Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers in Crewe
A porcelain veneer is a thin shell made to fit over the front of a tooth. It can change the tooth's colour, shape or appearance.
Veneers start from £650 per tooth. Porcelain resists staining and is matched to the teeth beside it. A thin layer of enamel is usually removed first, and enamel does not grow back, so this is a decision to be sure about.
What they are for
What porcelain veneers can fix
Veneers are mostly used on the front teeth.
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Discolouration
A veneer covers discolouration that has not responded to whitening.
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Chips and worn edges
Front teeth that have chipped, or that have worn short and uneven over the years.
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Small gaps
A gap between the front teeth can be closed by making the teeth either side slightly wider.
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Teeth slightly out of line
One tooth sitting forward or turned a little can be brought into line with the others visually.
If your teeth are quite crooked, straightening is usually the better route, and your dentist will say so. A tooth that is badly broken down usually needs rebuilding rather than covering.
What happens
Usually two or three visits
Porcelain veneers are made for you in a laboratory, so there is a wait in the middle while that happens.
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Talking it through
You say what you would like to change, and your dentist says what veneers would do for your teeth and whether another treatment would suit you better. No teeth are prepared at this visit, so you can take time to decide.
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Preparing the teeth
Where enamel needs removing, your dentist does this under local anaesthetic, then takes a scan or impression and agrees the shade with you.
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Temporaries while you wait
Prepared teeth are usually covered with temporary veneers while the laboratory makes the final ones. They look and feel different from the finished veneers.
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Fitting
You see them before anything is fixed. Once you are happy with the look, your dentist bonds them on and polishes the edges.
The try-in is the time to ask for changes to the shape or shade. Once a veneer is bonded, bigger changes mean remaking it.
The other option
Veneers or bonding
Veneers and bonding differ in preparation, cost, staining and repair.
Porcelain veneers
Porcelain veneers
- Made in a laboratory, so two or three visits
- Enamel is removed, which cannot be undone
- Porcelain resists staining better than composite
Composite bonding
Composite bonding
- Built up by hand in the chair, often in one visit
- Little or no enamel removed in many cases
- Picks up stain over the years, so it needs polishing
- Cost is confirmed after an assessment
- Chips can usually be repaired rather than redone
Your dentist will check it suits you at the assessment, and results vary from person to person.
Common questions
Porcelain veneer questions
How much are veneers?
Veneers start from £650 per tooth. Your written plan will show the number recommended and the total cost.
How long do they last?
Veneers can last many years, but their lifespan varies with your bite, grinding and daily care. Keep brushing and attending check-ups to care for the teeth underneath.
Does having them done hurt?
The teeth are numbed with local anaesthetic before any enamel is removed. Teeth may be sensitive afterwards, particularly before the final veneers are fitted.
Will they look false?
Your dentist will help you choose a suitable shade and shape. You can review the veneers at the try-in before they are bonded.
Can I have just one?
Yes, if the tooth suits it. Matching one veneer to the teeth beside it takes careful shade selection, so expect extra attention to colour at the try-in.
What if one chips or comes off?
Ring us. A veneer that has come off whole can sometimes be bonded back on. A chipped one usually has to be remade, which means the lab stage again and another fee.
Ask what veneers would mean for you
Book an assessment to find out whether veneers suit your teeth, how many you would need and the total cost. Then take your time to decide.
