Traditional vs No-Prep Veneers

Veneers have become a revolutionary procedure for people needing cosmetic dental enhancements for correcting and transforming imperfect teeth. Veneers provide a cosmetic, simple solution to chips, discolorations, and minor misalignment in the teeth. These thin shells can be placed along the tooth’s surface and cover the imperfections to create a visually perfect smile. They’re usually attached to the front eight teeth and cost between $800 to $2,500 per tooth. Depending on the type of veneers chosen, they’ll last about five to seven years before needing touch-ups, and multiple options can be used as alternatives. Here, we’ll discuss the options for veneers and how they can help you achieve a healthier smile.

What’s the Difference?

Traditional veneers are typically made out of porcelain. They’re bonded permanently to the teeth and rely on intense prep work to be appropriately attached. When installed, they require parts of the enamel to be ground down approximately 0.5 to 0.7 mm of an inch or twice the eggshell’s thickness for placement. For this procedure, the patient must have healthy enamel, as less than healthy enamel will increase the likeliness of the veneers failing. This removal for the procedure is necessary because veneers require a permanent fixture to work as intended. However, traditional veneers can turn any chipped, cracked, or discolored tooth into a symmetrical, translucent tooth that aesthetically pleasing and proportional.

No-prep veneers, however, operate without the permanent side effects. Like traditional veneers, no-prep veneers don’t require the filing down of healthy enamel to be installed and bonded to the tooth to create that visually pleasing appearance. No prep veneers work for patients who cannot opt for composite bonding and don’t wish to go through grinding down the enamel to install them. They’re an excellent option for adolescents and adults with smaller teeth, slightly discolored, or worn down teeth. These veneers can also be removed by your dentist at any point, and don’t require any local anesthesia to install. At most, if you have sensitive teeth, a small amount of enamel and local anesthesia will be used.

Which Veneer is Right for Me?

Those looking into veneers will find that both options will give off a beautiful smile that’s attractive and appealing. Traditional veneers offer a more permanent solution for long-term fixes to their teeth, while no-prep veneers offer instant removal when needed. However, traditional veneers are less expensive than the no-prep varieties and can provide longer-lasting results through consistent care and maintenance. Depending on the discretion of your dentist, either choice will work best for minor imperfections in the teeth.

For whatever veneers you need, Dr. Brian Schowengert at Summit Dental can help you choose which dental procedure works best for you. His dentists and staff team will give you comprehensive dental services in Lee Summit, MO, such as dental exams and cosmetic procedures, at affordable prices. If you want to learn about Dr. Schowengerdt’s services, contact Summit Dental today to schedule an appointment.