Porcelain vs. Prepless Veneers

Everyone deserves to feel happy and confident about the way that their smile looks. However, teeth are commonly cited as one of the areas of the body that we would most like to change about ourselves.
 

If you aren’t happy with the appearance of your teeth, there are plenty of cosmetic dentistry procedures which can address the issues which are concerning you. Veneers are one of the most popular types of cosmetic dentistry treatment, but did you know that there are several different types available?  To help you learn which is right for you, here’s what you need to know about the difference between conventional porcelain and prepless veneers.
 

What are porcelain veneers?

Conventional porcelain veneers are extremely sought after. This is largely due to their versatility as they can be used to cover a range of different imperfections, including cracks, chips and stains. They can also be used to make the teeth more uniform in appearance by adding height or thickness or closing small gaps between the teeth.  

In order to get conventional porcelain veneers, your teeth will be first need to undergo some preparation. This involves filing down a little of the natural enamel covering your teeth. This is done under local anesthetic so you won’t experience any discomfort. The reason for this filing is to allow the veneers to fit properly to the outer faces of the teeth without looking unusually thick or otherwise abnormal. After all, the goal of cosmetic dentistry is to improve the appearance of teeth, not to draw unwanted attention to them for the wrong reasons. Once the custom-created porcelain veneers have been placed, secured in place using special adhesive, your smile will be fully restored. However, it’s important to be aware that once you have had this enamel removed, you will always need to have veneers placed over these teeth.
 

What are prepless veneers?

In case you hadn’t guessed from the name, prepless veneers are a little different from the conventional porcelain variety because they don’t require any removal of the tooth. As a result, you won’t need any anaesthetic – something which is a big benefit for patients who have a phobia of needles. Instead, your new special veneers will literally be secured straight onto the fronts of your teeth.

Prepless veneers provide the same aesthetic and functional benefits of conventional porcelain veneers. However, because they don’t require any enamel removal, they can be removed in the future should you wish to. When they are revealed, your natural teeth will look just as they did before you had your prepless veneers applied.

If you are considering veneers and you aren’t sure whether you’d prefer conventional or prepless varieties, our dedicated dental team would be happy to talk you through both options. Call us today at (850) 810-0600 to schedule a consultation at one of our convenient locations.