Are non-prep veneers any good?

Hello there,When considering veneers, I usually recommend minimal prep veneers, over non-prep veneers and here's why:Zero prep veneers sound great to the patient, but in my 12 years of experience as a cosmetic dentist, I have found that no prep veneers are not nearly as reliable as minimal prep veneers.  For example, if you sometimes grind your teeth, chew abrasive foods (steak, candy apples, hard candy, nuts, etc.) you will find that zero prep veneers are much more likely to break or fall off, no matter the dentist that does them.  This is so common, that the overwhelming majority of dentist will never guarantee these veneers will last longer than a year.  This is simply because the dentist does not want to endure the cost of replacing and redoing the veneers.       Conversely, minimal prep porcelain veneers (EMax or Empress, depending on your case) have much great durability.  So much so, that when they are done right by a dentist that knows what s/he is doing, you can expect to get 20 years or more out of them.  In the case of porcelain veneers, we usually offer a 10 year warranty against the veneers falling off or breaking.        Whichever dentist you choose, just make sure that they have plenty of before and after pictures of their actual patients, so you will know that they know what they're doing and what you can expect.  Good luck and I hope this helps. Follow me if you have more questions.Sarah Thompson, DMDSt. Louis, MO area (O'Fallon, IL)Real Self 100

I assume autocorrect changed your question to Duration.... But yes, if Durathins are appropriate for you (don't know without exam, xrays, photos, etc) the result can be fantastic.  Many dentists are unfamiliar with the material, so the fact you are asking means you likely found someone that knows how to do this and uses a lab that is fantastic.Understand, however, that it should be considered irreversible.  If you don't like them, removal will not result in "prisitine virgin teeth", but the affects of removal may be insignificant enough that you don't care.

I agree with my dental colleagues that if you are happy with your teeth, whitening and replacing the buccal composites - what you yourself suggested is an excellent option. 
All veneers require a thought out plan for both occlusion (to make sure they do not chip off or break) and for appearance. The decision between veneer types really depends on the amount of change you are looking to achieve. In a given scenario almost any product can be the most suitable - that is why they are all in the market. 
Usually though the minimal intervention that makes you happy is the best solution. 

Good luck with whatever you decide to do -
Thomas Dey, BDA, MSc 

There are many applications for no-prep veneers -- way more than most dentists realize.  With proper training, the opportunities for no prep veneers are many.  In your case, however you have already had dental work on your teeth (buccal fillings).  So, I wouldn't place no prep veneers over old composites, because I want the new porcelain to be bonded to clean and healthy tooth structure.  And, if you're not looking for dramatic changes, you might want to consider whitening your teeth with a professional whitening system, replacing the old fillings to match the whitened teeth, and then doing some bonding and reshaping of your teeth to make your smile more ideal.

Thanks for your question!If you're generally happy with your smile, consider a whitening and replacing the bonding. If you'd like a more dramatic difference, veneers can be a nice option for you. I virtually never do completely no-prep veneers. There is always a bit of recontouring of the teeth to make sure your smile does not appear too bulky, the veneers last and have enough retention, and the gum tissue remains healthy. Best of luck and follow us for more information!