Why does covering crooked teeth with veneers require so much shaving?
I often hear, “Orthodontics takes too long. Just cover them with veneers.” Crooked teeth are not a color problem; they are an alignment problem, where teeth overlap or sit forward. To place porcelain over them where they are and line them up with the neighboring teeth, the front surface has to be shaved by as much as the tooth sticks out.
The larger the overlap, the more is shaved, and the greater the sensitivity and burden on the nerve. Placing a veneer on a tooth that sticks out adds thickness, and thickly building up a tooth that sits inward makes the front row look bulky. That is why I don't place no-prep veneers on teeth that stick out.
When are veneers for crooked teeth possible without orthodontics?
When the crowding is mild, the teeth do not stick out much, and you also want to change the color and edge shape. If a canine is slightly rotated outward and the neighboring front tooth sits slightly inward, we sometimes proceed with veneers alone while reducing the amount of shaving. If it is very slight, minimal reshaping or bonding without shaving is sometimes enough.
| Condition of the teeth | When we move them | When we bond |
|---|---|---|
| Slight overlap, tooth sits inward | Briefly align the position | Place thin veneers if color is still a concern |
| Sticks out with large overlap | Move the position first | We don't cover it where it is |
| Weak bone or roots | Reduce the amount of movement | Look separately at ways to shave less |
When should crooked teeth be treated with orthodontics first?
When protrusion or overlap is severe. Just placing a cover in this state means over-shaving, causing sensitivity or an unnatural result. I also don't bond veneers for a skeletal protruding mouth. If something can't be done, I tell you so up front.
Partial orthodontics, which moves only a few front teeth, usually takes 2 to 6 months, and treating the whole row of teeth takes longer. If the gums are weak and the roots are short, I don't apply strong movement; after checking the roots on X-rays, I reduce the amount of movement or look at other alternatives as well. Whether crooked teeth must be treated with orthodontics is covered in Do crooked teeth always need orthodontics?
What order is right to shave less?
- Partial orthodontics only: when only the front teeth are slightly crooked or overlapping. The alignment itself is corrected and the front surfaces are not shaved.
- Veneers only: when the crowding is mild and you also want to change color and shape.
- Orthodontics, then veneers: when the alignment problem is large and you also want a change in color and shape. Bonding after moving the teeth means you can finish with less shaving.
Your teeth last a lifetime, while restorations will need to be redone someday. Each time, a little more tooth is shaved, so the order that shaves less in the first treatment matters. It is not about shaving to make room, but about making room so less is shaved. For adding veneers after orthodontics is finished, see Do people get veneers after orthodontics too?
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
At the consultation, I first look not at how many veneers to bond, but at what order is right to shave less. I start by checking whether the teeth stick out, and if making room means less shaving, I tell you about that order. Even if it takes longer, I choose the option that keeps the walls of the tooth.
Partial orthodontics (MTA) is ₩1,800,000. Once there is room, Brinate, which is placed without shaving, can be used: Basic 0.3mm (same day) ₩330,000, Build-up 0.1mm (about 1 week) ₩550,000, Platinum 0.1mm (about 2 weeks) ₩990,000 (per tooth, as of September 2026, VAT included). There is no anesthesia and no temporary tooth. All items are listed in All fees.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take overall if I do orthodontics and veneers together?
The veneer fabrication time is added to the 2 to 6 months of partial orthodontics. Brinate Basic is same day, and the hand-layered types take 1 to 2 weeks more.
Are the veneers bonded right after orthodontics ends?
They are bonded after confirming the teeth have reached the desired position. Even after bonding, a retainer is used as well so the moved teeth don't shift back.
How many veneers are needed for crooked teeth?
If only the overlapping teeth are done, they can look different in color and shape from the neighboring teeth, so we decide by matching left-right symmetry within the area visible when smiling. The number depends on the position of the crooked teeth and the change you want.
