Chairside Magazine Volume 2, Issue 1 - Glidewell Dental Labs

No-Prep vs. Minimal-Prep Veneers on the Same Patient
No-Prep vs. Minimal-Prep Veneers on the Same Patient
Figure 13 Figure 14
Figure 12
Figure 15
Figure 12: Greg’s Smile After Minimal-Prep Veneers
After the no-prep veneers were removed, a study model was made and sent to the technician. The technician identified the
FLFs he would like removed to enhance the esthetic results for this case. The minimal amount of preparation ensured that all
of the preparations remained entirely in enamel. The minimal-prep veneers were placed with the exact same steps as with the
no-prep veneers. Because the entire preparation is in enamel, we have no fear of post-operative sensitivity or potential loss of
tooth vitality.
Figure 13: Facial View of Post-Operative Minimal-Prep Veneer Smile
Compare this with figure 6 and see which set of veneers you prefer. It should be apparent that the shape and contours of the
veneers in figure 13 are more pleasing and anatomically correct than those in figure 6. The teeth do not appear as bulbous and
the “negative space” in the various embrasures add a depth and vitality to these restorations.
Figure 14: Left Lateral View of Post-Operative Minimal-Prep Veneer Smile
Compare this to figure 8 and see which set of veneers you prefer. Again, the first thing I notice is the lateral incisor, tooth #10.
In the no-prep case in figure 8, the tooth looks bulbous, especially in the cervical third. Note how with the minimal-prep veneers
in figure 13 the cervical third appears much more natural, and the “negative space” surrounding the gingival embrasure makes
it appear more like a tooth and less like a restoration.
Figure 15: Right Lateral View of Post-Operative Minimal-Prep Veneer Smile
Compare this to figure 7 to see which set of veneers you prefer. The first thing that jumps out at me is how natural tooth #7
looks in the minimal-prep case versus the no-prep case. Teeth #6 & #8 also appear more natural, especially the way the incisal
third of tooth #8 is positioned more lingually in the minimal-prep case than in the no-prep case. Í
Figure 16 Figure 17 Figure 18
Figures 16, 17, 18 Retracted Left, Facial and Right Views of Post-operative Minimal-Prep Veneers
These close-up views of the completed minimal-prep veneers highlight the esthetic features that are not possible with no-prep
veneers. Every dentist who has looked at this case prefers the look of the minimal-prep veneers. However, every patient I have
shown this to, including the one the treatment was performed on, had no preference between the two sets of restorations. They
did have a preference for the no-prep procedure over any preparation.
No-prep veneers can solve a lot of esthetic issues in one appointment, without a drill and without anesthetic. For a lot of patients
that is a major benefit, even if the veneers don’t look as nice as if we did a minimal-prep or full-prep procedure. For them, the
main criteria are no drilling, no shots and no removal of tooth structure. These patients are much less concerned about the fact
that their veneers will be slightly bulbous, as they inevitably will be with the no-prep method.
For patients who are insisting on perfection in the shape of their veneers, we need to go to a minimal-prep or full-prep procedure.
It’s important to explain to the patient the advantages and disadvantages of the different kinds of veneers available to
them and then help them to make their own decision.
To watch the video of this entire procedure, visit the Glidewell Online Case Study website at: http://www.glidewell-lab.com/
educational/videos/index.html and click on Online Viewing — Case Studies: Comparative Study of No-prep, Laser Removal, and
Minimal-prep Veneers on the same patient.
No-Prep vs. Minimal-Prep on the Same Patient
No-Prep vs. Minimal-Prep on the Same Patient