The veneer consultation: what a good dentist asks you
You will have questions for your dentist. But a good cosmetic dentist will have more questions for you. Here is what to expect.
Medically reviewed by Dt. Hüseyin Yavuz Özbek, implant surgeon · Updated October 2026A careful cosmetic dentist asks what you dislike about your smile, what you want to keep, how natural or white you want your teeth, whether you grind or clench, about your gums and past dental work, and how much change you are comfortable with. They check your bite and gums and explain how much tooth would be removed. If a dentist asks you almost nothing, that is a warning sign.
Veneers change how you look for many years. A good result depends on the dentist understanding exactly what you want, and what you do not. That understanding comes from their questions. This article lists the questions you should expect, so you can recognise a careful consultation and prepare your answers.
Questions about what you want
- “What do you dislike about your smile?” Colour, gaps, chips, crooked teeth, size, the gum line.
- “What do you like and want to keep?” Many people like the shape of their teeth but not the colour.
- “How natural do you want to look?” Subtle improvement or obvious change.
- “Have you got a photo of a smile you like?” Your younger self is often the best guide.
Questions about your mouth
- “Do you grind or clench your teeth?” Grinding breaks veneers.
- “Do your gums bleed?” Gum disease must be treated first.
- “What dental work have you had?” Old crowns, root canals and fillings change the plan.
- “Do you have any pain or sensitivity?”
Questions about your life
- “Do you smoke, or drink a lot of tea, coffee or red wine?” Staining affects shade choice.
- “Do you play contact sports or bite your nails?”
- “How much time do you have in Antalya?”
What they should examine
- Your face and lips at rest and smiling: how much tooth shows.
- Your bite and how your teeth move against each other.
- Your gums: health, colour and line.
- Each tooth: strength, existing fillings, cracks, colour.
What they should explain
- Options: whitening, bonding, veneers, crowns, or a mix.
- How much tooth would be removed for each.
- The number of veneers and why.
- Material: E-max, porcelain, composite, zirconia, and why.
- The shade and what suits your face and skin.
- How long they last and the guarantee.
Read reading your treatment plan.
Red flags
- Very few questions, and a plan for 20 crowns.
- No check of your gums or bite.
- “Whiter is better.”
- No mention of how much tooth will be removed.
- No chance to see a preview. Read the trial smile.
Keeping natural tooth
The most important difference between careful and careless cosmetic dentistry is how much healthy tooth is removed. Thin veneers or bonding can often give a lovely result with little drilling. Crowns on healthy front teeth rarely need to be the first choice. Precious Dental prefers to keep a healthy tooth rather than cover it.
Prepare your answers
Before your consultation, write down what you like, dislike and want, find a photo of a smile you love, and note your dental history. See our cosmetic dentists list.
Before you go: a short self-portrait
Write a few lines about your smile before your consultation. What do you notice first in photos? What did you like about your teeth when you were younger? Is there a famous smile you like, and one you definitely do not want? This helps the dentist understand your taste, and it helps you notice if the plan drifts away from what you asked for.
Veneers, crowns or bonding
A careful dentist will talk through all three, not just the most profitable. Composite bonding adds resin to the tooth with little or no drilling and can fix chips, small gaps and shape. Laminate veneers cover the front of the tooth and need some preparation. Crowns cover the whole tooth and need the most. Each has a place. A tooth that is heavily filled or root-treated may need a crown; a healthy, slightly discoloured tooth often does not. Ask your dentist to explain the choice tooth by tooth. Read reading your treatment plan.
Grinding and night guards
Many adults grind or clench their teeth at night without knowing it. Signs include flat, worn edges, a sore jaw in the morning, and chipped fillings. Because grinding can crack veneers, a careful dentist will look for these signs and may recommend a night guard to wear after treatment. Ask whether one is included in your plan.
Gum health first
Veneers sit right at the gum line. If your gums bleed when you brush, they may be inflamed. Placing veneers on inflamed gums gives a poor fit and can lead to dark lines and recession later. Your dentist may suggest a hygienist clean before you travel, or treatment in Antalya before preparation.
How long veneers last
Ask your dentist what lifespan to expect, and what you can do to make them last: good cleaning, regular check-ups, a night guard if you grind, and not biting very hard things. At Precious Dental, laminate veneers come with a 3-year guarantee and smile makeovers with 5 years, under the conditions on our guarantee page.
Materials compared, in plain words
| Material | Typical use | Tooth removed | Things to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite bonding | Chips, small gaps, shape | Little or none | Can stain and wear; easy to repair |
| Composite veneers | Covering the front of several teeth | Little | Cheaper; less durable than ceramic |
| E-max / ceramic laminate veneers | Colour and shape change | Some, from the front | Natural look; can chip with grinding |
| Zirconia crowns | Heavily filled or broken teeth | Most, all round | Very strong; more tooth removed |
A good consultation discusses which of these fits each of your teeth, rather than one material for everything.
Questions you should ask back
- Which teeth show when I smile widely, and do all of them need treatment?
- Is any tooth too weak for a veneer and better with a crown?
- Will my gums need reshaping?
- What will my teeth look like underneath if a veneer comes off?
- How long will I need to stay, and how many appointments?
Grinding: what the NHS says
The NHS explains that teeth grinding often happens during sleep, can be linked to stress, and can cause jaw pain, headaches and worn teeth. Dentists may recommend a mouth guard. For veneers, this matters a great deal: unmanaged grinding is one of the most common reasons ceramic veneers chip. If you wake with a sore jaw, mention it.
Natural results for older patients
Many of our readers are over 50. With age, teeth tend to become a little shorter, more yellow and more worn, and gums may recede. A natural-looking result for a 60-year-old is usually not the same as for a 25-year-old. Ask your dentist for a shade and shape that refresh your smile without looking out of place. A trial smile is the best way to judge.
Who to see
Our cosmetic picks are Dt. Şeyda Yılmaz and Dt. Hüseyin Bayram. Compare them with the rest of the cosmetic dentists list, and read treatment timelines for how a veneer week usually runs.
Consultation checklist
- I explained what I like and dislike.
- My gums and bite were checked.
- I was asked about grinding.
- Options other than veneers were discussed.
- I know how many teeth and how much tooth removal.
- I know the material and the shade plan.
- I will see a preview before preparation.
Read your first consultation.
After the consultation
Before you agree to anything, go back over your notes that evening. Did the dentist’s plan match what you said you wanted? Did they explain why each tooth is included? If you feel the plan drifted towards more teeth or whiter shades than you asked for, say so at the next appointment. A careful cosmetic dentist will adjust the plan to fit you, not the other way round. Read talking about money with your dentist.
Common questions
How many veneers do I need?
That depends on how many teeth show when you smile and what you want to change. Many people need fewer than they expect. Ask your dentist to explain the number.
How much tooth is removed for a veneer?
For a thin laminate veneer, usually a small amount of the front surface. For a crown, much more, all round the tooth. Ask your dentist for your case.
Can veneers be done if I grind my teeth?
Sometimes, with a night guard. Grinding can chip or break veneers, so your dentist needs to know.
Should I choose the whitest shade?
Not necessarily. Very white teeth can look unnatural, especially on older faces. Ask your dentist what suits you.
Sources
Checked October 2026. Where we give our own view as a clinic, we say so.
Send your question to a Precious Dental dentist
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