No-prep & micro-prep — no anesthesia
With zero or trace reduction under the microscope, most of these cases proceed without any anesthesia at all.
Process & Comfort
The veneer process —
visits, comfort, and timing
Usually two to three visits, finished within one to two weeks. No-prep and micro-prep cases mostly proceed without anesthesia. From first consult to the first week after bonding — here is the process in its actual order.
PORCELAIN VENEER Timeline
How long does the whole thing take?
Diagnosis and design happen at the first visit; our in-house lab then spends several days hand-layering the ceramics. Add the try-in and bonding visit, plus a check-up if needed — most cases finish in two to three visits over one to two weeks. The reason it cannot be done in a day is simple: the layering time is where the naturalness comes from.
Visit by Visit
The process, visit by visit
Visits may merge or extend depending on your condition — this is the most common flow.
- 01
Visit 1 — consult, diagnosis, design (~1 hour)
We listen to your concerns, examine your teeth, and run Park’s AES digital analysis. Whether no-prep is possible, how many veneers you need, and the cost are all answered here. If orthodontics or a crown suits you better, we say so.
- 02
(If needed) preparation & provisionals
Minimal-prep cases get light anesthesia, the calculated minimum of trimming, and provisional veneers. No-prep and micro-prep cases skip this step or need no provisionals at all.
- 03
Fabrication — several days in our in-house lab
Four to five ceramics are hand-layered to build translucency. The person who diagnosed you designs the shade — the heart of how we work.
- 04
Visit 2 — try-in & bonding (1–2 hours)
The finished shells are placed on your teeth before bonding so you can confirm shade and shape together. Only then do we bond, followed by precise bite adjustment.
- 05
Visit 3 — check-up
We verify the bond, bite, and gum response, and go over care routines. From here it becomes a 6–12 month check-up cycle.
Does It Hurt
How much does it hurt?
Veneers are known to be gentler than implants or crowns because they touch so little of the tooth. Still, here is the honest picture.
Minimal-prep — light anesthesia
Larger design changes use light anesthesia. For most patients, the pinch of the injection is the discomfort they remember.
Right after bonding — brief sensitivity
Cold sensitivity for a few days is possible and usually settles on its own. If it persists, we check the cause.
If you are anxious
We explain each step before doing it, and you can raise your hand to pause at any time. The more nervous you are, the more we recommend checking your no-prep eligibility first.
By Tier
Anesthesia, provisionals & visits by tier
Your experience depends on which tier your teeth qualify for — decided with data at diagnosis.
| Criteria | No-prep | Micro-prep | Minimal-prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anesthesia | Not needed | Not needed | Light anesthesia |
| Provisionals | Not needed | Not needed | Required |
| Visits | Usually 2 | Usually 2 | Usually 2–3 |
| Discomfort | Minimal | Minimal | Controlled by anesthesia |
Anxious Moments
The moments patients worry about most
The scary parts are predictable — here is what each one is actually like.
The anesthesia injection
Needed only for minimal-prep — and topical gel goes on first to blunt the pinch itself. No-prep and micro-prep skip this moment entirely.
The sound of trimming
The tension about sound and vibration usually outweighs any actual discomfort. So little is trimmed that it is over quickly, and you can raise a hand to pause anytime.
Gagging during impressions
If you have a strong gag reflex, tell us in advance — posture adjustments and fast-setting materials make it far more manageable.
The long bonding stretch
Bonding is precision work done calmly, one tooth at a time. Nothing about it hurts — think of it as enforced rest in the chair.
Before You Start
Worth preparing before you come
None of this is required — but each item makes the consultation more concrete and the result more yours.
- A photo of the smile you want — one picture beats a vague description
- Your whitening plan — whiten first if you intend to; veneers are matched to the result
- Gum health — inflammation is treated before veneers go on
- Tell us if you grind or clench — it changes the bite design and night-guard plan
- Past dental work — root canals, resin, and crowns all affect the design
First Week
The first week after bonding
Normal life resumes the same day. Just keep these in mind for the first week.
- 01
Day one
If you had anesthesia, eat after it wears off. Avoid sticky foods (caramel, taffy) and very hard foods for the first few days.
- 02
Days 2–3
Brief cold sensitivity is a normal settling-in response and usually fades quickly.
- 03
One week
Speech and lip sensation adapt to the new contours — any strangeness typically disappears within days.
- 04
From then on
Brush and floss as usual, rinse after staining drinks — the full routine is on our lifespan & care page.
FAQ
Process & timing — FAQ
01 Can it be done in one day?
One-day veneers milled from a single ceramic block do exist, but we hold to the multilayer build-up method — several days of hand-layering four to five ceramics. The translucency and shade harmony come from exactly that time.
02 Are provisionals uncomfortable?
Provisionals are only needed for minimal-prep cases, and only for the fabrication window of several days to a week. No-prep and micro-prep cases go about life as usual with no provisionals at all.
03 What if it hurts during treatment?
Every step is explained before it happens, and raising your hand pauses everything. Anesthesia is topped up whenever needed — this is a controlled procedure, not an endured one.
04 Do more veneers mean a longer treatment?
Not by much. Even six to eight veneers usually finish within the same two to three visits — each appointment simply runs somewhat longer.
05 Can I eat on the day of bonding?
Yes — the cement reaches most of its strength immediately. Wait for anesthesia to wear off if you had any, and skip sticky or very hard foods for the first few days.
06 I am visiting from abroad — can the schedule be compressed?
Tell us your dates in advance. By combining diagnosis and preparation into one visit and scheduling fabrication tightly, we can plan the minimum number of visits together. WhatsApp consultation is available for international patients.
07 Will my speech change after veneers?
New front-tooth contours can make “s” sounds feel unfamiliar for a few days, but the tongue adapts quickly. We test speech together at try-in before bonding, so lasting speech problems are rare.
08 What if I change my mind partway?
Up to the try-in stage, shade and shape can still be revised and the plan adjusted. That is exactly why we bond only after you have fully reviewed and approved the try-in — not rushing is the rule.
09 Can treatment start on the day of the first consult?
When diagnosis and design finish the same day, preparation (if needed) can begin on day one. But shade and form decisions are never rushed — for cases that deserve thought, we recommend confirming the design and proceeding at the next visit.
10 How long does post-bonding sensitivity last?
Brief cold sensitivity for a few days is possible and usually settles within one to two weeks; no-prep and micro-prep cases rarely feel it at all. If it persists or worsens, the bite may need adjusting — come in and have it checked.
11 How far ahead should I book?
Diagnosis appointments are usually available within your preferred week. With a fixed date like a wedding, count fabrication time plus a buffer check-up and start four to six weeks out. Book by phone (+82-2-3448-0028) or KakaoTalk.
12 Why are photos taken during treatment?
They are clinical records for shade design and progress comparison — color and translucency are reproduced from records, not memory. Records are kept for care purposes only and published on our site only with separate consent.
13 How long is each visit?
The diagnosis and design visit runs about an hour depending on the examinations; the try-in and bonding visit varies with tooth count and is scheduled with room to spare. Exact times are confirmed when you book.
14 Is sedation available?
Veneers rarely need it — no-prep and micro-prep proceed without anesthesia, and even minimal-prep needs only light local anesthesia. If dental fear runs deep, tell us at consult; we start by pacing the treatment in smaller, slower steps.
This page is general information about the treatment. Diagnosis, treatment options, and duration vary by individual condition — an in-person examination is how we plan your actual care.
The more nervous you are,
the more we start with explanation
How many visits, which steps, for your teeth — find out at diagnosis.