Veneers are thin custom-made shells designed to cover the front side of teeth. Made of tooth-colored porcelain materials, veneers are used to treat spaces between teeth and teeth that are chipped or worn, permanently stained, poorly shaped, slightly crooked or just to create a more esthetic smile. There are three types of preparation for Veneers:

1. No Prep Veneers - Veneers that are made with little or no removal of tooth structure and are often prepared without shots. Veneers of this type are usually reversible (can be removed with little damage to the original tooth structure) and provide the least chance of sensitivity.

No Tooth Structure Removed

2. Minimal Prep Veneers - Veneers that are prepared with some contouring of the tooth structure, and may or may not require shots

Before Preparation___After Preparation___Finished Veneers

3. Full Preparation Veneers - Veneers in which tooth structure is remove to provide the optimal shape and size, and requires that the patient is anesthetized

Full Preparation

Often Veneers are prepared using a combination of the above preparation types. Preparation varies from Minimum to Full Preparation depending the existing tooth anatomy, alignment, and the intended result. Cuttting more tooth structure often allows the laboratory to produce Veneers that are ideal and results in a more perfect smile.