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Question:“Dr. Arnold, what is a minimal or “no-prep” porcelain veneer?”
Answer: A “no-prep” veneer is a very thin porcelain veneer that is bonded to a tooth without having to do any tooth reshaping or reduction. A minimal preparation veneer would be a case where slight tooth reshaping is required to create space for the porcelain.
Minimal or “no-prep” porcelain veneers are a wonderful treatment option for many people who are interested in having larger, brighter, more youthful teeth. This is an especially good treatment option for anyone who is concerned about removing healthy tooth structure in order to attain a new smile.
Dentists should be interested in providing dental care that conservative in nature, but will still achieve the desired results. Preserving as much natural tooth structure as possible is important because once removed, that tooth structure doesn’t grow back.
In my experience, only a small percentage of “smile makeovers” are conducive to “no-prep” or “minimal- prep” veneers. I have observed that most cases require some degree of tooth reshaping in order to achieve optimal esthetics, functionality, and longevity.
That having been said, there are several situations where this conservative treatment modality is very effective. Sometimes teeth are very straight, but are dark, chipped, or just unattractive. These cases are often ideal for conservative porcelain veneers.
In cases where the dental arch is narrow, the smile can be sometimes be enhanced by adding porcelain to the teeth that appear to “broaden” the smile. Often, these conditions can be improved upon without even drilling on the natural teeth.
There are a variety of porcelain systems that can be utilized for conservative or “no-prep” porcelain veneers. The most common are Lumineers and DURAthin Veneers. In my opinion, DURAthin Veneers yield the most esthetic results. This system was developed over a period of years by a dentist and his master ceramist, and creates absolutely gorgeous smiles.
The key is to artistically design the shape of each veneer and to create it incrementally in such a way that it looks very natural. DURAthin veneers can be made to be very thin which prevents the teeth from appearing too thick or bulky. It’s important to many patients that the final result not appear fake or contrived, and DURAthin accomplishes this goal exceptionally well.
You may find a list of DURAthin-certified dentists at: www.durathinveneers.com if this is a treatment option that you are interested in pursuing. It is important, however, to remember that not everyone is a good candidate for these very conservative techniques, and no porcelain system or treatment modality is a “one size fits all” solution.
Dr. Jim Arnold is a practicing dentist in Chesterton and Valparaiso. He is also a clinical mentor with the Hornbrook Group and serves on the Advisory Board for the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics as the Fellowship Chairman. You may send questions to his office at: 1830 South 11th Street, Chesterton, IN 46304 or email them to: drarnold@SmilesByArnold.com. More information on this or many other dental topics can be found at www.SmilesByArnold.com.
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