Update to Preparation Design and Clinical Concepts Using the LeSage Veneer Classification System

Abstract

Historically, preparations for ceramic veneers have varied from extremely aggressive to a minimal reduction or a lack of preparation. The concept of no-preparation or minimal-preparation veneers is nearly 40 years old. The trend in dentistry today is toward minimally invasive dentistry with the philosophy that less is more. It is no longer acceptable to over-prepare teeth for convenience or lack of understanding of alternative treatments. In recent years, laboratory techniques have evolved to produce ultrathin ceramic veneers, which has increased the popularity of ``no-prep'' veneers. This so-called ``no-prep'' approach has been described for more than 10 years in the literature and ideologically reiterates the methodologies of when veneers were first introduced as conservative, additive restorative procedures for which slight or no preparations were required. However, these days, it is no longer acceptable to limit veneer descriptions to no-prep or conventional all-ceramic designs.