Have you been dreaming of a beautiful, white smile but don’t want to deal with the hassle of undergoing lengthy dental treatments? Then no prep veneers may the perfect cosmetic dental solution for you! No prep veneers are almost like magic because they are so easy to apply and can completely transform your smile. With no prep veneers, you come into our office and *POOF* you leave with a gorgeous smile!
Traditional dental veneers, also known as porcelain veneers, composite veneers, or laminates, are thin shells that are adhered to the front surface of visible teeth. No prep veneers are similar to traditional dental veneers, but they are slightly thinner. Traditional veneers are about 0.3 to 0.5 mm thick, while no prep veneers are generally less than 0.03 mm thick.
This difference in their total thickness determines how they are placed in the mouth. For traditional dental veneers, a small amount of tooth enamel needs to be removed to create enough space to accommodate the thicker veneer. No prep veneers, on the other hand, are just as their name suggests–they don’t require any preparation for placement because they are super thin and don’t require enamel removal.
Because of their easy placement, no prep veneers also means no dental drills, no needles, and no temporary restorations. Instead, the veneer is directly adhered or cemented to the surface of the enamel painlessly, easily, and quickly. Just another way that no prep veneers are more like a magic trick and less like a trip to the dentist.
While anyone can potentially be a candidate for no prep veneers, they are ideal for:
- Discolored or permanently stained teeth that do not respond to traditional whitening treatments
- Cracked, chipped, or otherwise damaged teeth
- Unsightly gaps between the teeth
- Misaligned or crooked teeth
- Teeth that are too small or unevenly shaped
- Teeth that are worn down
No prep veneers are also a great cosmetic dental option for someone who does not wish to permanently alter the structure of their natural teeth or for individuals who have dental phobia and want to avoid injections or prolonged dental treatments. It is important to note, however, that while the application of no prep veneers does not alter the natural structure of teeth, their removal can. If this is a concern to you, then it will be something that you will want to discuss with our dentists.
There are different types of no prep veneers. Lumineers are one of the most well known no prep veneers, however there are also Vivaneers, Durathin Veneers, and others. The different brands of no prep veneers differ in their thickness and the type of dental material used.
Lumineers are made from cerinate feldspathic pressable porcelain and are extremely thin. Vivaneers offers veneers made from a variety of dental materials including: Obsidian® lithium silicate, IPS emax® lithium disilicate, and BruxZir® Esthetic Solid Zirconia. Durathin veneers are made from porcelain and are described to be “contact lens thin”.
If you are considering having no prep veneers placed, you will need to undergo a consultation prior to receiving treatment. The purpose of this consultation is to evaluate your teeth, gums, bite, and overall oral health to ensure that no prep veneers are the best choice for you. During this consultation, the different types of no prep veneers will also be discussed to determine which one will work best for your individual dental needs.
In some cases, no prep veneers may not always be the best course of treatment. Because Drs. Lerner and Lemongello are committed to providing quality dental care, if they feel that no prep veneers are not an ideal treatment for you, they will discuss this with you, as well as possible treatment alternatives.
Although each individual case can vary, some possible cases where no prep veneers may not be recommended include:
- If your teeth are not structurally sound
- If you have severely misaligned teeth
- If your teeth are dark in color
- If you have tooth decay or gum disease
To place no prep veneers, a dental impression or digital scan will need to be taken of your mouth. Because no prep veneers are customized to your smile, the impression or scan will provide important information for the dental lab about the size and shape the finished veneers will need to be. In most cases, the dental impression or digital scan will be obtained during your consultation.
It takes about 1-2 weeks to have your no prep veneers custom fabricated for your smile. Once they are completed, your placement appointment will be made. As mentioned before, the placement of no prep veneers is extremely simple. First the veneers will be checked for size. Then, Drs. Lerner and Lemongello will individually adhere each veneer to the front surface of your teeth. Once completed, you will leave our office with a completely new and improved smile.
After your no prep veneers are placed, you will have no downtime or dietary restrictions, and can immediately return to your usual activities. This is because once your veneers are placed, they are permanently adhered to your teeth and don’t require special treatment. Another way no prep veneers are magical.
However, just because no prep veneers are highly durable, doesn’t mean that they are completely indestructible. In fact, they are susceptible to damage in the same way that your natural teeth are. This means that to prevent them from becoming damaged, you will not want to participate in any activity that could damage your natural teeth. Examples of behaviors to avoid include: pen or nail biting, ice chewing, smoking, using your teeth to open packages, and teeth grinding or clenching.
In addition, you will also need to maintain your no prep veneers in the same way you maintain your natural teeth. Although they don’t require additional care, they do require that you have good oral habits. These include twice daily brushings with a fluoridated toothpaste and daily flossing. You will also need to visit Drs. Lerner and Lemongello in Palm Beach Gardens at least once every six months for your dental checkup and professional teeth cleaning.
Regular dental appointments and good daily oral hygiene will keep your teeth and your no prep veneers in the best shape for a long time. In most cases, no prep veneers can last about 5-7 years as compared to the 10-15 years of traditional veneers. The difference in lifespan is mostly due to the fact that no prep veneers are thinner and ultimately wear down faster than the thicker traditional veneers.
Are you interested in experiencing the magic or no prep veneers for yourself? Schedule a consultation at Lerner & Lemongello in Palm Beach Gardens today!