Veneers are proving to be a long-lasting investment in both appearance and oral health – provided they are applied correctly.

In the field of cosmetic dentistry, veneers – restorative dental devices of medical-grade materials – are becoming a popular choice for patients seeking personalized restorative treatments. Among the available cosmetic options, veneers stand out as a top choice for achieving the perfect “Hollywood” smile, driving an increasing demand for enhanced dental technology, training, and patient care.

But the story of veneers is about more than just aesthetics – it’s about how modern advancements are transforming both smiles and the practice of dentistry itself. From the materials used to the tools that enable precise, personalized treatments, veneers are reshaping the industry while providing patients with long-lasting, functional results.

In this particular case, perfection is attainable subjectively and objectively. Dental veneers are designed to cover the front surface of teeth, improving the appearance and function of teeth that are discolored, worn down, chipped, misaligned, or irregularly shaped. The ideal appearance is achieved through close collaboration between a cosmetic dentist and their patient. But beyond the individual ideal lies a “golden proportion.”

“Studies have shown that visually, if your lips are at rest and you show around three millimeters of your top teeth compared to showing no teeth, it creates a more youthful smile – so sometimes we’ll actually make the teeth slightly longer,” says Dr. Kelly Wang, a cosmetic dentist at the Taipei-based Longwood Clinic. “There’s pretty much a golden proportion of how the front teeth should look like,” where the central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines are balanced for a harmonious, natural look, she explains.

Achieving this perfect smile isn’t just about artistry – it’s about technology.

Traditionally, the process of envisioning the final result involved taking upper and lower jaw impressions, filling them to create stone models, and using melted wax to sculpt and design a model of the veneers. Nowadays, intraoral scanners have allowed for the digital capture of a patient’s dental structure. This digital model is then used to design the veneer, which can be 3D-printed or milled from a solid block of material, shifting away from labor-intensive practices.

The integration of digital tools has revolutionized how veneers are crafted and applied, offering significant advantages for both dentists and patients. These advancements improve the precision of veneer design and drastically reduce the time needed for fittings and adjustments, which can lead to fewer dental visits and more efficient procedures overall. Additionally, digital smile design systems allow dentists to simulate and visualize the final outcome before any irreversible work is done, offering patients more control and confidence in the treatment.

This isn’t to say that physical molds are a thing of the past. “It’s still very 50-50,” says Dr. Wang. “Digital tools are very expensive, and then there’s a learning curve – there are so many brands with a lot of different software you have to learn how to use.”

Furthermore, the larger heads of digital scanners can reduce precision when accessing hard-to-reach areas. The presence of crowns or areas beneath the gum line, which may contain blood or fluid, can further compromise the accuracy of digital images. These increased margins introduce a significant risk level, especially considering the permanent nature of the procedure.

The process of getting veneers involves removing a thin layer of enamel from the tooth’s surface, which is an irreversible alteration to the natural teeth. Shaving the tooth in this manner provides a more solid foundation for the dental cement, enhancing the veneers’ adherence and overall durability.

Despite the current shortcomings of digital tools, Dr. Wang sees the advancement of these technologies as a strong future trend. “There would be no more molds or casts – it would just be digital files,” she says, adding that AI could eventually determine the margins beneath the gums. AI could also enhance the precision of digital smile designs by analyzing patient data and predicting outcomes more accurately.

It takes a village

Beyond looks, veneers can play a critical role in maintaining oral health. The materials used in their construction must be both durable and aesthetically pleasing. The two most common materials for veneers today are porcelain and lithium disilicate, or glass ceramics. Porcelain has long been prized for its natural look, though its application demands a skilled hand for layering and glazing. In contrast, lithium disilicate provides machinability, enabling dentists to leverage digital design and manufacturing techniques.

Paul Lu, sales manager at King Chang Dental Supply Co., explains that manufacturers have largely overcome the technical challenges associated with veneers. “The key focus now is on color, gloss, and how well the veneer adheres to the teeth and interacts with soft tissues,” he says. The final decision on material now often depends on the patient’s aesthetic preferences.

King Chang Dental, a regional distributor with over 30 years of service, focuses on promoting veneers and adhesives to dental labs and clinics. According to Lu, the materials sold in Taiwan generally meet the necessary strength and hardness standards for veneers.

While some patients may request ultra-white or oversized veneers inspired by influencer and celebrity trends, it’s the dentist’s responsibility to ensure that the veneers are not only visually appealing but also functional. For example, veneers that are too long or thick can disrupt a patient’s bite and increase the risk of fractures.

Achieving the right results requires the combined expertise of cosmetic dentists, orthodontists, periodontists, and lab technicians. For example, patients with a “gummy smile” may need both veneers and gum reshaping procedures to achieve desired results. In such cases, the cosmetic dentist works closely with the periodontist to sculpt the gumline and ensure that the lab-designed veneers fit seamlessly with the new contours.

Just as with natural teeth, regular brushing, flossing, and biannual dental cleanings are required to prevent decay around the edges and maintain gum health. Follow-up appointments will also allow a cosmetic dentist to track the progression of marginal staining and scout for signs of microleakage, which occurs when the bond between the veneer and the tooth is compromised.

With proper care, veneers can last between 10 to 15 years, though factors such as receding gums or damage from accidents may necessitate earlier replacement. For patients prone to teeth grinding, night guards may be recommended to prevent excessive wear on the veneers. Fortunately, “patients with veneers often become more diligent with their oral care routines, recognizing the investment they’ve made in their smiles,” Dr. Wang notes.

For patients at Longwood Dental Clinic, the allure of veneers continues to grow, lingering as an increasingly appealing option in the back of their minds. Dr. Wang advocates for a conservative approach, stressing that while veneers offer significant cosmetic and functional benefits, patients should fully understand the long-term implications of altering their natural teeth.

“Your natural enamel is irreplaceable,” she says. “Veneers are a fantastic option for many, but they shouldn’t be the first solution for every patient. Less invasive options like whitening should be considered first.”

To streamline the veneer preparation process, companies like Solventum (formerly 3M Health Care Business) have developed innovative solutions to improve both reliability and ease of use for clinicians. Taiwan Country Governance Leader and GCA Business Leader at Solventum Venny Peng emphasizes the importance of creating user-friendly systems for dental professionals.

“The 3M veneers delivery and shading system has been thoughtfully designed to make color matching easier for clinicians,” Peng explains. The system features water-soluble, residue-free try-in pastes, which closely match the final cured cement. This attribute streamlines the process of finding the right shade and simplifies clean-up, making it a convenient choice for busy dental practices.

Jumping on the bandwagon

In her article for The Cut titled “Don’t Trust That ‘Veneer Tech,’” Lindsay Gellman details the harrowing personal accounts of various patients, shedding light on the darker side of the rapidly growing veneer industry in the United States, fueled by social media trends.

One such victim is Yrisha Ragin, a 36-year-old from Tennessee, who booked a US$1,500 (nearly NT$48,000) appointment for composite veneers with a woman named Princess, found through social media. Hoping to improve her smile, Ragin drove seven hours to Princess’s setup in a barbershop.

Initially pleased with the results, she soon faced a nightmare: several veneers fell out during her drive home, and within days, most had come off. Her dentist removed the remaining veneers for another US$1,300, warning her about the dangers of allowing unqualified individuals to perform dental work.

In Taiwan, these nightmare situations are far less likely to surface – but there is still a very real concern about which clinics or cosmetic dentists patients seek out.

“You need to choose the right dentist,” says Dr. Wang. “Even if you don’t cut into the teeth to have these veneers glued on, when you want to change them, you still need to cut the teeth and destroy the outer layer.”

The education and training for veneer application remain in their early stages compared to the broader history of dentistry. Dr. Wang explains that veneers were not part of standard dental curricula until recently. Even now, dental schools primarily emphasize traditional restorative procedures like crowns and bridges, leaving cosmetic dentistry – veneers included – largely to post-graduate programs and continuing education courses.

Dr. Wang pursued additional training after observing a growing interest in veneers, particularly among patients influenced by social media. It was only a decade ago that she introduced the techniques she studied at New York University to Taiwan’s dental community, which had minimal exposure to the practice at the time.

There are three distinct timelines within the veneer world: slow-to-start traditional dentists who lack the tools and education, mid-speed modern dentists who have been organically picking up the skills in updated university courses, and commercial entities blazing ahead to secure their place in an increasingly competitive and very lucrative market.

“I feel like veneers are being done too much,” says Dr. Wang. “Some dentists will still do it [unnecessarily often] because, I mean, it’s an expensive procedure.”

Veneers have become so ubiquitous that even clinics in Taiwan, where veneers were once rare, now offer them widely. Despite illegal operators preying on the demand for affordable cosmetic treatments, bypassing the rigorous education and licensure that professional cosmetic dentists undergo, the fragmented landscape is gradually leveling out.

“Manufacturers often invite experienced dentists to serve as instructors and offer courses to teach other dentists how to use different veneer materials or the tools used in the process, such as diamond burs or cement,” says King Chang Dental’s Lu.

He explains that his company offers courses both before and after sales to clinics and laboratories, providing instruction on various techniques and how to achieve better results in the production of veneers.

Dr. Wang remains optimistic, noting that more dental schools are beginning to incorporate cosmetic dentistry techniques into their curricula. Distributors like Lu share this confidence, pointing to growing demand.

“However, this development will depend on regulations, as determining whether assessments and treatments are considered medical acts requires legal clarification,” he says. “The concern is that unqualified parties may bypass dentists and directly assess patients, leading to illegal practices.”