A veneer is a thin layer of porcelain that is fitted over the front of a tooth to improve the colour, shape, position or size.

Why would I need a veneer?

This might be necessary where a tooth is discoloured or chipped, where there are gaps between your teeth or where they do not look straight. Veneers can produce dramatic improvements in appearance while very little tooth material is removed and you usually won't even need anaesthetic. 

Before treatment	After treatment

This lady wanted to improve the colour, shape and position of her upper teeth.  After tooth whitening, veneers and crowns were placed on her upper incisors and one of her canines, producing a much brighter and ideal-looking but still natural smile.

Images: J.Giddy ©2007 & 2008

Before treatment	After treatment

Here, veneers and crowns have been used to change the appearance of seriously misaligned upper incisors.  The patient did not want to undergo orthodontic treatment to correct this so a combination of crowns and veneers was the natural alternative for him.  Just four crowns and veneers were used and in conjunction with tooth whitening they have produced a brighter (but still natural-looking) and perfectly straight set of upper teeth.

Images: J.Giddy ©2007

How long does a veneer last?

A veneer should last for many years. We are so confident of the quality of our veneers that we guarantee them for 2 years.

What does a veneer cost?

Porcelain veneers cost from £540.00.

How does the dentist prepare a tooth for a veneer?

Your dentist will remove a little of the outer enamel of the tooth so that the veneer will bond securely in place. Next, your dentist will take an "impression" (ie make a mould of) your teeth and record the shade of the adjacent teeth so that the veneer is a perfect match. Only a very small amount of tooth is removed in the preparation process, so a temporary veneer probably won’t be needed while the permanent veneer is being made - you also probably won't need any anaesthetic.

What happens next?

The impression and shade information are passed to a specialist dental laboratory. Using this information, they will carefully construct the veneer to ensure that it fits in perfectly with your other teeth. About a week or two after your first appointment your dentist will see you for a second time to check that your new veneer is a good fit and that the shade is a good match for your other teeth. The veneer is then fixed in place using a special bonding agent.

Are there any alternatives to veneers?

Yes. Your dentist might be able to use a crown or a composite filling. Whether these are suitable depends on the condition of the tooth. If veneers are being considered to correct uneven teeth or teeth that do not look straight, orthodontic treatment may be an alternative: we have arrangements to refer orthodontic cases to a specialist.