In what order does the porcelain veneer process go?
Porcelain veneers proceed in this order: diagnosis, design, impression, fabrication, bonding, and checkup. Conventional veneers that trim the teeth and no-prep veneers differ in the middle stages.
| Stage | Conventional (prep) porcelain veneers | No-prep porcelain veneers |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Oral exam, photos, X-rays if needed | Same |
| Tooth preparation | After anesthesia, the surface is usually trimmed 0.3–0.7mm | No trimming |
| Impression | An impression is taken after trimming and a temporary tooth is attached | Only an impression is taken; no temporary tooth |
| Fabrication | Usually 1–2 weeks | Same day to about 2 weeks (by type) |
| Bonding | The temporary tooth is removed and the veneer is bonded | Bonded right away |
| Checkup | Bite and gums are checked within 1–2 weeks after bonding | Same |
In the diagnosis stage, we look at cavities, gum condition, how far the teeth stick out, and the upper and lower bite. If there is a problem here, that treatment comes before porcelain veneers.
How many days do porcelain veneers take?
The fabrication period from impression to bonding is generally 1–2 weeks. They are made one at a time in the dental lab, so it can take longer if there are many or if the color is matched several times. Brinate at Wonjin Dental takes different amounts of time depending on the type.
| Type | Thickness | Fabrication time | Price per tooth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brinate Basic | 0.3mm | Same day possible | ₩330,000 |
| Brinate Build-up | 0.1mm | About 1 week | ₩550,000 |
| Brinate Platinum | 0.1mm | About 2 weeks | ₩990,000 |
Prices as of September 2026, including VAT (cosmetic treatment). If you have a fixed date such as a wedding or a photo shoot, add 1–2 weeks of adjustment time to the fabrication period and count backward. How to plan the schedule is in the Porcelain veneer schedule before a wedding article.
How many times do I need to visit the clinic for porcelain veneers?
Conventional porcelain veneers usually take 3 visits (consultation and diagnosis, trimming and impression, bonding), and this can drop to 2 if the impression is taken on the day of the consultation. With no-prep veneers, the consultation and impression are often done on the same day, with one more visit on the bonding day. On top of this, I recommend one checkup after bonding.
Visits increase in the following cases.
- When there are cavities or gum inflammation that need to be treated first
- When neighboring teeth that will not get veneers are whitened first: we usually wait about 2 weeks for the color to stabilize before matching the shade
- When the gum line is reshaped first: the impression is taken after the gums have healed
- When the teeth stick out and orthodontics is done first
What happens on the day porcelain veneers are bonded?
On the bonding day, the veneers are first placed in the mouth to check the color and shape, and if they look good, they are bonded. The tooth surface is treated with a mild acid, bonding cement is applied and hardened with light, the excess cement is cleaned up, and then the bite is checked. It depends on the number, but it usually takes 1–2 hours.
Before bonding, I always look in the mirror together with the patient. Once bonded, they are hard to remove, so it is best to check the color and length thoroughly at this stage. Right after bonding, the thickness and your pronunciation may feel unfamiliar, so a few days of adjustment are needed.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
The porcelain veneers Wonjin Dental mainly does are Brinate, placed without trimming, so there is no anesthesia and no temporary tooth. Basic can be bonded the same day, the thinner Build-up takes about 1 week, and Platinum takes about 2 weeks. Cases where same-day treatment is suitable are summarized in the Same-day porcelain veneers article.
The first thing I look at in diagnosis is whether the teeth stick out, or whether it is a protruding mouth caused by the skeleton. In these cases, the more is placed on top, the more the teeth stick out, so we do not do it and first explain other methods such as orthodontics. Wonjin Dental is located right by Gangnam Station Exit 1.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go straight to work on the day I get porcelain veneers?
No-prep veneers do not involve anesthesia, so you can return to daily life right away. With prep veneers, it is best to hold off on eating for about 1–3 hours until the anesthesia wears off, because you might bite your lip or cheek without realizing it.
Are temporary teeth uncomfortable?
The temporary teeth worn for 1–2 weeks with prep veneers are attached lightly so they are easy to remove later. So they can come off or stain with hard or sticky foods. If one comes off, don’t throw it away; contact the clinic.
What if I don’t like the shape after bonding?
Adjustments such as slightly trimming the length or corners can be made even after bonding. However, changing the color or making them larger often requires remaking them. That is why the checking stage before bonding is important.
Should I get whitening before porcelain veneers?
If the color of neighboring teeth that will not get veneers or your lower teeth bothers you, teeth whitening is done first. Right after whitening, the color fluctuates and bonding strength may also drop, so we usually wait about 2 weeks before matching the veneer shade.
