Dental veneers may be able to give you the celebrity smile that you've always dreamed of. However, the preparation time associated with traditional porcelain dental veneers can be lengthier than some people would like. Still, there is an alternative for people who would like to have veneers without the additional prep time.

No-prep veneers have become available. Here's a bit of information about their application:

What are no-prep veneers? 

No-prep veneers are porcelain veneers that do not require the grinding of the tooth surface before the veneers are applied. Instead, the veneer's preparation and application are completed in a two-step process. The first step is the creation of a dental impression. A mold of the patient's mouth is taken so that the veneers can be designed in a dental laboratory. Once the veneers have been fabricated and sent back to the dental office, they are affixed to the teeth, and the procedure is complete.

With traditional veneers, a mold of the teeth is still needed, but after the dental veneers are available to place on the teeth, the procedure cannot be completed without preparing the teeth beforehand. Preparation of the teeth includes the grinding away of a portion of the front surface of the tooth enamel.

What are no-prep veneers made of?

No-prep veneers are usually made of porcelain, just as quality conventional veneers often are. In addition, they are as hard and durable as traditional porcelain are.

Can no-prep veneers be removed?

Veneers that do not require the grinding away of the teeth can be removed. The underlying teeth remain in the same condition that they were in before the placement of the veneers.

Since conventional porcelain veneers require the alteration of the teeth, the teeth do not resume their former look if the veneers are removed. As a result, if conventional veneers are moved, they must generally be replaced. There's no way for the teeth to go back to their former unaltered state.

Can no prep veneers be used to correct the same cosmetic dental issues as traditional veneers?

No-prep veneers can correct the same cosmetic concerns as traditional veneers. Thus, they can be used to improve the look of stained or discolored teeth, chips, cracks, misshapen teeth, misalignments and gaps.

To learn more about the different types of veneers that may be available for you, including veneers that do not require the preparation of underlying teeth, schedule a consultation with a dentist in your area.