Porcelain veneers in Busan
A veneer is a thin porcelain or composite shell bonded to the front of a tooth to change its shape, colour or alignment. At Dr. Oh's Dental Clinic in Haeundae, Busan, porcelain veneers usually take two to three visits over two to three weeks, following a design discussion and shade matching.
What veneers can change
- Discolouration that whitening cannot lift
- Chipped or worn edges on front teeth
- Small gaps between teeth
- Teeth that are slightly rotated or uneven in shape
What veneers do not do is correct a bite or move teeth. Using veneers to disguise significant crowding means removing sound tooth structure to fake an alignment that orthodontics would produce properly. Where that is the case, we will say so, even though the orthodontic route takes longer.
Porcelain or composite?
| Porcelain | Composite | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Highly natural, resists staining | Good, stains gradually |
| Visits | 2–3 over 2–3 weeks | Often 1 |
| Longevity | 10–15 years typical | 4–8 years typical |
| Tooth preparation | Minimal but usually irreversible | Minimal, sometimes none |
| Repairability | Usually replaced if damaged | Can be repaired directly |
The design conversation is the important part
Most disappointment with veneers comes from a mismatch of expectation, not from technical failure. Before anything is prepared we discuss shade, length, edge shape and how much you want the result to read as 'natural' versus 'obviously improved'. Photographs and a trial mock-up let you see the proposal on your own face before committing.
We will also be direct about shade. Very bright shades photograph well and look artificial in ordinary light, particularly against the surrounding teeth if only some are being treated.
Living with veneers
Veneers are strong in normal function but not indestructible. Biting fingernails, opening packaging with your teeth and grinding at night are the common causes of failure. If you grind, a night guard is part of the treatment, not an optional extra. The gum margin also needs careful cleaning, as decay at the edge of a veneer is the other main long-term risk.
Frequently asked questions
Do veneers ruin your natural teeth?
Porcelain veneers usually require removing a thin layer of enamel, which does not grow back — so the tooth will always need a veneer or crown from then on. Some cases can be treated with minimal or no preparation. We will tell you which category yours falls into before you decide.
How many veneers do I need?
It depends on how many teeth show when you smile, which varies from person to person. Treating a smaller number and matching them well is often better than treating a full arch. We assess this from photographs at the consultation rather than starting from a fixed number.
Are veneers covered by Korean health insurance?
No. Veneers are cosmetic and are paid privately by all patients, Korean or foreign. You receive a written estimate before treatment and an itemised receipt afterwards.
Should I whiten before getting veneers?
Yes, if you are only veneering some teeth. Porcelain does not change colour, so the untreated teeth should be at their final shade before the veneers are matched to them. We plan the sequence at the consultation.