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Advanced cosmetic and general dentistry

Can I Bypass Tooth Preparation for Porcelain Veneers?

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I have dental anxiety and am concerned about the pain of preparing my teeth. Do no-prep veneers work only for people with small teeth? If I can find a way to get veneers without the pain of tooth preparation, I would be relieved. – Thank you. Jada from Nashville

 

Jada,

We will begin by answering a question that many people have about porcelain veneers. This can give you a positive view of the process even if your teeth require preparation for healthy, natural-looking results.

Do Porcelain Veneers Hurt?

Photo of dental forceps holding a single porcelain veneers, from the office of accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Szarek of Lowell, MA.

Porcelain veneer

Quality, correctly placed porcelain veneers do not hurt. However, it takes the skill of an advanced cosmetic dentist to ensure you are comfortable before you begin treatment. A local anesthetic will give you a painless experience. Then, the dentist will prepare your teeth conservatively—removing only a fraction of a millimeter of tooth enamel—and avoid any layers beneath the enamel that may provoke sensitivity.

Are No-Prep Veneers Only for Small Teeth?

No-prep veneers are not only for small teeth. Still, not every porcelain veneer case is eligible for no preparation. A cosmetic dentist customizes your treatment plan based on your goals for your smile. Sometimes, achieving natural-looking results and veneers that fit well from the biting edge to the gumline requires preparation. Factors that determine whether your teeth require preparation for porcelain veneers include:

  • Your smile goals
  • Whether teeth overlap
  • Teeth position
  • Size
  • Shape
  • Teeth alignment

Although some brands of porcelain veneers are advertised as requiring no preparation, skilled cosmetic dentists work to provide highly aesthetic results. For example, if a tooth is crooked, a portion of it may stick out. A cosmetic dentist will trim it to harmonize with the position of other teeth. At the end of treatment, people will notice your beautiful, natural-looking smile and not know you have porcelain veneers.

Do You Have Dental Anxiety?

Consult an advanced cosmetic dentist if you have dental anxiety and are interested in porcelain veneers. In addition to explaining your options for veneers, the dentist will listen to understand your anxiety triggers. The dental team will try to avoid your anxiety triggers and enjoy the experience of getting a smile makeover with porcelain veneers.

Lowell, Massachusetts, accredited cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek sponsors this post.

Ultra-Thin vs. Traditional Porcelain Veneers – What Matters?

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If you are interested in porcelain veneers, you may have discovered that traditional and ultra-thin veneers are available. How can you determine which type is appropriate for you? We will compare veneers and factors to help you decide which is best for your oral health and smile.

Ultra-Thin Porcelain Veneers

A porcelain veneer being bonded to a tooth

Consult with an advanced cosmetic dentist about porcelain veneers

Ultra-thin porcelain veneers are half the thickness of traditional veneers. Manufacturers market some brands as requiring no preparation, meaning a dentist can apply them to your teeth without removing any tooth enamel. Nevertheless, sometimes failure to remove s small amount of tooth enamel can make your teeth look bulky.

Features of ultra-thin porcelain veneers

  • Thickness – Ultra-thin porcelain veneers can measure 0.2 mm, while traditional veneers are 0.5 mm
  • Tooth preparation – A cosmetic dentist will remove a fraction of a millimeter of tooth enamel.
  • Limitations – Ultra-thin veneers are ideal for patients requiring slight tooth color, shape, or alignment adjustments.
  • Aesthetics – They look natural and allow natural tooth color to show through. Many patients choose to replace old dental bonding with ultra-thin veneers.

Traditional Porcelain Veneers

Traditional porcelain veneers are thin but thicker than ultra-thin types and require more tooth preparation. Still, a skilled cosmetic dentist collaborates with a dental ceramist to skillfully craft customized, natural-looking veneers for each patient.

Features of traditional porcelain veneers

  • Thickness – Traditional porcelain veneers are about 0.5 mm
  • Tooth preparation – While remaining conservative with tooth preparation, a cosmetic dentist must remove more tooth enamel than ultra-thin veneers.
  • Limitations – They are well-suited for more complex tooth discoloration, misshape, and alignment cases.
  • Aesthetics – A skilled cosmetic dentist and expert ceramist create beautiful smiles with traditional veneers.

Should You Choose Ultra-Thin or Traditional Porcelain Veneers?

Porcelain veneers vary in thickness. Your cosmetic dentist may recommend ultra-thin veneers slightly thicker than 0.2 mm but not as thick as 0.5 mm.

Whether you choose ultra-thin or traditional veneers depends on several factors, including:

  • Your smile goals
  • The condition of your teeth
  • Your teeth alignment
  • Your cosmetic dentist’s recommendation

High-quality dental ceramics are dense and virtually stain resistant. Your cosmetic dentist will explain the results you can expect with each type of veneer that may suit your case.

Schedule a Porcelain Veneers Consultation

Look for accredited cosmetic dentists or advanced cosmetic dentists with extensive post-graduate training. Schedule consultations with at least two dentists to discuss your smile goals and treatment options.

 

Dr. Michael Szarek, an accredited cosmetic dentist in Lowell, Massachusetts, sponsors this post.

How do I find a cosmetic dentist for 3N no-prep veneers?

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I have been doing a lot of research on no prep veneers other than Lumineers. I wanted to have information on more than just one brand. I found out from an acquaintance on social media about 3N which I had never heard of. Now I know why because it doesn’t look like they are U.S. based. I found the 3N veneers website but I don’t see anything about how to find a 3N U.S. cosmetic dentist. I really like the way they look, much more so than Lumineers. How do I find a cosmetic dentist who uses 3N? Thanks. – Shona

Shona – Although 3N veneers are not familiar to us, through an Internet search, we found that 3N Veneers Limited is based in the United Kingdom. Other websites that reference the brand indicate that this brand of veneers is used in the Middle East.

Although we don’t have information on U.S. cosmetic dentists who use 3N, we can assure you that the results you get from porcelain veneers depend significantly on your choice of cosmetic dentist and his or her choice of laboratory to makes the veneers.

The laboratory that makes Lumineers is often criticized for the pasty, bulky look of the veneers. But the same results can occur with any other brand—unless you have a skilled, artistic cosmetic dentist who also uses an artistic master ceramist.

Dental patients get great results from porcelain veneers, not by choosing their own brand of porcelain veneers, but instead, by choosing an artistic dentist who knows what brands are best for your case. And who understands how to the manipulate color, translucency, and shape of the veneers to produce lifelike results.

Find a cosmetic dentist who is an artist. How? Start by locating an accredited cosmetic dentist. If there isn’t one in your area, find one who is a member of a cosmetic or aesthetic dentistry organization, and who is participates in on-going training. Check the dentist’s credentials. Schedule a consultation and ask to see before-and-after pictures of smile makeovers the dentist has completed. Let the dentist know your concerns about porcelain veneers and the smile you want to achieve. Watch and listen closely to how the dentist addresses your questions. Then you can decide if this is the dentist for you, or if you want to have a consultation with a second or third cosmetic dentist before making a decision on your provider.

It’s the artist in the dentist—not solely the brand he or she uses—that will produce beautiful results you want.

This post is sponsored by Lowell cosmetic dentist Dr. Michael Szarek.