Dental veneers: planning shape, shade and proportions
From discussing your smile to trying a proposed shape before irreversible treatment.
On this page
What would you like to change?
A veneer consultation starts with your priorities: tooth shape, length, shade or proportions. Photographs help communication, but decisions consider your face, lips and existing teeth. A reference smile is a conversation starter, rather than a template to copy.
What are a wax-up and a mock-up?
A wax-up is a diagnostic design made on a model or digitally. A mock-up transfers a proposal into the mouth when feasible. You can discuss its appearance and how it feels when speaking or smiling. It does not faithfully reproduce the translucency or shade of the final ceramic.
How can the trial guide preparation?
The APT study describes an additive trial used before tooth preparation. It can provide reference points for controlled tissue removal. It does not mean that every case can be treated without preparation or that the outcome is guaranteed. [1]
What should I ask?
Ask which changes are realistic, what alternatives exist and how much tooth structure may need to be removed. Understand the limits of the trial before agreeing to treatment. Choosing a very light shade is an aesthetic preference, not a measure of dental health.
Clinical sources
Further reading
Selected editions published from 2012 onwards. Books are recommended for further reading; clinical explanations reference the accessible sources above.
The information on this page is general and educational. It does not replace a medical consultation, and a treatment recommendation can only be made after examining each patient. Results differ from one case to another.
A plan for your situation
Book a consultationStart with a consultation and a plan
Every treatment begins with a diagnosis: clinical examination, photographs, radiographs and, where relevant, an occlusal analysis. Only then do we discuss options.