Cosmetic dentistry is evolving at an impressive pace, and while tooth whitening can change your smile in notable ways, it can’t fix other imperfections. Porcelain veneers are no easy solution. They often require drilling and alteration of the tooth–a permanent change that’s expensive and potentially painful. No prep veneers resurface teeth without preparation. Porcelain is molded over the actual tooth, then attached with an adhesive.
Dentistry, like any other kind of medicine, should choose the most minimally invasive option available. This prevents needless erosion of your dental structure, giving you a long-lasting solution that should present far fewer problems over time. No prep solutions avoid the gum swelling associated with over-contouring. They’re a recent possibility thanks to modern reinforced ceramic systems, which are capable of achieving a 0.2mm thickness. While ceramics are prepared using a mold, the thinness of the coating is akin to applying a fresh coat of paint. Once the process is finished, excess cement is removed, and light activation is used.
Who is a Candidate for No-Prep Veneers?
If your teeth are relatively straight and in good health, no prep veneers can recolor them and improve their contour. They’re also ideal if you have a worn tooth. They’re cheaper than invasive veneers and shouldn’t result in the increased sensitivity that can come with bleaching.
If your teeth are slightly misaligned or you have minor chips, no prep veneers can be combined with partial veneers made from porcelain and ceramic fragments. Minor filing can reshape the tooth before application. No prep veneers are partially opaque, so if your teeth are particularly stained, you may not achieve a perfect white, but there are ways around that deficiency.
Potential Side Effects of No-Prep Veneers
No prep veneers are the width of a contact lens, but they can nonetheless create some bulkiness. That takes a little getting used to, but no more than with a new filling. If your teeth are closely spaced, proper cleaning will be slightly harder to achieve. A water flosser will resolve that problem and improve your dental hygiene exponentially.
Bleaching vs No-Prep Veneers
Bleaching isn’t a permanent solution. Teeth are vulnerable to discoloration, and bleaching requires a time investment. Trays must be worn for two hours a day for months, while veneers require only a few dentist visits. High-quality bleaching agents can produce excellent results, but porcelain is more resistant to stains. The latter is more expensive upfront, but its longevity balances that investment. Lasting whiteness of badly stained teeth is best achieved with a combination of bleaching and veneers.
Prep vs No-Prep Veneers
No prep veneers can’t correct severe misalignment or create enough room to achieve a perfect finish. Traditional veneers are bonded with dentin, which has a higher failure rate than that which is bonded to enamel. Prep veneers come with higher odds of gum recession, so if you already have gingival symptoms, they may not be a viable option. If you have heavy overlaps, no prep veneers won’t correct them. Even so, no prep contouring can focus only on removing nonsensitive tooth structure. This is a conservative treatment for minor imperfections. Your tooth surface is valuable, and it cannot be replaced, even with today’s innovative fabrications.
If you’re unsure about which solution to choose, your dentist can design a wax-up of what you can expect from both treatments.
No prep veneers are a welcome entrant into the cosmetic dentistry niche. Their results are subtle and noninvasive, and they don’t require extensive drilling or injections. If you’re looking for a natural, reversible result, they’re one of the most risk-free ways to brighten your smile. Contact Oso Marguerite in Mission Viejo for more information @ (949) 682-3535.