Are You a Candidate for Traditional Veneers?

You are likely a good candidate for traditional porcelain veneers if your front teeth are healthy underneath but chipped, worn, stained in a way whitening can’t fix, patched with older fillings or bonding, or in need of more change in shape than an ultra-thin veneer can give. Traditional veneers involve reshaping a little enamel on the front of each tooth so the porcelain can sit in line with the rest of your smile. They may not be the right choice if a tooth is extensively damaged, if your gums or teeth need treatment first, or if your teeth need to move rather than be covered.

This article walks through the signs that point toward traditional veneers, the situations where another treatment fits better, and how Dr. Steven W. Haywood, DDS decides at the Timonium office. If you are hoping to avoid enamel reshaping altogether, read are prepless veneers right for you? first, then come back here.

What makes a veneer “traditional”

A porcelain veneer is a thin, translucent shell bonded to the front of a tooth. It acts like a new layer of enamel on the face and edge of the tooth, improving both how it looks and how strong it is. Every veneer adds some thickness, so the question is where that thickness goes.

With a traditional veneer, a small amount of enamel is reshaped first. That makes room for the porcelain, so the finished tooth doesn’t look bulky or stick out, and it lets the edges of the veneer blend smoothly into the natural tooth. Preparation is limited to the front and edge of the tooth. That is very different from a crown, which covers the whole tooth and requires reshaping it all the way around.

At the practice, traditional porcelain veneers are still the majority of veneer cases. That is not because thinner options are ignored. It is because many people who want a new smile have teeth with damage or older dental work that needs more than a thin layer can provide.

Signs traditional porcelain veneers may suit you

Older fillings or bonding on your front teeth

Tooth-colored fillings and bonding on front teeth can darken, chip or stop matching the teeth around them over the years. When a tooth has several patches, a thin veneer placed over the top may not hide the differences underneath. Traditional veneers give the ceramist enough room to cover older work and strengthen the tooth at the same time.

Chips, cracks and worn edges

Teeth that are chipped or worn at the edges often look shorter and uneven. A veneer partially wraps the tooth like a suit of armor, protecting and strengthening it while restoring a natural shape. If the chip is small and the rest of the tooth is healthy, bonding or a prepless veneer may be enough. If the damage is larger, a traditional veneer is often the more reliable result.

Dark stains that whitening can’t reach

Some discoloration sits deep inside the tooth rather than on the surface, and professional whitening can only do so much. Thin veneers cannot solve every problem: over a tooth that is very dark, a veneer may need to be more opaque or thicker in places so the dark color doesn’t show through. That extra thickness usually means some preparation. If you have not tried whitening yet, professional teeth whitening is worth discussing first.

Teeth that need a real change in shape

If you want teeth that look noticeably more even, longer, or a different shape, the veneer has to be designed around that new outline. Where a tooth already sits forward, adding porcelain without reshaping it can make it look fuller rather than straighter. Light reshaping lets the planned shape happen without adding bulk.

You were told prepless veneers won’t work

Prepless veneers are a demanding option that only suits teeth that are already a good starting point. If an evaluation shows your teeth are too damaged, too dark or too far out of line for a no-prep approach, traditional veneers are usually the next conversation. To understand the difference in detail, see minimal prep vs prepless porcelain veneers.

When another treatment fits better

Being a candidate for veneers is not only about wanting a better smile. Sometimes a different treatment does the job with less, or does a job veneers can’t.

A tooth with extensive damage

Veneers cover the front of a tooth. When a tooth is badly broken, heavily filled or has had a root canal, it may need the full coverage of a crown instead. A crown can often save a tooth that would otherwise need to come out. For a front tooth, read crown or veneer for a front tooth or see dental crowns.

Teeth that need to move

Veneers can make slightly crooked teeth look straighter, but they don’t move teeth. When teeth sit too far forward or back, Invisalign can shift them into a better position first, which can mean less preparation later. Invisalign is often combined with veneer makeovers at the practice.

A small, single fix

For one small chip or a narrow gap, dental bonding may be the simpler choice. Tooth-colored composite resin is sculpted directly onto the tooth, usually in a single visit and typically without anesthesia. Porcelain resists stains better and lasts longer, but bonding is often the most conservative option.

Healthy teeth that only need a little

If your teeth are healthy, small or slightly short and your goal is modest, prepless or minimal-prep veneers may keep more of your natural enamel. Dr. Haywood always chooses the thinnest veneer and the most conservative approach that will give a natural result.

What needs to be in place first

Veneers are bonded to your natural teeth, so the foundation matters:

• Healthy gums. Gum inflammation can affect how the gum line looks around a veneer and how well the area stays clean. Gum problems are best treated before cosmetic work begins.
• Treated decay. Cavities and failing fillings are best dealt with before a veneer covers a tooth.
• A bite that works. Your bite is part of the plan. Grinding or clenching doesn’t always rule veneers out, but it changes how they are protected. Bite protection is recommended for any cosmetic treatment.
• Realistic expectations. The goal is a natural, never-fake look. A good evaluation will tell you what veneers can and can’t change.

Traditional vs prepless porcelain veneers at a glance

• Enamel: traditional veneers reshape a small amount; prepless veneers use little or no drilling and preserve most if not all enamel.
• Best for: traditional veneers suit damaged teeth, older dental work and darker teeth; prepless veneers suit teeth that are already a good starting point.
• Material: both are custom porcelain. Brand names like DURAthin and Lumineers are mostly marketing for the thinnest veneers.
• Neither is automatically better. A traditional veneer on a tooth that didn’t need preparation removes enamel for no reason. A prepless veneer on a tooth that needed it can look bulky.

For a side-by-side look at all the materials, read three types of veneer materials compared.

How candidacy is decided at the Timonium office

1. A conversation and an exam. Your visit starts with what you would like to change and a careful look at your teeth, gums and bite.
2. A preview on screen. A smile evaluation on the cosmetic imaging computer shows possible changes before any treatment begins.
3. A plan for each tooth. The amount of preparation is chosen tooth by tooth, and sometimes a plan combines veneers with whitening, bonding, a crown or Invisalign.
4. A test drive. You receive a trial set of veneers to evaluate the shape, color and look before the final set is made.
5. Hand-crafted porcelain. Final veneers are hand-crafted in the USA by master ceramists and bonded to your teeth.

Living with traditional veneers

With appropriate home care and professional care at the office, porcelain veneers can last for decades. Porcelain resists stains better than natural teeth or composite. Keep brushing, flossing and coming in for cleanings, wear bite protection if it is recommended, and never use your teeth to open packages or cut things. If a veneer is damaged accidentally, it can typically be corrected easily, and veneers are warrantied for one full year. For a full routine, see how to care for porcelain veneers.

Cost, insurance and financing

Every case is different, so your fee is set after an assessment. Porcelain generally costs more than resin bonding, but it looks more natural, doesn’t break as easily and won’t stain or wear. Payment options, financing and pre-payment discounts are available, and staging treatment can help if you use a flex spending account.

The practice is out of network with all dental insurance providers. You pay at the time of your visit, and the office files the claim so your plan can reimburse you for whatever it covers. HSA and flex plans are welcome for eligible care. Financing is available through CareCredit, with no-interest options up to 12 months, and Cherry, with plans from 3 to 24 months. See financing options.

Frequently asked questions

Do traditional veneers ruin your natural teeth?

No. Preparation is limited to a small amount of enamel on the front and edge of the tooth, and the veneer then protects and strengthens that surface. It is far less reshaping than a crown requires.

Can I get veneers if I grind my teeth?

Often, yes, but your bite is evaluated first and protecting the veneers becomes part of the plan. Bite protection is recommended for any cosmetic treatment.

Can a veneer cover a tooth with an old filling?

Frequently. Traditional veneers are often chosen precisely because a tooth has older dental work. If the filling is very large, a crown may be the stronger choice.

How long do traditional porcelain veneers last?

With good home care and regular professional care, porcelain veneers can last for decades. How you care for them is the best predictor.

Find out if traditional veneers are right for you

The fastest way to know is a smile evaluation, where you can see a preview of your new smile and get a clear answer about which type of veneer your teeth need. Request an appointment or call (410) 453-9399. Dr. Haywood’s office is at 108 W Timonium Rd, Ste 200, Timonium, MD 21093. You can also read more about dental veneers in Timonium.