Prepless Veneers With CAD/CAM: A Overview to Ultra-Thin, High-Aesthetic Ceramic Veneers
Prepless and minimally prepared veneers continue to grow in popularity as more patients seek conservative, highly aesthetic treatments. One of the most common questions I hear while teaching across the country is:
“Can you really do prepless veneers with CEREC?”
The short answer: Yes—if you follow proper case selection, design principles, milling strategy, and finishing techniques.
This guide walks through a real case involving peg laterals on a young patient whose parent requested no preparation. I’ll share the full digital workflow, the milling parameters I use, and the exact finishing steps that allow you to create ultra-thin, contact-lens veneers that blend seamlessly and bond predictably to enamel.
Case Overview: Peg Laterals and a No-Prep Requirement
Our patient was a young man with peg lateral incisors. His mother was clear—she did not want any tooth reduction. Fortunately, the soft tissue health and tooth position made him a good candidate for a prepless veneer approach.
We began with a digital mockup to preview the final esthetics. Once printed and tested, the family felt confident moving forward with treatment.
Digital Workflow: PrimeScan → DS Core → Exocad
One of the benefits of integrating PrimeScan, DS Core, and Exocad is the ability to work seamlessly—even while traveling, and from office to office. I designed much of this case while on the road.
1. Scan & Upload
PrimeScan acquisition
Automatic upload to DS Core
Imported directly into Exocad
2. Design the Mockup
We created and test-fit the mockup before finalizing the plan.
3. Final No-Prep Design
Because there was zero reduction, final veneers were designed by overlaying the mockup onto the pre-op scans, ensuring ideal contours and natural emergence.
Why 5-Axis Milling Makes Thin Veneers More Predictable
Back at my home digital studio in Idaho, I loaded the case into a PM7 five-axis mill. While four-axis mills (PrimeMill, MCXL) can handle veneers, they have limitations for thin margins and lingual wraparounds.
Benefits of 5-Axis Milling
No internal overmill
Smooth lingual and incisal wrap
Cleaner margins at ultra-thin thicknesses
Ability to mill extremely thin interproximal extensions
Greater control of sprue placement and draw
In this case, each veneer milled in about 20 minutes. With the PM7’s holder capacity, you can mill full anterior or full-arch cases overnight—up to 48 restorations while you sleep.
AI-Assisted CAM Strategies
The most recent CAM software includes AI features that:
choose ideal sprue angles
identify the best insertion path
optimize tool strategies for smooth margins
minimize ceramic stress during milling
This results in a more predictable veneer milling experience.
Finishing Workflow: Creating Ultra-Thin, Natural, High-Strength Veneers
After milling, the restorations go through precise separation, shaping, texturing, glazing, and final refinement. Here is the exact process I use.
1. Safe Separation and Margin Protection
Using the Meisinger JKO3 kit:
Outline and separate the sprue with the diamond separator
Protect fragile margins (200–300 µm)
Avoid heat buildup
Support the veneer to prevent fracture or “fly-offs”
These diamonds remove ceramic efficiently while remaining gentle on margins.
2. Pre-Crystallization Shaping & Natural Anatomy
Using the green coarse knife-edge wheel:
Refine form
Add primary and secondary anatomy
Perform controlled micro-texturing
Maintain margin thickness before crystallization
“Scribe and scrub” texturing produces natural, lifelike enamel patterns.
3. Object Fix Flow for Firing
Ivoclar’s Object Fix Flow:
Supports delicate margins
Prevents distortion
Easily adapts into tight areas
Cleans easily with a microbrush
Important when dealing with thin prepless veneers.
4. MiYO 850: One-Step Glaze + Characterization
MiYO 850 allows glaze and characterization in one firing, perfect for ultra-thin veneers.
Applications include:
“Smoke” for low-value incisal depth
“Storm” for incisal character
Halo effects for youthful luminosity
Snow and Lumen for enamel enhancement
All layers can be applied before a single crystallization cycle.
Firing and Post-Crystallization Refinement
Firing was completed in the Ivoclar Programat P550, a precise, self-calibrating furnace ideal for delicate ceramics.
After firing:
Margins measured ~100–120 µm
Midbody thickness around 300 µm
Beautiful incisal translucency developed
Post-Firing Thinning Technique
Using:
Green coarse wheel → thin margins
Blue twist wheel → matte blending
Pink twist wheel → natural luster
The goal is a contact-lens effect where the margin visually disappears against enamel.
The PM7’s 5-axis precision created paper-thin interproximal extensions—something that would have shown internal overmill on a 4-axis mill.
Recommended Milling Parameters for Prepless Veneers
4-Axis (MCXL / PrimeMill)
Extra Fine Mill
Minimal thickness: 300 µm
Margin parameter: 50 µm
Some internal overmill expected
Lingual wrap is limited without prep
5-Axis (PM7)
Minimal thickness: 200 µm
Margin parameter: 30 µm
No internal overmill
Ideal for prepless veneers
Cleaner anatomy and better wraparound
Final Result: Ultra-Thin, Natural, Prepless Veneers
The peg laterals were restored using two ultra-thin e.max veneers that:
wrapped smoothly around the incisal edges
blended beautifully with enamel
exhibited natural halo and translucency
bonded predictably
met the patient’s and parent’s esthetic goals
The patient was thrilled—and so was the referring doctor.
Can You Do Prepless Veneers With CEREC?
Yes—if you follow the right digital, milling, and finishing protocols.
Prepless veneers demand:
✔ Correct case selection
✔ A clean digital mockup
✔ Extra-fine milling
✔ Proper characterization
✔ Post-firing margin thinning
✔ Bonding to enamel
Executed correctly, these veneers are strong, beautiful, and extremely conservative.
Want to Learn These Techniques Step-by-Step?
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