Published September 2026
- A front tooth is darker than its neighbors, or a little chipped
- A whisper of enamel is smoothed from the front face
- A scan goes to the lab and a thin shell is made to fit
- The shell is bonded to the front of the tooth and set with a light
- 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?
Veneer repair
D2983. Repairs a chipped veneer instead of replacing it.
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.
Codes for this
Upload it or type the lines. We read it and show what happened to other patients. Free, no account.
No dental office can pay to change what we show you.