Traditional porcelain veneers have long been considered the gold standard for smile transformations. But, like any dental treatment, they have their downsides. The biggest one? They require the dentist to shave off about 0.5 millimeters of enamel, leaving the natural tooth weaker and locking you into veneers for life.
No-prep veneers offer an alternative. In most cases, they require no enamel removal, and when they do, it’s an inconsequential amount. They’re typically made of porcelain, too. But are they the right smile solution for you? We’ve got the details you need to make your decision.
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What Are No-Prep Veneers?
Since they don’t require the same prep as traditional veneers, you might wonder if these are actual veneers. Rest assured, they are. No-prep veneers are wafer-thin shells customized for individual teeth. They can be made from composite, ceramic, or porcelain — though porcelain no-prep veneers are considered best — and cover up imperfections and irregularities on the front surfaces of the teeth. While you can get them on other teeth, they are almost exclusively applied to the six upper front teeth (aka the social six).
What makes no-prep veneers different from traditional ones is right in their name: they don’t require enamel prep. The only exception is if the tooth requires shaping, but that shouldn’t affect the integrity of the tooth. This leaves the tooth healthier and makes the process faster and more comfortable for the patient. No-prep veneers are low-profile — usually about half as thick as other veneer types — which is why they don’t require any enamel removal. However, they look no different than any other veneer.
Pros and Cons of No-Prep Veneers
There is a lot to love about no-prep veneers — and a few things that aren’t so great. While this is true of any cosmetic dental treatment, you should know exactly what you’re signing up for. Here are their biggest pros and cons.
Pros of No-Prep Veneers
- They require less prep work, so your teeth will retain their structural integrity.
- No-prep veneers are also less painful to place. They don’t need any drilling, and they impact the gums less, so you shouldn’t need any anesthetic to get them.
- If you decide you don’t want veneers anymore, your dentist can remove no-prep ones without replacing them with anything else.
- Depending on the brand, no-prep veneers can last up to 20 years. That beats composite veneers and is in line with traditional porcelain ones.
Cons of No-Prep Veneers
- Even the thinnest veneers thicken your teeth. Since you don’t need to get any enamel removed, no-prep veneers make your teeth feel — and sometimes look — larger.
- If you want to hide a tooth that juts outward, this additional thickness can make it more prominent rather than hide it.
- Since they are thinner, they allow more of the underlying tooth color to show through. They can hide yellow stains, but not brown and purple ones.
Types of No-Prep Veneers
You have options for your no-prep veneers, from the industry-leading Lumineers to direct composite veneers your dentist makes right on your teeth. Just keep in mind that your specific dentist might not offer every type of no-prep veneer. Below are the most common options.
Direct Composite Veneers
Not all direct composite veneers are no-prep. Most will require enamel removal. That said, if you find a dentist that makes them, they’ll be your fastest and most affordable option. Direct composite no-prep veneers have drawbacks — namely, they only last about 5–7 years. It’s up to you if the savings and quick transformation make it worth replacing them more often.
Lumineers
Lumineers are the most well-known brand of no-prep veneer. Made by DenMat, they use their proprietary Cerinate porcelain, which retains its strength despite being ultra-thin — typically just 0.2 millimeters thick. They also look very natural, which is why so many dentists choose them over other options.
DURAthin Veneers
Like Lumineers, these are thin porcelain no-prep veneers. Developed by Dr. Dennis Wells and Mark Willes, they offer a healthier option than traditional veneers. DURAthin creates their porcelain in ultra-thin layers meant to better mimic the look of natural teeth.
Vivaneers
Created by Glidewell Labs, these porcelain veneers are thinner than traditional porcelain but slightly thicker than Lumineers — about 0.33 millimeters thick. Unlike the other options, they allow your dentist to alter the shading chairside, ensuring you get highly customized results that really complement your other teeth.
What Can No-Prep Veneers Hide?
No-prep veneers may take a slightly different path, but they achieve the same results as other veneer types. This means they can hide cosmetic concerns on the front surfaces of the teeth, including:
- Worn surfaces
- Small teeth
- Small chips and cracks
- Discoloration (depending on the severity and color)
- Gaps
- Minor misalignments
- Minor crowding
Overall, no-prep veneers have the same limitations as other types. The exception is their ability to cover tooth stains. Since they are thinner than other veneer types, dark stains — especially brown or purple ones — can still show through. For the darkest stains, traditional porcelain veneers offer the best coverage.
The No-Prep Veneer Process
Getting no-prep veneers is like getting any other type of veneer and not that different from other cosmetic and restorative dental procedures. First, you’ll find a provider. Many people go with their general dentist. This isn’t a bad decision, but if your dentist doesn’t have extensive training in cosmetic dentistry, you should also have a consultation with a dentist who does. Once you’ve made your decision, schedule your initial appointment.
Your dentist will kick this appointment off with a thorough examination of your teeth and gums. This ensures that your teeth are healthy enough for veneers and that there are no cavities lurking out of sight. Next, you’ll discuss how you want veneers to change the appearance of your teeth. The appointment wraps up with digital or physical dental impressions that the dentist will send off to the lab.
Once the dentist receives your veneers, they’ll call you to schedule your placement appointment. They’ll check the fit and have you check the look. If all is well, they’ll permanently bond the veneers to your teeth. The dentist might need to score the enamel just enough to give the veneer more grip. They’ll go over care instructions and then send you on your way. Depending on the dentist, they might want to schedule a follow-up in 1–2 weeks just to make sure the veneers are staying in place.
Cost of No-Prep Veneers
There is no set cost for no-prep veneers. Each company has their own costs, and your dentist will tack on their fees as well, which vary by practice. To get an exact quote, you’ll need to schedule a consultation with a no-prep veneer provider.
However, it doesn’t hurt to start by looking at averages. In most cases, no-prep direct composite veneers are the most affordable, since the material costs less and there are no laboratory fees. These veneers typically cost $250–$1,500 per tooth. Lumineers, DURAthin Veneers, and Vivaneers all have roughly the same price point, ranging from $800 to $2,000 per tooth.
If the cost of your smile makeover is more than you can afford outright, speak with your dentist. Insurance rarely covers veneers, and no-prep veneers are even less likely than traditional porcelain to receive coverage, since they are thinner. However, your dentist might offer financing and payment plans. You should also contact your HSA or FSA administrator to see if you can use those funds for cosmetic dental treatments.
No-Prep Veneers vs. Traditional Veneers
There are multiple types of traditional veneers, including direct composite, indirect composite, ceramic, and porcelain. No-prep veneers also have some variety. To see how no-prep veneers stack up against these traditional options, you need to evaluate each type individually. For example, Lumineers and other porcelain no-prep veneers are stronger than composite veneers but weaker than traditional porcelain.
Generally, though, you can still see how no-prep veneers compare to traditional ones. Below are the most significant differences between them.
- Invasiveness: Traditional veneers require enamel removal — up to 0.5 millimeters for porcelain veneers. This helps reduce the tooth’s thickness once the veneer is in place. No-prep veneers rarely require enamel removal, and when they do (for example, when a misalignment causes teeth to stick out), the dentist only removes 0.25 millimeters or less.
- Pain: Enamel removal isn’t torture, but it isn’t painless either. Most people will need local anesthetic to get through the procedure. No-prep veneers don’t need injections since there really isn’t any pain involved.
- Thickness: The whole reason no-prep veneers don’t need prep is their thickness. Traditional veneers are around 0.5 millimeters thick, while no-prep veneers are only 0.2–0.33 millimeters thick.
- Time Investment: Traditional veneers and no-prep veneers both typically require 2–3 appointments. However, no-prep veneers take less time, since your enamel remains untouched. Plus, if you decide you want to stop using veneers, you can, avoiding more appointments in the future.
- Cost: Traditional veneers cost $250–$1,500 per tooth for composite and $925–$2,500 per tooth for porcelain. No-prep composite veneers have the same range as other composite veneers. However, no-prep porcelain costs $800–$2,000 per tooth, several hundred cheaper than traditional porcelain veneers. It’s a small difference, but it adds up quickly when you are covering multiple teeth.
- Coverage: Both types of veneers can hide mild-to-moderate yellow stains, but traditional porcelain is the only option for severe yellow stains or those that are brown or purple in color.
Are No-Prep Veneers Reversible?
Traditional veneers are not reversible. Since the dentist needs to remove some enamel to place them, you either need to continue with veneers for life or switch to something else that offers strength and protection — typically a crown.
No-prep veneers might require mild tooth reshaping along the bottom or edges of the tooth, but this won’t remove enough enamel to require veneers for life. The enamel on the front surface might need light scoring, but that’s all. As a result, no-prep veneers can be removed without needing to replace them.
But that doesn’t mean they won’t damage the teeth. Anytime something is bonded to the tooth surface, its removal can cause damage. This can occur when filing down the veneer, popping it off, or removing the dental cement.
Alternatives to No-Prep Veneers
If you want a smile makeover, veneers of any type are a great option, but they aren’t the only one. Several alternative treatments can achieve similar results, depending on the exact issues you’re looking to correct. Below are the top five alternative treatment recommendations.
Snap-On Veneers
While veneers are in the name, these aren’t veneers in function. Rather, they are a wearable appliance that covers most or all of your teeth, creating the facade of a perfect smile. This gives them several benefits over veneers, including the ability to address issues with multiple teeth for one cost and hide gaps from missing teeth.
Learn more in our comparison review of the best snap-on veneer brands.
Clear Aligners
If you want to hide gaps, crowding, or other alignment issues, it’s often better to physically correct them. Clear aligners let you do so discreetly. You can go with an in-office treatment like Invisalign or 3M Clarity, an at-home one like Byte or SmileDirectClub, or even a hybrid option like Candid.
Visit our comparison of the best clear aligner options to learn more.
Teeth Whitening
Between whitening strips, pens, trays, and LED kits, there are hundreds of over-the-counter whitening options available. And if your discoloration is severe enough, you can also consider a professional whitening system like KöR, which can lift out even deep, dark stains.
Read our guide to the best dental whitening methods to compare your options.
Crowns
Veneers can cover up damaged teeth, but only when that damage is minor. If you don’t have enough of your natural tooth left for veneers, consider a crown instead. These are prosthetic caps that fully cover the remaining tooth — not just the front — restoring their appearance, strength, and function.
Bonding
Dental bonding uses the same material as direct composite veneers to hide chips, cracks, discoloration, gaps, and misshapen teeth. The dentist places resin on your teeth and customizes it to achieve the look you want. Then, they cure and harden it with a light. Since it’s more affordable than veneers, it’s easier to address issues in multiple teeth at one time.
Final Thoughts
No-prep veneers can help you achieve your smile goals, hiding everything from discoloration to misshapen teeth. They rarely require enamel removal, making the process faster and more comfortable while preserving your natural teeth.
In some cases, traditional veneers perform better due to their strength and opacity. You also might find that alternative treatments better suit your needs and budget. However, if you choose no-prep veneers, you are unlikely to be disappointed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of traditional veneers are there?
There are four types of traditional veneers: direct composite, indirect composite, ceramic, and porcelain. Both types of composite veneers are made from dental resin; the difference between them is that a dentist forms direct composite veneers on the tooth and indirect composite veneers are made in a lab. Ceramic and porcelain veneers are very similar; in fact, porcelain is a type of ceramic. The only real differences between them are thickness and strength — ceramic is slightly thinner and weaker than porcelain.
Are there different types of no-prep veneers?
Yes, there are several brands of no-prep veneers, including Lumineers and Vivaneers. There are also direct composite veneers that do not require tooth prep. When you speak with your dentist, get their perspective on the different types to determine which is right for you.
What materials are no-prep veneers made from?
They’re either porcelain or composite resin. Porcelain is most common since they’re stronger, which is crucial for ultra-thin veneers. If you choose composite, don’t expect them to last longer than 5–7 years.
How honest is the term “no-prep?”
Pretty honest. Most people do not need their enamel removed, and many don’t even need scoring to give the veneer something to grip. The most common prep is reshaping the edges of the tooth, but this is only necessary when the shape concerns you. It also should not remove enough of the enamel to cause any problems.
Are there any long-term health consequences of veneers?
The only long-term consequence is enamel removal. This is permanent as enamel does not grow back, and it leaves the natural tooth weaker and more vulnerable without veneers. However, veneers shouldn’t affect your general health, and as long as you keep up with your veneer replacements, they shouldn’t harm your oral health either.
Should I get my veneers from a general or cosmetic dentist?
You’ll probably see great results from both. Still, cosmetic dentists specialize in beautifying smiles and balancing them with your other facial features. If you can, it’s often better to go with a cosmetic dentist.
Do my veneers have to be bright white?
Not at all. Your dentist and their lab can fully customize your veneers, including their color. Many people want to go whiter than their natural teeth, but still want the color to blend in with their other teeth. Your dentist will work with you to find the perfect shade and can even fade the color toward the edges for a better transition between teeth.
Will I need to alter my diet after getting veneers?
You shouldn’t bite into hard foods with your veneers, but that’s the only restriction. Otherwise, you can treat them just like your natural teeth.
What do I need to consider when comparing the costs of traditional and no-prep veneers?
The big focus is the initial price tag, but you also need to consider the costs of replacement and upkeep. You’ll need to replace composite veneers around every 5–7 years, while porcelain ones can last up to 20.
How do I decide between no-prep and traditional veneers?
It really comes down to how you feel about having enamel removed and being locked into using veneers for life. If you are confident that you will want to keep using veneers and have the financial means to replace them multiple times over the decades, traditional veneers are a great cosmetic treatment. However, if you aren’t sure you want veneers for life, or if you just don’t like the idea of messing with your enamel, stick with no-prep veneers.
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