Porcelain veneers

Thin porcelain shells bonded to the front of the teeth to change their shape or colour.

Written by VietDentalTrip editorial team

Updated

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Key points

  • Fitting porcelain veneers usually removes some enamel, which doesn't grow back.
  • Veneers normally fit in one trip of about a week.
  • Some offers sold as veneers are full crowns. Ask for the plan tooth by tooth, in writing.

Top clinics for porcelain veneers

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Demo Clinics marked Demo are examples that show how listings will look. They aren't real and can't be contacted.

  1. Bayside Dental Nha TrangBayside Dental Nha Trang DemoLộc Thọ, Nha TrangNo reviews yetFrom US$220
  2. Han River Smile ClinicHan River Smile Clinic DemoHải Châu, Da NangNo reviews yetFrom US$240
  3. Saigon Riverside Dental StudioSaigon Riverside Dental Studio DemoDistrict 1, Ho Chi Minh CityNo reviews yetFrom US$250
  4. Sơn Trà Coast DentalSơn Trà Coast Dental DemoSơn Trà, Da NangNo reviews yetFrom US$230

A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain bonded to the front surface of a tooth. Veneers change the colour, shape and length of the teeth you show when you smile.

This is permanent

To fit a veneer, the dentist usually removes a thin layer of enamel. Enamel doesn't grow back, so the tooth will always need a veneer or crown afterwards. "No-prep" veneers exist but don't suit every mouth. Ask the clinic how much enamel they plan to remove and why.

How the visits work

Veneers usually fit in one trip:

  1. Examination, photos and a smile design. Many clinics show a mock-up on your teeth before any drilling.
  2. Preparation and temporary veneers.
  3. The final veneers are bonded, typically 5 to 7 days later, followed by a check a day or two after.

Veneers or crowns?

Some clinics advertise "veneers" that are really full crowns, which means grinding the whole tooth down. That is a much bigger change to a healthy tooth. Ask for the plan in writing, tooth by tooth, with the treatment named for each one.

Questions to ask the clinic

  • How many teeth do you recommend, and why that number?
  • Which porcelain do you use, and is the lab in-house?
  • What's included if a veneer chips or comes loose after I leave?

Frequently asked questions

How long do porcelain veneers last?

Ask the clinic what it expects for your case and what its warranty covers. Grinding your teeth or biting hard objects shortens their life, and a night guard helps.

Can I whiten my teeth after getting veneers?

Whitening doesn't change the colour of porcelain. If you want whiter natural teeth as well, whiten first and match the veneers to the new shade.

Sources

  1. American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). Veneers.
  2. NHS. Going abroad for treatment.

This article is general information, not medical advice. A dentist who has examined you is the right person to recommend treatment.