- tooth erosion (1)
- teeth grinding (2)
- gummy smile (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- toothache (3)
- missing teeth (1)
- bad breath (1)
- shingles (1)
- dental injury (7)
- smile makeover (2)
- athletic mouthguards (2)
- dental emergency (1)
- wedding day smile (1)
- pregnancy (1)
- chipped tooth (5)
- mouthrinse (1)
- fluoride (2)
- toothbrush (1)
- bone grafting (2)
- bleeding gums (1)
- retainer (1)
- x-rays (1)
- plaque (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- bacteria (1)
- oral cancer (3)
- laser dentistry (1)
- tmd (3)
- tmj disorders (2)
- tmj (3)
- dry mouth (1)
- aspirin (1)
- flossing (1)
- sedation dentistry (1)
- nutrition (2)
- x-ray (1)
- removable partial denture (1)
- baby teeth (1)
- jaw pain (2)
- dental implant (6)
- orthodontic treatment (3)
- insurance (1)
- thumb sucking (1)
- blood pressure medications (1)
- medicine (1)
- cold sore (1)
Categories:

Dental veneers—thin, life-like layers of porcelain bonded to teeth—can turn a so-so smile into a beautiful one. But most veneers have a distinct drawback: To make them look as natural as possible, the teeth they're bonded with must have some of their surface enamel removed.
Even though they're 1 millimeter or less in thickness, veneers on an unprepared tooth can look bulky. Removing some of the surface enamel remedies this, but doing so permanently alters the tooth. The tooth will need a veneer or some other protective restoration from then on.
Now, though, there's an alternative veneer available for many dental patients. Known as No-Prep or Minimal-Prep, these new veneers are often as thin as a contact lens.
These new types of veneers can often be placed directly on the teeth just above the gum line without any enamel removal and look natural. At the most, the enamel beneath them may need reshaping with an abrasive tool. And, unlike traditional veneers with tooth alteration, these low-prep veneers can often be applied without anesthesia, and in as few as two appointments.
No- or Minimal-Preps are better suited for certain kinds of patients: those with small teeth or teeth that appear small due to larger mouth features; worn teeth from aging or teeth grinding or with small gaps; narrow smiles where the side teeth aren't as visible; and teeth that are slightly misshapen or with minor staining.
On the other hand, patients with oversized teeth or front teeth that jut forward may still encounter problems with an unnatural, bulky appearance even with ultra-thin veneers. The latter situation can often be corrected with orthodontic treatment first to realign the teeth to their proper positions. Once the bite is corrected, no-prep veneers may then become a viable option.
If you'd like to consider these minimal preparation veneers, see your dentist for an examination. The exam results will help determine what type of veneer solution is right for you. And whether you go with traditional or No-Prep veneers, the change in your smile can be amazing.
If you would like more information on porcelain veneers without enamel removal, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation. You can also learn more about this topic by reading the Dear Doctor magazine article “No-Prep Porcelain Veneers.”