Cosmetic Dentistry · Led by Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie) · Last reviewed May 2026
Porcelain Veneers That Look
Like Real Teeth.
Emax Press, Emax Press Plus, Lisi and non-prep Emax, every veneer carries a 7-year material warranty and is designed digitally before any tooth is touched. Cases led by Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie) and our founding director Dr. Emily Nguyen. Digital Smile Design, iTero scans, and a physical mock-up in your mouth before the porcelain is finalised. Across six branches, two of them inside accredited hospitals.
What It Is
Same Materials. Same Protocols. Roughly One Third the Price.
Indicative single-veneer ranges for porcelain veneers (Emax or equivalent pressed lithium disilicate) in private practice. Sources: ADA, BDA and AusDent published surveys; Picasso published rate card. Your case may vary; we send a written, itemised quote within 24 hours of seeing your photographs.
| Country | Typical Porcelain Veneer (USD, per tooth) | What You'd Save |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $1,200 – $2,500 | ~70–80% |
| Australia | $1,500 – $2,800 AUD | ~70–80% |
| United Kingdom | £700 – £1,400 | ~65–75% |
| Canada | $1,200 – $2,200 CAD | ~65–75% |
| New Zealand | $1,800 – $2,800 NZD | ~70–80% |
| Picasso Dental, Vietnam | Emax to Lisi tiers, see cost guide | — |
Full itemised pricing on the cosmetic dentistry cost guide. A typical 8-veneer smile makeover in Vietnam costs less than a single front veneer in many home markets.
Why Picasso
What is a Porcelain Veneer, and Why Picasso?
A porcelain veneer is a custom-made shell of dental porcelain, 0.3–0.7mm thick, bonded to the front of a tooth to correct shape, colour, small gaps and minor misalignment. Most cases use Emax pressed lithium disilicate or Lisi premium ceramic. Once bonded, well-made porcelain veneers commonly last 10–15 years before needing replacement; long-term clinical literature reports around 94% survival at 10 years.
Designed digitally, previewed in your mouth before any tooth is touched.
Every cosmetic case begins with photographs, an iTero scan and a Digital Smile Design preview. We then produce a physical wax-up and a temporary mock-up you wear in your mouth. You see, speak and smile with the planned shape, and approve it, before a single millimetre of enamel is touched.
Minimally invasive preparation, 0.3–0.5mm, or none at all.
Emax Press veneers require only 0.3–0.5mm of enamel reduction, a fraction of what crowns or older porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations needed. Where the case allows, non-prep Emax veneers preserve all of your enamel. We do not endorse the aggressive preparation styles you sometimes see online.
Premium pressed ceramic only, with a 7-year material warranty.
The same pressed lithium disilicate and premium ceramic materials used by top cosmetic clinics in Sydney, London and Paris. Every porcelain veneer leaves Picasso with a 7-year material warranty, and we retain your digital impression files so a duplicate can be fabricated quickly if anything ever goes wrong.
iTero digital impression. Sub-30-micron accuracy, no goopy putty trays.
Final Lisi porcelain veneers. Approved on a mock-up before the porcelain was finalised.
Materials
Veneer Materials & Warranties
Four porcelain options at different price points, plus a composite alternative. Your cosmetic dentist will recommend based on tooth condition, bite, shade goals and how much enamel can be safely preserved.
| Material | Preparation | Warranty | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite Veneer | Minimal, single visit | 6 months | Entry tier · short-term solution |
| Emax Press | 0.3–0.5mm enamel | 7 years | Standard porcelain veneer · most patients |
| Emax Press Plus | 0.3–0.5mm enamel | 7 years | Improved aesthetic layering · shade-critical cases |
| Non-Prep Emax | No enamel removed | 7 years | Enamel preservation · reversible in principle |
| Lisi (GC Group, Japan) | 0.3–0.5mm enamel | 7 years | Premium showcase smile makeovers |
For itemised pricing across all five materials, see the cosmetic dentistry cost guide. Need full-coverage instead of front-surface? See porcelain crowns.
Candidates
Who Is, and Isn't, a Good Candidate?
Veneers are a cosmetic correction, not a structural one. They suit some patients beautifully and are the wrong tool for others. Here's the honest version, decided after photographs, an iTero scan and a bite assessment.
You're a strong candidate if
- You want to correct shape, colour, small gaps or minor edge irregularities on otherwise healthy front teeth.
- Your bite is stable, no significant overbite, crossbite or grinding-driven wear pattern.
- Your teeth have intact enamel for the veneer to bond to.
- Your gums are healthy, with no active periodontal disease.
- You are willing to wear a nightguard if you grind, and to attend 6-month hygiene visits.
- You have realistic expectations, veneers improve appearance, but they do not move teeth.
Veneers may not be right if
- You have moderate or severe misalignment, Invisalign or braces should come first.
- You grind or clench heavily without protection, porcelain can fracture.
- You have large existing fillings, fractures or weakened tooth structure, a crown is the correct restoration, not a veneer.
- You have active gum disease or extensive decay, both must be treated first.
- You have significant enamel loss, there may not be enough surface for reliable bonding.
- You expect veneers to function permanently with no maintenance, they will need replacement at some point in your lifetime.
If any of these apply, we'll tell you, and recommend orthodontics, crowns, whitening or treatment elsewhere if that's the right answer for you.
Process
Veneer Treatment, Step by Step
From your first photograph to your final bonded smile, exactly what to expect at each stage. Total timeline for a standard veneer case: two to three weeks across two to three visits.
Day 1 · 60 min
Consultation & Photography
Bite assessment, high-resolution clinical photographs, iTero digital scan and shade analysis. We confirm whether veneers are the right tool, or whether whitening, orthodontics or crowns would do a better job.
Day 2–3
Design & Mock-Up
Digital Smile Design preview, physical wax-up and a temporary composite mock-up placed directly on your teeth. You speak, smile and live with the planned shape before any preparation begins.
Day 7 · 90–120 min
Preparation & Scan
Minimal enamel removal (0.3–0.5mm for Emax Press; none for non-prep). Final iTero scan, temporaries fitted. The lab manufactures your veneers to digital tolerances over the following week.
Day 14 · 90 min
Bonding & Polish
Each veneer checked for fit, shade and contact, then bonded with light-cured adhesive. Final polish, occlusion check, post-bonding photographs. You leave with your new smile.
A full-arch cosmetic case approved on mock-up first, finalised in porcelain second. 11 crowns and 9 Lisi veneers, Picasso Dental HCMC Thao Dien.
Real Case
A Real Veneer Case.
A recent 20-veneer smile makeover at Picasso Dental HCMC Thao Dien, published with the patient's written consent. Material, scope and duration are documented exactly as performed.
20 Porcelain Veneers
- Material LAVA 3M (USA)
- Scope 20 veneers: 10 upper jaw + 10 lower jaw
- Duration 3 appointments, 7 days apart
- Branch Ho Chi Minh City
Before · A real Picasso patient before 10 Lisi veneers across the upper jaw.
After · The same patient after 10 Lisi veneers, designed on mock-up first.
vs Alternatives
Veneers vs the Alternatives
Veneers are not always the right answer. Here's how they compare to the procedures patients most often ask about instead.
| Treatment | What It Changes | Tooth Removed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porcelain Veneers | Shape, shade, small gaps, minor edge issues | 0–0.5mm enamel | Cosmetic correction on healthy front teeth |
| Porcelain Crown | Full coverage, rebuilds structurally compromised tooth | 1.5–2mm all sides | Broken, heavily filled or root-canalled teeth |
| Invisalign | Actual tooth position | None | Real misalignment, crowding, spacing |
| Teeth Whitening | Shade only | None | Shade-only complaints on otherwise good teeth |
| Composite Veneers | Shape and shade, single visit | Minimal | Entry-tier or short-term cosmetic correction |
Many cosmetic plans combine treatments: align with Invisalign first, then refine with a small number of veneers. We recommend after seeing your photographs and scan.
The Team
The Cosmetic Team
Veneer cases at Picasso Dental are led by Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie), our dedicated cosmetic dentist, and our founding clinical director Dr. Emily Nguyen. Smile design is a different discipline from general restorative work, your veneers are designed by someone who does this every week.
Dr. Huong Nguyen (Dr. Rosie)
Picasso's dedicated cosmetic dentist. Hanoi Medical University-trained with post-graduate training in orthodontic surgery at the Institute of Odonto-Stomatology. Focused on porcelain veneers, Digital Smile Design, Emax and Lisi veneer cases, and full smile makeovers. Veneers and table-tops are her clinical week.
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founder of the original clinic in 2013. Sets clinical standards for cosmetic case selection, preparation protocols and prosthetic delivery group-wide. Personally leads many of the larger smile-makeover cases at the Hanoi Old Quarter flagship.
Dr. Tran Thanh Phong
For cosmetic cases involving missing teeth or implant-supported crowns alongside veneers, treatment planning is coordinated with Dr. Phong. Loma Linda University-trained in advanced implantology, Nobel Biocare clinical representative in Vietnam since 2007.
Aftercare
Caring for Your Veneers, for Years
Porcelain veneers are not maintenance-free, but they are maintenance-light. With basic care, well-bonded Emax and Lisi veneers commonly last 10–15+ years before needing replacement.
Every Day · For Life
Brush, Floss, Repeat
Veneers are cared for like natural teeth. Twice-daily brushing with a soft brush, floss once daily. Porcelain itself does not stain easily, but the bond margins between veneer and tooth do.
If You Grind
Nightguard
If you grind or clench in your sleep, a nightguard is strongly recommended. Porcelain is strong but can fracture under repeated grinding force. We fabricate a custom guard at the bonding visit.
Every 6 Months
Hygiene Visit
Professional cleaning, soft tissue check, and polish of the veneer surfaces and margins. Identical to a natural-tooth check-up. Local or with us.
Years 10–15
Replacement (Eventually)
Most porcelain veneers eventually need replacement. We retain your digital impression files so a duplicate can be fabricated quickly, even years later.
What to avoid
Biting fingernails, pen caps, ice or hard objects, unkind to veneers and natural teeth alike. Unprotected grinding is the single biggest threat to veneer longevity. Heavily acidic diets (frequent citrus, fizzy drinks) can erode the bonding cement over years.
If you travel home after bonding
You leave with complete clinical records, post-bonding photographs and your iTero scan files. Your home dentist can perform hygiene visits and address any concerns, and we respond to questions over WhatsApp at any time.
Patient Stories
Veneer Patients in Their Own Words
"
I had 4 crowns and 4 veneers done with the wonderful Dr. Emily. I was so nervous about losing too much of my natural teeth, the horror stories of "peg teeth" terrified me, but she was so gentle and precise. I was amazed by how much of my natural teeth were preserved. Everything was explained clearly and thoroughly, and the turnaround time was fast, less than a week from prep to final veneers.
Earthy Acts
"
I flew from NZ to get my old crowns and veneers replaced (10 crowns, 6 veneers) that were cracking and falling. I knew the work would be extensive and I was nervous for the treatment, but Dr Emily and the team were supportive and professional every step of the way. From the care taken during the physical work to the regular check ins throughout my two weeks in Hanoi (and even once I had left the country) I felt supported and safe in their care. I couldn't be happier with the results of my new teeth.
Esta Fowler
"
I had 2 veneers done here in 2017 and my Canadian dentists still comment on how good they look. Thank you for the gift of a smile I feel proud of.
Josie Evans
Picasso Dental Hanoi Old Quarter. Where most international veneer cases are planned and finalised.
International Journey
The International Veneer Journey
Most cosmetic patients finish veneers in a single trip. Two paths depending on whether you want to start the design before you fly.
One Trip, Start to Finish.
Photographs and a video call before you fly. Everything from final design to bonding in a single 10–14 day stay.
Photographs & Video Consult
Send three smile photos over WhatsApp. Dr. Rosie reviews and replies with a recommended material, number of veneers and a written quote within 24 hours.
Scan, Design, Mock-Up
iTero scan, Digital Smile Design preview, physical wax-up, and a temporary mock-up you wear in your mouth for 24–48 hours.
Preparation & Lab Time
Minimal enamel preparation, temporaries fitted. The lab fabricates your final veneers. Time to enjoy Vietnam between visits.
Bonding & Fly Home
Each veneer checked, bonded, polished. Post-bonding photographs and your full case file (iTero scan, shade record, warranty card) before you fly.
Two Trips, For Bigger Cases.
Photographs, scan and mock-up on Trip 1. Preparation and bonding on Trip 2 once design is finalised at home.
4–5 days
Design & Mock-Up
Photographs, iTero scan, Digital Smile Design, physical wax-up. Mock-up sent home with you to live with for 4–6 weeks.
4–6 weeks
Live With the Design
Photograph yourself, ask family for opinions, request adjustments over WhatsApp. The design is locked only when you are happy.
7–10 days
Preparation & Bonding
Final iTero scan, preparation, lab time, bonding. Full case file delivered before you fly home.
Risks
Risks & Success Rates: Honestly
Veneers are a long-established cosmetic restoration, but no dental procedure is risk-free. Here is what the literature reports, what can go wrong, and how Picasso minimises every avoidable risk.
Documented Longevity
Long-term clinical studies, including Layton & Walton (2012) and Beier et al. (2012), report porcelain veneer survival around 94% at 10 years and 67% at 20 years. Most veneers eventually need replacement; few last untouched for life. Our 7-year material warranty reflects current clinical evidence.
What Can Go Wrong
Debonding (the veneer comes off the tooth, usually re-cementable). Fracture (the porcelain chips or cracks). Marginal staining (colour pickup at the bond line over years). Sensitivity (typically transient, in the weeks after preparation).
How We Minimise Risk
Conservative 0.3–0.5mm preparation only. Digital Smile Design and physical mock-up before bonding. iTero digital impressions for sub-30-micron fit. Bite assessment and nightguard recommendation for grinders. Premium pressed-ceramic materials with manufacturer documentation.
If a Veneer Fails Within Warranty
Within the 7-year warranty period and under normal use, porcelain replacement is covered. We retain your digital impression files so a duplicate can be fabricated quickly without re-scanning. Re-cementing a debonded veneer is a small lab fee.
The Irreversibility Tradeoff
Conventional Emax Press veneers require 0.3–0.5mm of enamel removal, that enamel does not regrow. Once you commit, the tooth will always need a veneer or crown to seal the prepared surface. Non-prep Emax veneers preserve all enamel and are reversible in principle.
What We Will Say No To
If your case really needs orthodontics, a crown, or whitening rather than veneers, we will say so, even if it loses us the immediate work. Veneers placed on the wrong patient look beautiful for a year and fail expensively after that. We are not interested in that outcome.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do porcelain veneers last?
Emax Press, Emax Press Plus, Lisi and non-prep Emax veneers all carry a 7-year material warranty at Picasso. With good hygiene, regular check-ups and a nightguard if you grind, well-bonded porcelain veneers commonly last 10–15+ years before needing replacement.
How many veneers do I need?
It depends what you want to change. Smile makeovers often involve 6, 8 or 10 veneers across the upper front teeth so the final result blends. For correcting a single chipped or discoloured tooth, one veneer can be enough, though shade-matching one veneer to natural neighbours is sometimes harder than doing several.
Will my real tooth be ground down?
For Emax Press, we remove 0.3–0.5mm of enamel from the front and edge of the tooth, a fraction of what crowns require. For non-prep Emax, we remove no enamel at all. We do not endorse the more aggressive preparation styles you sometimes see online.
Will I see the result before bonding?
Yes, twice. Once digitally as a Digital Smile Design preview, and again as a physical mock-up worn in your mouth before any tooth preparation. We adjust shape, length and edge profile based on your feedback before the porcelain is finalised.
Should I whiten my teeth before veneers?
Often yes. Veneer porcelain does not change colour, so the shade of your other teeth sets the limit on how bright your veneers can naturally blend. We sequence whitening before the final shade decision so your veneers match a stable, brighter baseline.
Veneers, crowns or Invisalign, which do I need?
Veneers correct shape, shade and minor positioning, they are cosmetic. Crowns are full-coverage and used when a tooth is structurally compromised. Invisalign moves the actual position of teeth and is the right tool for real misalignment. Many cosmetic plans combine them: align first with Invisalign, then refine with a small number of veneers.
Will veneers stain?
Porcelain veneers (Emax, Lisi) resist staining far better than natural teeth, the surface is glazed ceramic. Composite veneers stain similarly to natural teeth and need polishing or replacement sooner. The bond margin between any veneer and the tooth can pick up colour over years, which is one reason hygiene visits matter.
Are veneers reversible?
Non-prep veneers are reversible in principle since no enamel is removed. Conventional Emax Press veneers are not strictly reversible, the small amount of enamel removed does not regrow. Once you commit to prepared veneers, the tooth will always need a veneer or crown to seal the prepared surface.
Are veneers painful?
The preparation visit is performed under local anaesthetic for Emax Press cases; you feel pressure, not pain. Non-prep veneers require no anaesthetic at all. Most patients describe the post-preparation experience as mild sensitivity for a few days, managed with over-the-counter pain relief. The bonding visit itself is painless.
What is the difference between Emax and Lisi?
Both are pressed lithium disilicate veneer materials with similar strength and a 7-year warranty. Lisi (GC Group, Japan) offers a step up in optical layering and is our choice for showcase smile makeovers where every nuance of translucency and surface texture matters. Emax Press is our standard, chosen by most patients.
Can I get veneers as an international patient?
Yes. Most cases finish in two to three clinic visits within roughly two weeks, which fits a single dental tourism trip. We plan the case digitally before you fly, so the wax-up, mock-up and impressions can be sequenced into your stay. See our international patient guide for details.
What happens if a veneer chips or comes off?
Within the 7-year warranty period and under normal use, replacement is covered. If a veneer fractures, we make and bond a replacement. We retain your digital records so a duplicate can be fabricated quickly. Re-cementing a debonded porcelain veneer is quoted as a small lab fee, see the cosmetic dentistry cost guide.
Pricing
Itemised Veneer Pricing
For published rate cards across all five materials, plus inlays, onlays and full smile-makeover packages, see the dedicated cosmetic dentistry cost guide. Per-veneer pricing ranges from 3,000,000 VND (composite) to 12,000,000 VND (Lisi premium).
See the Cosmetic Dentistry Cost Guide →
Looking for full-arch smile design? See smile makeover or Hollywood smile.
Patient Video Testimonial
Start Here
Send Three Photos of Your Smile.
Get a Written Veneer Plan in 24 Hours.
Three photos and a sentence about what you'd like to change is enough to start. Dr. Rosie reviews every cosmetic request personally and replies with a recommended material, the number of veneers, a treatment timeline and a written, itemised quote, at no cost and with no obligation. Most international patients hear back within a few hours.
Free · No obligation · Replies from a licensed dentist, not a bot · Since 2013