Will porcelain veneers make a protruding mouth go back?

What causes a protruding mouth?

A protruding mouth is divided into dental protrusion, where the teeth stick out, and skeletal protrusion, where the bone sticks out. Some people's mouths look protruding because only the front teeth tilt outward, while for others the alveolar bone (jawbone) supporting the teeth or the jaw itself sticks forward. In the clinic I'm often asked, “Orthodontics feels like a lot. If I get veneers, my mouth will go back, right?” and the answer depends on which type it is.

Why don't porcelain veneers make a protruding mouth go back?

Because veneers are a treatment that bonds thin porcelain to the surface of the teeth, they can't move the teeth back. If the bone sticks out and only porcelain is bonded, the bone stays the same and only the front looks thicker. Shaving deeply to force the teeth back leaves too little enamel, causing sensitivity and weakening the bond.

When are porcelain veneers possible?

When the alveolar bone is in its normal position and only one or two front teeth flare outward. In this case, the inner side of the porcelain is closed in slightly to correct the angle, and even if the tooth is shaved, the shaving stays within the enamel. If the dentin beneath is exposed, the tooth becomes sensitive and the bond weakens.

If the veneer can't be made thin, it is better not to bond one. Building it up thickly actually makes the mouth look more protruding. Also, if the underlying tooth color is dark and only a thin veneer is placed, the color can show through, so thickness and color are calculated together.

What do you look at in the consultation to decide?

I don't look only at the lips; I look at the profile, teeth, and bone together.

• How far the lips stick out past the line connecting the tip of the nose and the chin in profile
• Whether the chin strains and wrinkles when you close your mouth
• How many front teeth tilt outward, and by how much
• The position of the alveolar bone and how the upper and lower front teeth bite together

If it is hard to close your mouth comfortably and your chin strains, it is likely not just a tooth problem, so I talk about orthodontics before veneers.

When should orthodontics be considered first?

If the front teeth stick out a lot or the mouth is skeletally protruding, orthodontics to move the teeth comes first. If only the angle of a few front teeth is the problem, partial orthodontics is sometimes possible, and if the whole mouth protrudes, we consider orthodontics with extraction as well. This is covered in Do I have to have teeth extracted to fix a protruding mouth?

How we do it at Wonjin Dental

I look at the position of the teeth and alveolar bone before the lips. I don't bond porcelain veneers on a skeletal protruding mouth where the alveolar bone sticks out. I only discuss veneers when just one or two front teeth are angled outward.

Even Brinate, which is placed without shaving, is not placed on teeth that already stick out. Even at 0.1 to 0.3mm thick, adding it to protruding teeth makes them stick out that much more. Once porcelain is bonded, the tooth isn't exactly the same as before even if it is removed, so I tell you clearly before bonding whether to bond or to move the teeth.

As of September 2026, VAT included. All fees can be seen in All fees.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell whether my protrusion is dental or skeletal?

It's hard to tell from appearance alone; the tooth angles and bone position need to be checked with imaging. Many cases are a mix of both.

Will changing the shape of my front teeth with veneers make them look less protruding?

Refining the shape and proportions of the front teeth can slightly reduce the protruding look. But the effect on the mouth shape itself is limited, and if the cause is the bone, there is almost no difference.

Can I get porcelain veneers after orthodontics?

Yes. Sometimes, after the positions are corrected with orthodontics, any remaining color or shape issues are addressed with veneers.