No prep veneers are everywhere right now. I have been placing prep-less veneers for over a decade, and I love them in the right mouth. So here is the honest version.
No prep veneers can be beautiful, for the right smile
When teeth are smaller, sit a little inward, or the smile needs building out rather than reshaping, prep-less can be extraordinary: thin, hand-layered porcelain added to the teeth you already have.
Minimal is my philosophy. When nothing needs to be removed, I would rather not remove anything.
When prep-less is not the right fit
Not every smile is a prep-less smile. When teeth are already full or flared, or the smile needs more change, adding porcelain on top can add bulk. Bulk is what makes a smile look applied instead of natural.
That is why I decide tooth by tooth. One tooth may need nothing. Another may need a whisper of refinement so the porcelain ends invisibly. The plan follows your smile, not a trend.
How I decide
It starts with a ninety-minute consultation. We talk about your history and the smile you want. I examine your teeth, gums and bite, and we take x-rays, scans and photos.
By the end, you have an honest answer about what is possible, what isn’t, and what I would actually recommend, including whether no prep veneers are right for you.
If you want to know how much tooth is involved when a little refinement is needed, I explain it in how much will you shave my teeth. And for the full picture, read my guide to porcelain veneers in Beverly Hills.
A good question to bring
Ask your dentist: am I a candidate for no prep veneers, and why? A tooth-by-tooth answer means your smile is being designed for you.
I see patients in Beverly Hills and New York.
Continue reading: How much will you shave my teeth? · Do veneers ruin your teeth?
Common questions
Are no prep veneers better than traditional veneers?
For the right candidate they are a beautiful option. For a smile that needs more change, they can add bulk. It depends on your teeth.
Who is a candidate for no prep veneers?
Often smaller teeth, teeth that sit inward, or smiles that need building out. Fuller or flared teeth usually need at least some refinement.
Do no prep veneers look bulky?
They can when the smile is not right for prep-less. Designed for the right mouth, they look natural.
What is the difference between no prep and minimal prep veneers?
No prep adds porcelain without refining the tooth. Minimal prep refines very little so the porcelain can end invisibly. I decide tooth by tooth.
This article is general information only and not a substitute for a personal exam and treatment plan from your own dentist.
Cosmetic dentist at Apa Aesthetic in Beverly Hills and New York since 2015. NYU College of Dentistry. Founder and Chief Education Officer of Stribe, where she has trained more than 1,000 dentists.
About Dr. Andi
