Veneers are manufactured and used in several steps to achieve a natural and aesthetic result. First, our dentist will examine your teeth and discuss the desired changes with you. A thin layer of tooth enamel (usually 0.3 to 1 millimeter) is then removed from the affected teeth so that the veneers stick well and the teeth do not appear unnaturally thick.

An impression or digital scan model of the teeth is then created, which serves as the basis for manufacturing the veneers. These are individually manufactured by a dental technician from ceramic or a special composite material, which usually takes one to two weeks.

During this time, you can wear a temporary solution if necessary. As soon as the final veneers are finished, they are firmly attached to the teeth with a special adhesive, carefully adjusted and finally polished to achieve a harmonious, long-lasting result.

In principle, veneers can be used from young adulthood when the dentition is fully developed. This is usually the case from around 18 years of age.

However, it is important that the teeth and gums are healthy and that there are no fundamental orthodontic or dental problems. In individual cases, such as adolescents with severely damaged front teeth, veneers may be used earlier but should be considered carefully.

When preparing for veneers, only a minimal amount of tooth enamel is removed to make room for the veneers while ensuring they stick well and look natural. Exactly how much is sanded off depends on the type of veneer.

Conventional veneers

Classic veneers remove around 0.3 to 1 millimeter of tooth enamel. This corresponds to the thickness of the composite shells and prevents the tooth from appearing unnaturally thick after treatment. This conventional type is used when more extensive corrections of the tooth shape or color are required.

Non-prep or minimally prep veneers

The gentler version is so-called non-prep or minimal prep veneers, particularly thin veneers. Here, either no tooth enamel is removed at all or only a minimal removal of less than 0.3 millimeters is carried out.

These wafer-thin veneers can be applied directly to the tooth and are particularly suitable for you if you only need minor aesthetic adjustments and want to preserve your tooth structure as much as possible.

Contrary to the common assumption that non-prep or minimal prep veneers must be cheaper than conventional veneers, as they do not require sanding, they are usually even associated with slightly higher costs.

This is due to the fact that they must be manufactured extremely thin and at the same time precisely, which requires particularly precise work and high-quality materials.

Veneers usually last between 10 and 15 years, depending on the material (ceramic is more durable than composite) and care. With good oral hygiene, including regular professional teeth cleaning and careful handling (avoiding teeth grinding, chewing hard foods), the ceramic bowls can even last longer.

After this period, however, they usually begin to show signs of wear or damage, which accordingly requires replacement or post-treatment.

Yes, veneers can in principle also be removed again, but the enamel removed for attachment does not grow back again. As a result of the lower protective layer, the tooth is then both more sensitive (cold, hot or hard food) and more susceptible to diseases. We therefore do not recommend removing veneers.

Veneers cannot be placed on crowns. If a tooth has already been fitted with a crown and there is a desire for an aesthetic improvement, the crown must be replaced. That's because veneers are specifically designed for natural teeth and are applied to tooth enamel. A crown that covers the entire tooth does not provide the necessary adhesion for a veneer.

Yes, there are clip-on veneers as a non-invasive solution, also known as “snap-on veneers.” These are put over the teeth without the enamel being sanded off. They are usually made of plastic and can be used in particular for discolouration or slight irregularities. However, they are not as durable or stable as firmly glued veneers and therefore do not offer a permanent solution.

Treatment with veneers is usually not medically necessary, but purely aesthetic. In the case of teeth severely affected by accidents or tooth decay, other treatment methods (such as crowns) are used to stabilize the tooth structure and thus restore the functionality of the dentition.

Ceramics (in particular lithium disilicate ceramics) are certainly the highest quality solution. Compared to composite veneers, this is more durable and therefore more durable, as well as more aesthetically appealing.

Ceramic veneers also offer natural transparency and color that is very similar to real teeth. In addition, they are also less susceptible to discolouration and easier to clean.

These are all factors or benefits that are of course also reflected in the costs in the end, but represent a long-term investment in your dental health, which is definitely recommended.

In Germany, supplementary dental insurance generally covers the costs of veneers either not at all or only partially, as the treatment is considered an aesthetic measure and not medically necessary. Only a few premium insurance packages include a pro rata reimbursement of cosmetic procedures. However, everyone has to decide for themselves whether it is worthwhile to take out one just to reduce the costs of veneers a little.

The disadvantages of veneers lie primarily in their irreversibility, as some tooth enamel is sanded off before the veneers are applied. As a result, the teeth become permanently more sensitive because the removed part of the enamel protection layer no longer grows back. A later removal is therefore theoretically possible, but not recommended in practice.

In addition, veneers last a long time, but not for life and must therefore be replaced after about 10 to 15 years, which therefore entails the same costs as at the beginning. However, veneers are by no means dangerous, as is sometimes assumed.

If you want to beautify your teeth but don't want to use veneers, there are various alternatives available that also provide an aesthetic improvement. However, these depend on your individual situation, as they are not the best option in all cases — or even possible at all.

• 1. Dental splints:
• What it is: Dental splints - how Invisalign Alligner - are transparent, removable plastic trays that are placed on the teeth to correct slight tooth misalignments and improve the shape of the tooth.
• When appropriate: Dental splints are a good choice when it comes to straightening teeth or correcting minor aesthetic defects such as gaps or overlaps. They are often chosen by patients as an alternative to Veeners who prefer gradual teeth correction over permanent solutions such as veneers.
• advantages: Less invasive and less expensive.
• Disadvantages: Can only be used for minor misaligned teeth or minor aesthetic corrections and are also not suitable for removing stains or strengthening teeth.
• 2. Tooth reshaping (contouring):
• What it is: Easy smoothing of corners or edges to optimize tooth shape.
• When appropriate: For minor bumps or minimal asymmetries.
• advantages: Fast, minimally invasive and cost-effective.
• Disadvantages: Only suitable for minor adjustments.
• 3. Lumineers
• What it is: Lumineers are a special type of ultra-thin ceramic shells that are applied to the teeth like veneers. However, this removes less tooth enamel.
• When appropriate: Lumineers are particularly suitable when it comes to correcting small gaps between teeth as well as slight stains or misalignments.
• advantages: Lumineers require the removal of very little to no enamel. At the same time, however, they are just as durable as Veeners and offer the same natural aesthetics.
• Disadvantages: Lumineers are not as sturdy as veneers and can therefore be damaged more easily.
• 4. Tooth fillings or bonding (composite veneers):
• What it is: Apply tooth-colored plastic to conceal minor damage, gaps, or discoloration
• When appropriate: For broken teeth, small gaps, or color variations.
• advantages: Affordable, fast and reversible.
• Disadvantages: Less durable and not as color-stable as veneers.
• 5th crowns:
• What it is: A complete crowning of the tooth, which offers both aesthetic and functional benefits.
• When appropriate: For severely damaged or weakened teeth.
• advantages: Very sturdy, durable and versatile
• Disadvantages: More invasive than veneers because more tooth tissue needs to be removed.
• 6. Orthodontics (braces or aligners):
• When appropriate: In case of misalignments, gaps between teeth or irregular tooth position.
• advantages: Permanently corrects tooth position and improves both aesthetics and function.
• Disadvantages: Longer treatment time and higher costs.
• 7. Gum corrections (gingivoplasty):
• What it is: Adjustment of gingival trajectory to optimize the ratio of teeth to gums.
• When appropriate: With a “gummy smile” (when a lot of gums is visible) or uneven gums.
• advantages: Can aesthetically improve smiles
• Disadvantages: Invasive and requires a healing period.

As already mentioned, which of these veneer alternatives is best for you depends on the individual initial situation of your teeth. Make an appointment at our dental practice to choose the optimal option together. We are looking forward to seeing you!

Thanks to the veneers, the tooth surface underneath is generally well protected. However, teeth under veneers can break in certain cases if dental and oral care is neglected. For example, tooth decay that forms at the edges can spread to under the veneer shells if gaps form due to gum atrophy or mechanical damage.

Regular dental visits, including oral hygiene and avoiding excessive stress (e.g. by grinding teeth or chewing hard foods), are therefore crucial to maintaining the health of the teeth under the veneers.

With veneers, you usually have no increased risk of bad breath if you have good oral hygiene. However, bad breath can occur if bacteria build up on the edges of the veneers or in poorly cleaned areas.

It is therefore important to thoroughly clean your teeth daily, use dental floss or interdental brushes, and schedule regular dental visits. If bad breath occurs despite good care, you should make an appointment with our dentist to clarify the cause.

A veneer cannot be whitened or bleached because the material it is made of — usually ceramic or composite — is color-stable and does not react to bleach. The color of a veneer is therefore determined during production and remains unchanged afterwards.

If you are planning to whiten your teeth, you should do so before making the veneers so that they can be matched in color to the whitened teeth. In addition, with veneers, you should moderate your consumption of coffee, tea, red wine or tobacco so as not to stain the surrounding teeth, which would result in a noticeable difference in color.

You should handle veneers with care to ensure their durability and prevent damage. Biting hard objects such as ice cubes, nuts or bones, as well as habits such as biting nails or chewing on pens, can damage or even loosen the veneers. Grinding or pressing teeth is also a burden, which is why the use of a dental splint is recommended for bruxism.

Thorough oral hygiene is also important, as neglect can cause tooth decay at the edges of the veneers. Although ceramic veneers are resistant to discoloration, you should moderate your consumption of coffee, tea, red wine, or tobacco so as not to stain the surrounding teeth, which would result in a noticeable difference in color. Regular dental visits help you maintain the fit and condition of the veneers over the long term.

In the event that a veneer breaks, please make an appointment at our practice immediately to have the damage assessed. If possible, store the broken piece safely and bring it with you for inspection. Our dentist then checks whether the veneer can be repaired or needs to be replaced.

Until your appointment, you should treat the affected area as carefully as possible to prevent further damage. A quick repair ensures that the function and aesthetics of your teeth can be reliably restored, so don't hesitate to contact us - together we will find a solution.