Published September 2026

1 of 5A front tooth is darker than its neighbors, or a little chipped
  1. A front tooth is darker than its neighbors, or a little chipped
  2. A whisper of enamel is smoothed from the front face
  3. A scan goes to the lab and a thin shell is made to fit
  4. The shell is bonded to the front of the tooth and set with a light
  5. Shape and color corrected. The tooth behind the shell stays whole

Who usually does it

general dentist. Done in general and cosmetic offices; a prosthodontist for full smile makeovers.

One question worth asking

How much of my own tooth is removed for this?

Resin veneer, done in the office

Whitening and cosmeticCosmeticD2960

D2960. Resin is sculpted directly onto the tooth in one visit; the least costly veneer.

A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or resin bonded to the front of a tooth to change its color, shape or size. Codes differ by material and by whether it is made in the office or in a lab.

The front of the tooth is usually trimmed a little, an impression or scan is taken, and a thin shell is bonded on at a second visit. Chairside versions are built up in resin in one sitting. Codes divide by material and by whether the veneer is made in the office or in a lab. Because enamel is removed, a veneer is a long-term commitment rather than something that can be undone. Most plans file this as Cosmetic. What they actually pay varies by plan.

Resin veneer, done in the office (D2960): what happens, step by step | TruthMolar