You’ve probably heard of dental veneers, or maybe even considered getting them. Dentists sometimes suggest them as one option for disguising chipped, discolored, cracked, or broken teeth.

A dentist applies these thin shells, often made of porcelain or a composite material, to the front of your teeth to improve their appearance.

Because veneers are considered a permanent option, a dentist typically has to spend some time preparing your tooth for a veneer. This process can involve grinding down the tooth or removing part of the tooth, including some of the enamel, to make it ready to hold the veneer. Then, the veneer is bonded to the front of the tooth.

No-prep veneers are applied through a quicker process to make your teeth look more even. It takes much less time and effort to install them, and they still provide long lasting results.

Here are some of the reasons that no-prep veneers may be a good choice for you:

Improved result

No-prep veneers can improve the appearance of discolored teeth, fill in gaps, or cover up cracks or chips.

Less prep work

With regular veneers, a dentist might need to grind 1/2 millimeter of enamel off your tooth to make an impression to use for creating the veneer. That’s not necessary with no-prep veneers. In fact, there’s not a lot of prep work needed.

In some cases, a dentist can make a digital impression of your teeth and then create the veneers and install them all on the same day.

Easy installation

Because the dentist doesn’t have to alter your teeth, the installation is a much simpler process than the process of installing traditional veneers. Additionally, this method preserves your tooth structure.

No anesthesia

Since the dentist isn’t removing any enamel from your teeth, you shouldn’t need any local anesthesia. That’s good news if you’re concerned about having a reaction or sensitivity to the anesthesia.

Long lasting

No-prep veneers can last 5 to 7 years or longer, especially if you take good care of them. Some manufacturers claim that their no-prep veneers can last many more years.

Research suggests that this type of veneer can be a good choice for people who don’t want to put too much wear and tear on healthy teeth.

When you need a dental crown, a dentist typically has to file down and remove part of the outer layer of your tooth to prepare for the application of the crown itself. That means that your tooth has been permanently changed or altered.

Even with traditional veneers, a dentist may have to do some reshaping and alter the enamel before the veneer can be bonded to your tooth.

These processes aren’t considered reversible.

By comparison, no-prep veneers don’t require that kind of alteration to your tooth structure. Additionally, they can be removed.

They’re applied to the enamel of your teeth, so they can cause some damage to the surface of your tooth. While they’re considered reversible or semi-permanent, that doesn’t mean that your teeth might not be affected in some way by the procedure of installing (or removing) them.

There are a few things you might want to consider before deciding to get no-prep veneers.

No-prep veneers might not be the best choice for you if your teeth are extensively damaged. You may need a more intensive treatment to give your teeth a uniform appearance.

The same goes if your teeth are deeply discolored or stained. No-prep veneers are often more translucent than traditional veneers. You may need something more substantial than this type of very thin shell to hide the discoloration.

You’ll need to focus on oral hygiene. You’ll need to be especially vigilant about cleaning your teeth around your gumline and removing any debris or bacteria that may slip in where the veneers meet your gumline.

When it comes to no-prep veneers, you have a few choices. Talk to a dentist about which ones they offer and which ones might be best suited for your teeth and mouth.

Lumineers

These no-prep veneers, which are manufactured by DenMat, may be the most well-known version on the market right now. Lumineers are extremely thin and can look very natural on your teeth.

DURAthin veneers

DURAthin veneers are a brand of very thin, translucent layers of porcelain bonded directly to the front of the teeth, without any grinding or shaving done in advance.

Vivaneers

Manufactured by Glidewell Labs, Vivaneers are another brand of very thin, very strong no-prep veneers. Like Lumineers, they are 0.33-mm-thick.

Here’s what you can expect from the installation procedure:

  1. A dentist will examine your teeth to make sure their structure is sound.
  2. They will make impressions of your teeth.
  3. They’ll then make the veneers from the impressions.
  4. The dentist will hold the veneers up to your teeth to make sure they’re a good fit.
  5. They may lightly score or etch the surface of your teeth to give the veneer something to hold on to.
  6. Lastly, they’ll then bond the veneers onto your teeth.

Before you get no-prep veneers, your teeth may appear smaller than normal, or you may have chips or cracks or discoloration. Afterward, you should have an even smile.

As with many other dental procedures, including cosmetic dental procedures, the cost can vary.

If you have dental insurance, you may want to check with your insurance company to see if any or all of the cost of veneers is covered. Many insurance plans don’t cover cosmetic dentistry procedures.

However, financing or payment plans might be available, so ask the dentist if cost is a barrier.

The convenience factor of no-prep veneers seems hard to beat. That isn’t the only issue that you should consider when thinking about whether they’re the best choice for you.

If cost is a concern, it may be worth comparing the price of traditional veneers to the cost of no-prep veneers.

According to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, one traditional porcelain veneer will cost between $925 and $2,500. The variation in cost depends on a number of factors, including a dentist’s experience level and where you live, as well as the material used for the veneer.

Meanwhile, according to The Dental Guide, the per-tooth cost of a no-prep veneer can range between $800 and $2,000, and the veneer itself should give you a very similar appearance to that of a traditional veneer.

If you’re looking to improve the appearance of your smile, talk to a dentist about the options that are available to you. You’ll want to consider a number of factors, including the health and state of your teeth and your budget, as well as the procedure.

No-prep veneers might be a very valid option for you, but you should discuss all the possibilities with your dentist before deciding.