Dental Veneers

What is a Veneer?

A veneer is a thin layer of Porcelain made to fit over the front surface of a tooth, like a false fingernail fits over a nail. 

When would I need a Veneer?

Veneers can improve the colour, shape and position of your teeth. A precise shade of porcelain can be chosen to give the right colour to improve a single discoloured or stained tooth or to lighten front teeth generally. A veneer can make a chipped tooth look intact again. The porcelain covers the whole of the front of the tooth with a thicker section replacing the broken part. Veneers can also be used to close small gaps, when orthodontics (braces) are not suitable.

What are the advantages of a veneer?

Veneers make teeth look natural and healthy. Because they are very thin and are held in place by a special strong bond (rather like super-glue) very little preparation of the tooth is needed.

How are teeth prepared for a veneer?

Some of the shiny outer enamel surface of the tooth may be removed, to make sure that the veneer can be bonded permanently in place later. The amount of enamel removed is tiny and will be the same as the thickness of the veneer to be fitted, so that the tooth stays the same size. A local anaesthetic may be used to make sure that there is no discomfort, but often this is not necessary. Once the tooth has been prepared, the dentist will take an impression (mould). This will be given to the dental lab to make the veneer. The colour of the surrounding teeth is matched on a shade guide to make sure that the veneer will look entirely natural.

How long will it take?

In the majority of cases two visits, the first to prepare the tooth and matchj the shade, and the second to fit it.

Cost:

Porcelain veneers start at £450 per tooth. For patients where large numbers of veneers are required  the cost per tooth may be reduced, please contact us for more information.

Please take a look at our case studies page for before and after pictures.

For further information please contact us