No-prep veneers vs. regular porcelain veneers at a glance?
Both use porcelain as the bonded material; what differs is whether the teeth are shaved first. A no-prep veneer is placed without shaving, and at Wonjin Dental we call it Brinate.
| Category | Regular porcelain veneers | No-prep veneers (Brinate) |
|---|---|---|
| Before bonding | The front enamel is shaved | No shaving |
| Bonding surface | Shaved enamel, or dentin if deep | Unshaved enamel |
| Anesthesia | Used depending on how much is shaved | Not used |
| Temporary tooth | Covers the teeth while waiting | None |
| After removal | The shaved surface is exposed and must be covered again | The original tooth remains almost as it was |
| When it is not done | Teeth whose enamel is too thin | Teeth that stick out forward, skeletal protruding mouth |
Do they bond well to unshaved teeth?
Yes, unshaved enamel (the outer layer of the tooth) is a surface that bonds well. Brinate is bonded directly onto the original outer layer. However, biting off hard food with the front teeth can make it come off or chip, so you only need to avoid that, and porcelain that comes off is bonded again.
Regular porcelain veneers bond well too. However, if the tooth is shaved deeply and the dentin (the layer beneath the enamel) is exposed, bonding to that surface is weaker than to enamel, and sensitivity may remain. The more that is shaved, the more it becomes not a thin covering but a covering that hides a shaved tooth. I have summarized how much tooth is removed for each treatment in Comparing how much tooth is removed.
If porcelain veneers are removed, do the teeth go back to how they were?
When Brinate is removed, the original tooth remains as it was. Because the outer layer is reshaped very slightly when the bonding agent is cleaned off, it is not completely the same as before treatment, but it is different from a shaved surface. When regular porcelain veneers are removed, the shaved front surface is exposed and must be covered again.
Don’t no-prep veneers make front teeth look thick?
It depends on how they are made. The pressed type is about the thickness of three or four sheets of paper; the hand-layered type is thinner than one sheet of paper.
| Type | Thickness / fabrication | Time | Price per tooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | About 0.3mm, pressed | Same day also possible | ₩330,000 |
| Build-up | 0.1mm or less, layered by hand | About 1 week | ₩550,000 |
| Platinum | 0.1mm or less, layered on platinum foil | About 2 weeks | ₩990,000 |
As of September 2026, VAT included (cosmetic treatment). All items are in Full fee list.
The edges are even thinner than this, so no ledge is visible at the gum line. If a tooth originally sat inward, that thickness actually brings it in line with the neighboring teeth. Conversely, on a tooth that already sticks out, even a thin veneer makes it look more prominent, so we do not place it. I have covered this further in Do no-prep veneers look thick?
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
There are usually two visits. On the first day we decide on color and shape and take an impression, and the finished porcelain is bonded at the next visit. Since nothing is shaved, you simply go about with your own teeth while waiting, without a temporary tooth. Same-day fabrication of Basic is possible on some days and not others, so we confirm it during the consultation. The two hand-layered types match the color from the inside rather than painting it on the surface, and Platinum is layered on platinum foil so the edge at the gum side tapers off finely. For teeth where it will not work, I tell you so first.
Frequently asked questions
How long do no-prep veneers last?
Porcelain veneers are known to often last 10 years or more, depending on care. If you grind your teeth or have a habit of biting hard things with your front teeth, they last less, and Brinate that comes off can be bonded again.
Can anyone get no-prep veneers?
No. We do not place them on teeth that stick out forward, a skeletal protruding mouth, or severely overlapping teeth, and we look first at orthodontics or other methods.
Are no-prep veneers sensitive too?
Because nothing is shaved, the dentin is not exposed, so there is generally less concern about sensitivity than with veneers that require shaving. Some people feel briefly sensitive right after bonding.
What should I do if Brinate comes off?
Do not throw away the porcelain that came off; keep it and bring it in. If it is not broken, we clean the surface and bond it again; if it is broken, we make a new one. If you have a habit of biting hard things with your front teeth, it is good to cut back on that first.
