Clinical Performance Comparison of Prepless and Minimally Invasive Ceramic Laminate Veneer Restorations: A Prospective Clinical Study

Introduction Ceramic laminate veneers (CLVs) play a vital role in esthetic dentistry; however, the impact of preparation design on clinical outcomes remains inconclusive. Objectives This prospective clinical study evaluated the clinical success of CLV restorations fabricated with different preparation techniques. Methods CLVs ( N = 110; 55 minimally invasive, 55 prepless) were placed in 12 patients (7 female and 5 male). After 1 year, restorations were assessed via United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. Chewing pressure was measured; restorations were checked for fractures, cracks, or debonding. Periodontal health was evaluated by probing depths; patient satisfaction was recorded using the Visual Analog Scale ( VAS) . Statistical analysis used chi‐square and Mann–Whitney U tests ( p < 0.05). Results No significant differences were observed in adaptation, color, form, or roughness ( p > 0.05). Fractures were observed in 0% and 9.1% ( n = 5), debonding in 0% and 1.8% ( n = 1), and cracks in 3.6% ( n = 2) and 0% of the minimally invasive and prepless groups, respectively. Fracture incidence differed significantly ( p = 0.022). Chewing force showed no correlation with complications. Pocket depth changes were nonsignificant, and patient satisfaction was higher in the prepless group (median VAS = 10) than in the minimally invasive group (median = 9; p < 0.001). Conclusions Preparation type did not significantly affect esthetic or periodontal outcomes after 1 year. Complications were more common in prepless veneers, suggesting minimal prep might improve stability. Chewing forces did not significantly impact performance, indicating functional loads do not damage veneers. Clinical Significance Both minimally invasive and prepless CLVs yield positive short‐term outcomes. Yet, proper case selection and occlusal management are essential to prevent complications and secure long‐term success.