What is checked first in a front-tooth veneer consultation?
I look at where the front surface is now before the shape you want. When patients ask “Where do you start with my teeth?” I tell them whether the teeth stick forward, sit inward, or are rotated. I start by checking whether the teeth stick forward.
Even the same 0.1mm makes a forward tooth look more forward, while on an inward tooth it brings the height level with the neighboring teeth. Even at the same thickness, a different position gives a different result, so I don’t run consultations that open a shade guide and settle the number of teeth first. It helps to tell us the shape you want. But first we need to work out whether that shape is possible from where your teeth are now.
| Your front teeth now | Treatment direction |
|---|---|
| Set inward with room to spare | Placed without shaving |
| Slightly crooked or large | Lightly reshaped within the enamel |
| Sticking forward or heavily overlapping | Not placed; moved with orthodontics, or treatment that involves shaving |
| Very little tooth wall remaining | Another restoration instead of a thin veneer |
Why aren’t veneers placed on front teeth that stick forward?
Because the tooth comes forward by as much as is added. Teeth that stick forward a lot are not given no-prep veneers, and veneers are not placed for a skeletal protruding mouth either. Bone is not pushed back by porcelain. If a tooth sticks forward only slightly, we may consider lightly reshaping the front surface within the enamel to offset the thickness. Trying to hide an overlapping arrangement concentrates the thickness on one side, so in that case we look at moving the teeth first with partial orthodontics. We don’t decide on placing versus moving all at once; we look at the position and then set the order.
Why is the gum line checked too?
A veneer starts at the gum line, so if the gum heights on the left and right differ, one side looks longer even if the lengths are matched. Gum contouring is not a standard item; we consider it only when the line is covering the tooth. The criteria are in Is gum contouring done with porcelain veneers?
We don’t fill in areas where the gums have receded with porcelain. Gums do not grow back. If the margin is pushed deep under the gum to hide an exposed tooth neck (cervical area), the gum swells and darkens.
What is checked before bonding?
Before final bonding, we try the shape and color in your mouth and compare two or three different cement shades. We also check how much shows when you smile, the lip line, the proportions with neighboring teeth, and whether a lower tooth hits one tooth first. That is because once bonded, a veneer cannot easily be removed. If you grind your teeth, the same force is repeated, so we adjust the bite even more carefully. How much of the front tooth edges shows when your lips are relaxed and how much gum shows when you smile widely are also used to decide the length.
How we do it at Wonjin Dental
If the teeth sit inward with room to spare, we first consider Brinate, which is placed without shaving. Basic at 0.3mm can be done the same day, and Build-up and Platinum at 0.1mm take about 1 week and 2 weeks, with no anesthesia or temporary teeth. After the consultation, I summarize whether your front teeth stick forward now, why we would or would not shave, how they fit your lip line when you smile, and how we see the risk of chipping or coming off. You don’t have to decide on the same day. Prices are on the full fee schedule.
Frequently asked questions
How many front-tooth veneers do I need?
It is decided by how much shows when you smile and by color and proportions relative to the neighboring teeth. Four to six upper front teeth is common, but sometimes just one or two are enough.
Can I bring a photo of a celebrity’s teeth I like?
Yes, you can. However, face shape, lip thickness, and gum line differ, so the same shape may not suit you; we use the photo as a reference to understand the look you want.
Can I get a veneer on just one front tooth?
Yes. However, matching the color and translucency to the neighboring teeth is trickier than when doing several, so we compare colors several times and, if needed, choose the hand-layered method.
How white can veneers be made?
They can be made to the brightness you want, but a color that is too white can stand out from the neighboring teeth or your skin tone. I recommend trying them in under different lighting before deciding.
