What should I ask in a porcelain veneer consultation?
Many people come in saying “Just make them look pretty.” Rather than pretty words, I start by telling you about the conditions of these teeth. If you ask the questions below in a consultation, you can gauge how thorough the explanation is.
- Are any of my teeth not suited to porcelain veneers?
- If teeth are trimmed, which ones, by how much, and why?
- If they are not trimmed, what is the basis for saying they won’t look bulky?
- How many do I need, and why that number?
- Under what light, and how, is the color checked?
- How far are adjustments and checkups after bonding included?
The criteria for deciding the number are summarized separately in How many front teeth need porcelain veneers?.
Why is hearing “it won’t work” important?
If porcelain is placed on teeth that stick out, overlapping teeth, teeth with dark inner color, or a skeletal protruding mouth, they look bulky or the color shows through. If that is left out of the consultation, you only find out about the problem after bonding. Listen for whether you are told when it won’t work.
| What I say | The tooth |
|---|---|
| We won’t trim it | It sits inward and there is space left |
| We won’t place one | It sticks out or overlaps |
| Moving the teeth comes first | The alignment hides the line |
If a tooth is trimmed, why this tooth is trimmed, and if a veneer is placed on top, why there is space left, should come from the width and angle of the tooth. “That’s how it’s done these days” is not the answer for this tooth.
A skeletal protruding mouth is a condition where the bone itself sits forward, so it cannot be hidden with porcelain. In this case, I first explain what is possible with orthodontics rather than porcelain veneers. Once bonded, porcelain is not something you peel off and reapply like a sticker, so the explanation before bonding matters most.
How is porcelain veneer color chosen?
Treatment room lighting is bright. A white chosen under that light tends to look unnaturally bright in everyday life. Seen in the waiting room, by a window, or under evening lamps, the same color looks subtly different. That is why I look under several kinds of light and, before bonding, try it on with different shades of bonding cement.
If you are not happy with the shape or color, you do not have to decide that day. These are front teeth you see in the mirror every day, so we do not rush. Why teeth that are too white look unnatural is written up in Why front teeth that are too white look unnatural.
What if I’m worried the inner color will show through?
Mild discoloration can mostly be hidden by making the porcelain more opaque. If the underlying tooth is very dark, I tell you that a thin veneer will not give the brightness you want, and we look at brightening the base with whitening first or at other methods.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
In consultation, I talk about what won’t work before what will. I do not skip saying no to save time. For teeth where a veneer can be placed without trimming, I talk about Brinate. There is no anesthesia and no temporary tooth; the machine-milled Basic is 0.3mm, and the hand-layered Build-up and Platinum are 0.1mm. Hand layering allows a different translucency in each layer, so I recommend it when the depth of color needs to match the neighboring teeth.
Brinate is ₩330,000–₩990,000 per tooth (as of September 2026, including VAT), and the full list is on All treatment fees. The price does not replace a diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring photos of the front teeth I want?
It helps. However, the width of the teeth, lips, and gum line in the photo differ from yours, so the look needs to be adjusted to suit your face.
Do I have to get the procedure on the day of the consultation?
There is no need. Brinate Basic can be done the same day, but it is not too late to decide once you are confident about the color and shape.
Won’t a long consultation delay my decision?
It may delay it a little. Still, it is better to hear on the spot why something won’t work than to regret it after bonding.
What if I find it hard to give my opinion during the consultation?
You do not have to decide on the spot. If you look at the photos at home, write down anything that bothers you, and tell us again, we will readjust the shape and color based on that.
