An article about non-prep veneers, was written by our main dental aesthetics specialist, Dr. György Turcsányi, who specialized in the different techniques for veneers. Some patients are looking for an alternative to traditional dental veneers or bonding, as the traditional veneer procedure requires more preparation of the teeth. But everyone has to keep in mind that this treatment option is not appropriate for everyone. This is where the truth comes in.
The main points of our article are the following:
- What are veneers and what are the main types of it?
- What are non-prep veneers?
- How much do 4, 6, 10, 12 and 20 non-prep Veneers on the teeth cost?
What are veneers and what are the main types of it?
Veneers are layers of a material (shell) placed over the tooth that performs aesthetic and protective functions. It can be used to repair minor tooth defects such as minor fractures, cracks, discolouration, unevenness, irregularities, or gaps.
Previously, the only way to correct these types of irregularities was orthodontics or to enclose the tooth with a crown completely. Veneers have made a revolutionary change in aesthetic dentistry: due to them, you no longer have to make a compromise on creating the perfect tooth. Different materials are used to make the shells: porcelain, composites, and ceramics. Material and implementation significantly affect the quality and the price. However, some veneers differ not only in their material but also in the technique of how they are designed and placed on the teeth. Veneers can be made directly with the help of a dentist, built into the mouth, or indirectly: produced in a dental laboratory and then attached to the tooth using dental cement made of synthetic resin. There are 4 types of veneers: traditional porcelain veneers, Non-Prep-Veneers (Lumineers), E-max veneers and composite veneers.
What are non-prep veneers?
No-prep veneers are ultra-thin veneers that can be placed on teeth without major preparation or removal of tooth enamel. This makes them a more conservative and minimally invasive solution compared to traditional veneers, which usually require some reshaping or reduction of the tooth’s surface for a proper fit and natural appearance. When we talk about non-prep veneers, we are practically talking about the American Lumineers brand, which is produced in 2 places in the world, in an American and a European laboratory.
Advantages of non-prep veneers
Minimal Tooth Preparation: just as with porcelain veneers, the non-prep veneers – as the terms suggest, they typically do not require the dentist to remove as much tooth material – are bonded to the front surface of the tooth. Quick Application: Often, the placement of non-prep veneers can be done faster and with less discomfort than that of traditional veneers. This means a brilliant, new smile without the extensive preparation of existing tooth structure. Reversible (in some cases): With non-prep veneers, the process is reversible and practically risk-free. The procedure is reversible, as little or no tooth structure is removed. A painless solution which can reshape to a certain extent, brighten and whiten a smile. Ultra-thin material: Unprepared veneers are made of very thin porcelain or ceramic, typically 0.2-0.3 millimetres thick. Despite being thin, they are designed to be strong and durable.
What are the disadvantages of no-prep veneers?
Thickness: Because no tooth structure is removed, Lumineers can sometimes appear slightly bulkier than traditional veneers, especially on teeth that are already slightly protruding. Not Suitable for All Cases: They may not be ideal for severely crooked teeth or patients with significant enamel issues. Because they are very thin, they are therefore more fragile than Emax Veneers or porcelain veneers. Also, improperly prepared or applied veneers can lead to tooth decay, and the tooth can become sensitive due to the previously removed enamel.
Do no-prep veneers stain?
No-prep veneers are generally highly resistant to staining. This is because they are made from non-porous ceramic materials that don’t absorb pigments as natural tooth enamel does. However, while the veneers themselves are stain-resistant, the edges where they meet natural teeth can sometimes accumulate stains over time, especially if the patient consumes a lot of staining substances like coffee, red wine, or tobacco. Good oral hygiene practices, such as regular brushing, flossing, and professional cleanings, will help maintain the veneers’ appearance and minimize any potential discolouration around the edges.
Who are Non-prep veneers suitable for?
There are a significant number of patients who have relatively small teeth for a variety of reasons: e.g. external causes such as acid erosion; genetic factors resulting in naturally small teeth and spacing between the teeth; and discrepancies between jaw and teeth size — just to name a few. These instances all provide potential candidates for “without preparation” restorations.
Short, worn-out teeth – creating a smile with more visible tooth length can sometimes “turn back the clock” for someone who has worn their teeth down by grinding.
Narrow smiles – Many times, the teeth on both sides of the smile are positioned inward and do not show from a frontal view.
Teeth that need to be more visually present – e.g. when big lips overpower them, or when teeth are too small in relation to the whole smile.
Teeth that are genetically misshapen – “Peg laterals” is a fairly common condition in which one or both of the teeth directly next to the two upper front ones are very small and peg-shaped.
Who are Non-prep veneers NOT suitable for?
- Improper tooth position
- Large discrepancies in root position
- Malocclusion
- If some form of orthodontic treatment is necessary to mechanically move the teeth
- If the patient declines orthodontic treatment, some amount of tooth preparation may be necessary to create the illusion of proper alignment
- Teeth that are already relatively large or positioned forward in the smile do not typically allow aesthetically and mechanically to add another layer of material
- If you have dark teeth, the no-prep veneers are too thin to block out the dark underlying colour of the tooth to look natural and if attempted, it will be opaque or chalk looking
- Non-prep veneers are not suitable for teeth that are naturally thick, angled outward and too big
- This technique of veneers results in thick and unnatural-looking teeth, as another layer of material is added
How much do 4, 6, 10, 12 and 20 non-prep Veneers on the teeth cost?
Due to excellent dental laboratories and market competition, the benefits offered by E-max veneers are now available to everyone. The price of Lumineers, the professional work involved in making them and the benefits are perfectly in line now. If you want the finest solution for your dental problems, consult your dentist and select the custom treatment plan that suits you best.
| What is the cost of Lumineers? | UK | In abroad – Hungary | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All prices are indicated in British Pounds | Average prices | BestDentalSolutions | You save | |||
| Lumineers 4 pieces | UK –4524 £ | Hungary –2260 £ | You save –2264 £ | |||
| Lumineers 6 pieces | UK –6786 £ | Hungary –3390 £ | You save –3396 £ | |||
| Lumineers 10 pieces | UK –11 310 £ | Hungary –5650 £ | You save –5660 £ | |||
| Lumineers 12 pieces | UK –13 572 £ | Hungary –6780 £ | You save –6792 £ | |||
| Lumineers 20 pieces | UK –22 620 £ | Hungary –11 130 £ | You save –11 320 £ | |||
| I want to get a quote | ||||||
Are 4, 6, 10 non-prep Veneers enough?
Fixing 4 non-prep Veneers is not aesthetic. Rarely 6, usually 8 non-prep Veneers are enough for an average mouth per row of teeth, 10 for a wider mouth.
How many non-prep Veneers do you need for a full smile?
The perfect smile can be achieved with 20 non-prep Veneers (10 at the bottom and 10 at the top), as they completely cover the smile line.
Treatment with veneers does not contribute to aesthetics, as the contour recedes or is disproportionate. In such cases, gingivoplasty is always necessary first. This is how we achieve an aesthetically pleasing result.
One of the works of our Team, you can see here more: lumineers before and after pictures
Learn more about our recommended dentist abroad and if you would like to know if you are eligible for non prep veneers, contact us with pictures of your smile! For this we kindly ask you to send us the following pictures: with your mouth open a picture of the upper and lower jaw, as well as with your mouth closed a picture of your teeth from the front, left, and right.
