DENTAL · COSMETIC
Veneers
Also known as: dental veneers · laminate veneers
Veneers are thin, custom-made shells bonded to the front of your teeth to change their color, shape or size. Both visits usually fit into one trip of 5 to 7 days, and veneers last 10 to 15 years on average.
- Visits2, in one trip
- Time abroad5 to 7 days
- DowntimeNone
- Last on average10 to 15 years
Are Veneers Safe?
They can be. Veneers are a common cosmetic treatment and don't involve surgery. The American Dental Association recommends having them done by a licensed, trained dentist, because preparing your teeth for veneers can't be undone.
Will My Teeth Be Shaved for Veneers?
A little. For porcelain veneers, your dentist removes a thin layer of enamel from the front of your teeth, and even no-prep veneers need some. A crown is a different treatment that covers the whole tooth. Clinics sometimes use different names, so ask your dentist to confirm in writing whether each tooth gets a veneer or a crown.
What to Keep in Mind
- Your teeth may feel more sensitive to heat and cold.
- Like natural teeth, veneers need care. Over time, a veneer can chip or come loose, and cavities can still form around it.
- Good daily care and regular checkups help your veneers last.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Veneers?
You may be a good candidate if your teeth are chipped, broken, stained, crooked or misshapen, and your teeth and gums are healthy.
Good Candidates
Your teeth are chipped, broken or stained.
Your teeth are slightly crooked or misshapen.
You don't have extensive cavities or gum disease.
You don't clench or grind your teeth, and you don't have a deep overbite. If you do, veneers may not be a good choice.
Your dentist makes the final decision after examining your teeth and gums.
Types of Veneers: Porcelain, Composite and No-Prep
Your dentist recommends a type based on your teeth and the change you want.
Porcelain Veneers
- How it works
- Thin porcelain shells, made to fit your teeth, are bonded to the front after some enamel is removed.
- Often used for
- A range of cosmetic issues, such as color, shape and size.
- What to expect
- Strong and natural-looking. In one review, 95.5% of porcelain veneers were still in place after 10 years.
No-Prep and Minimal-Prep Veneers
- How it works
- Very thin veneers that need little enamel removal.
- Often used for
- People who want a less invasive option.
- What to expect
- They still need some enamel removal, but unlike most veneers, they can be reversible.
How Are Veneers Placed? Procedure Steps
Veneers are placed over two visits. Both visits usually happen in the same trip.
Exam
First visitYour dentist examines your teeth and gums to check that veneers are right for you.
Preparing Your Teeth
First visitSmall amounts of enamel are removed from the front of your teeth.
Temporary Veneers
Between visitsIf needed, temporary veneers protect your teeth while your veneers are made.
Checking the Fit
Second visitYour dentist checks the shape, color and fit of your veneers.
Bonding
Second visitYour veneers are bonded into place with dental cement.
Veneer Recovery and Care
There's no downtime after veneers are placed. Your teeth may feel more sensitive to heat and cold for a while.
Do
- Brush with fluoride toothpaste twice a day. You can still get cavities under or around a veneer.
Don't
- Avoid chewing on hard objects or foods.
- Avoid whitening products, because they can scratch your veneers.
How Long Should You Stay Abroad for Veneers?
Most patients stay 5 to 7 days, so both visits fit into one trip.
5 to 7days
Most patients stay abroad this long.
2visits
in one trip.
A Typical Plan
ARRIVAL AND FIRST VISIT
First visit
Exam, preparing your teeth and, if needed, temporary veneers.
DAYS IN BETWEEN
Veneers are made
Your veneers are made.
SECOND VISIT
Bonding
Checking the fit, bonding your veneers and a final check before you fly home.
Flight times and entry rules depend on the country you choose. See the travel notes for each country in the comparison above, and check the entry requirements for your passport before you book.
Back Home: Follow-Up
Before you leave, ask for your treatment plan in writing, with each tooth and the material used.
How to Choose a Veneer Clinic
Choose the dentist first, then the clinic. Look for a licensed dentist who examines your teeth and gums and explains your options, and a written plan before you pay.
What to Check
- The clinic's license from the national health authority
- A licensed dentist who prepares your teeth and fits your veneers
- A written plan listing each tooth, veneers or crowns, and the material
- Before-and-after photos of patients with teeth like yours
- Everything the price includes
Questions to Ask Your Coordinator
- Which teeth do you plan to treat, and with which type of veneer?
- How much enamel will be removed?
- How will follow-up work once I'm home?
- Has this clinic been verified, and when?
Veneers: Frequently Asked Questions
Does US insurance cover veneers?
Usually not. Veneers are cosmetic, so most insurance plans don't cover them. Check your own plan before you book.
Can I whiten my veneers?
No. Avoid whitening products on veneers, because they can scratch them.
What if a veneer falls off?
A veneer can come loose or fall off. If this happens, contact your dentist.
How many veneers do I need?
It depends on how many teeth you want to change, and your dentist's advice. A full set is called a Hollywood Smile.
Our Sources
Veneers
American Dental Association, MouthHealthy · mouthhealthy.org
Veneers: What Are Dental Veneers?
Cleveland Clinic · my.clevelandclinic.org
Long-Term Survival and Complication Rates of Porcelain Laminate Veneers in Clinical Studies: A Systematic Review
Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021 · pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
ADA advises public about "veneer techs"
ADA News, American Dental Association, 2024 · adanews.ada.org