Veneer Preparation Types
Different approaches to preparing teeth for dental veneers.
Veneer preparation ranges from no-prep to full-prep, depending on the clinical situation. Window preparation removes enamel from the facial surface only, preserving incisal edge. Feathered preparation creates a thin, tapered margin. Butt-joint preparation creates a defined shoulder at the incisal edge. Full-prep extends to include the incisal edge and sometimes palatal surface. The amount of tooth reduction directly affects aesthetics and longevity. Minimal preparations (0.3-0.5mm) preserve more enamel and provide better bond strength. Standard preparations (0.5-0.7mm) allow the ceramist more room for color and translucency adjustments. The preparation design should be guided by the diagnostic wax-up and the specific changes needed — teeth requiring significant color change need more depth; teeth needing only shape changes may need minimal or no preparation.