Five Questions to Ask Before You Say Yes to Veneers

Most people decide on veneers in a single conversation, and then live with the result for years. That makes the questions you ask in that conversation matter more than the brochure, the before-and-after photos or the price.

The American Dental Association is direct about why: veneer treatment is not reversible, because tooth enamel is removed to place a veneer (ADA MouthHealthy). You cannot go back to the tooth you started with, so you should be sure of the plan before the first step.

Here are five questions worth asking at any consultation, ours or anyone else's. Under each one is what a good answer sounds like.

1. Who designs my smile, and from what?

A veneer is a fraction of a millimetre of porcelain. What makes it look right or wrong is the design behind it: the length and width of each tooth, the line of the smile against your lower lip, the centre of the teeth against the centre of your face.

Ask who draws the design, and what it is drawn on. A good answer mentions photographs and measurements of your face, not a standard set of teeth chosen from a catalogue. At Mineers, a smile is designed on your own photographs and scans, and the proportions are set against your midline, your smile line and the way your teeth show when you talk. (Digital Smile Design shows the six steps.)

2. Will I see the result before anything is done to my teeth?

This is the question that separates a plan from a promise. A preview can be a drawing on a photograph, a 3D simulation on a screen, or a mock-up you can wear over your own teeth.

Ask which of these you will get, and whether you can ask for changes. At Mineers, the design is shown to you on screen, then printed as a mock-up we call Testineers, which you wear over your own teeth, without preparing them, and look at in the mirror. Nothing is prepared until you agree. (A Smile Preview Is a Plan, Not a Promise explains what to look for.)

3. How much of my own tooth will be kept, and is there an alternative?

Porcelain veneers need a small amount of enamel to be removed from the front and sides of the tooth, to make room for the veneer (ADA MouthHealthy). How much depends on the teeth and the plan, and it should be as little as the result allows.

Ask how much will be prepared, and why. And ask whether something gentler could reach the same goal. The ADA notes that composite veneers may require less enamel to be removed and fewer visits, but are not as stain- or wear-resistant, and that they are easier to fix if damaged. Aligners, bonding or whitening may be enough for some smiles (Veneers, Bonding or Clear Aligners). A dentist who only ever offers one option is worth a second opinion.

4. Will my teeth and gums be treated first?

The ADA says your dentist must first treat any dental issues, such as decay or gum disease, because placing veneers over unhealthy teeth may worsen existing problems (ADA MouthHealthy).

So the answer to "can we start next week?" should depend on an examination. At Mineers, a full check under the microscope comes before any cosmetic work, so that nothing cosmetic is built on a tooth that needs treating. Ask also about habits. The ADA notes that if you clench or grind your teeth, or have a deep overbite, veneers may not be a good choice. Tell your dentist if you do, and ask what they would do about it.

5. What happens if one chips, and what is the plan afterwards?

Any veneer can chip, crack, wear down or loosen over time, and may need to be re-bonded, repaired or replaced, according to the ADA. You can also still get cavities under or around a veneer, so daily cleaning stays important.

Porcelain veneers can last 10 to 20 years with good care (How Long Do Porcelain Veneers Last?), but that is a typical figure, not a guarantee.

So ask three practical things:

• What happens if a veneer chips or comes loose, and who do I call?
• Is a night guard or a sports mouthguard advised for me?
• How often should I be seen once the treatment is done?

Whatever the answers are, make sure you understand them before you agree.

A note on who places veneers

The ADA warns about "veneer technicians" offering services to the public without a dentist, and urges people to seek care from licensed dentists, because unsupervised treatment can cause damaging complications. A simple check: ask who will examine your teeth, who will prepare them, and whether that person is a licensed dentist.

Take the list with you

Save these five and ask them anywhere:

1. Who designs my smile, and from what?
2. Will I see the result before anything is done to my teeth?
3. How much of my own tooth will be kept, and is there an alternative?
4. Will my teeth and gums be treated first?
5. What happens if one chips, and what is the plan afterwards?

The answers will tell you how a clinic works. Comparing quotes as well? Why Two Veneer Quotes Can Look So Different explains what to line up side by side.

Would you like to put these questions to us? Book a private consultation or send a few photos of your smile on WhatsApp, +961 3 757 127.

This article is general information, not a diagnosis. Treatment plans and results vary from person to person.