Clinical Outcomes of No-prep Veneers and Conventional Veneers: A Systematic Review

The aim of this systematic review is to compare the survival rates and complications of no-prep veneers and conventional veneers in patients requiring esthetic correction, based on randomized clinical trials with a minimum follow-up of 2 years.

Porcelain laminate veneers have an integral component of esthetic dentistry due to their ability to reproduce the optical characteristics of natural enamel. Conventional veneer preparation, however, requires substantial enamel removal, leading to irreversible loss of tooth structure and potential pulpal or periodontal complications. The advent of no-prep veneers - ultrathin ceramic laminates bonded without tooth reduction - has aligned with biomimetic and minimally invasive dentistry principles, aiming to preserve enamel integrity while achieving superior esthetics and long-term function.

An electronic and manual search across PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, LILACS, and Google Scholar identified 375 articles, of which four met the inclusion criteria. These studies, published between 2016 and 2022, involved 126 patients and 612 veneers, with follow-up periods ranging from 2 to 9 years. The predominant complications in no-prep veneers were marginal chipping and debonding, whereas conventional veneers showed higher incidences of fractures and catastrophic failures. Reported survival rates ranged from 91 to 100% overall, with no-prep veneers demonstrating a slightly higher mean survival (97%) compared to conventional veneers (92%). Risk of bias was analyzed using the Joanna Briggs Criteria (JBI), which indicated a low risk of bias across the included studies.

Within the limitations of this review, no-prep veneers exhibited superior survival outcomes and fewer complications than conventional veneers while preserving enamel and minimizing postoperative sensitivity. They represent a reliable, minimally invasive alternative for esthetic rehabilitation.

No-prep veneers uphold the biomimetic philosophy by maintaining tooth vitality and periodontal health while delivering durable, esthetic, and conservative outcomes. Their high patient acceptance and reduced biological cost make them a preferred choice in modern restorative dentistry. How to cite this article: Hameed FFS, Rajendran MR, Kalaiselvam R, et al. Clinical Outcomes of No-prep Veneers and Conventional Veneers: A Systematic Review. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(12):1245-1251.