See our 1165 Reviews on
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells designed to cover the front surface of teeth, enhancing their appearance. This guide provides a step-by-step overview of the veneers process, addressing common concerns such as pain, cost, and longevity. Whether you’re considering veneers for cosmetic reasons or to address dental issues, understanding the veneers process can help set realistic expectations.
Dental veneers, available in porcelain and composite options, play a significant role in cosmetic dentistry. Porcelain veneers are known for their durability and natural appearance, while composite veneers also look great, as well as offering a more affordable alternative. Veneers improve the appearance and function of teeth by covering imperfections such as chips, cracks, and discolouration. Veneers can camouflage cosmetic flaws and enhance the overall smile. A more balanced smile without imperfections is achieved.
Initial Consultation & Dental Assessment
The journey to getting veneers starts with an initial consultation. Dentists assess suitability for veneers by blending a patients expectations together with their own experience in cosmetic dentistry and sound clinical principles. This consultation typically involves a full examination including taking x-rays and digitally scanning the teeth. An initial smile design can often be done on this consultation appointment and the patient is able to see a picture of themselves as they are without veneers and as they are with veneers. This helps the patient decide if veneers is right for them. Veneers are almost always a suitable treatment for patients, but sometimes work is needed first, such as fixing cavities, or straightening the teeth. If veneers aren’t suitable, potential alternatives such as crowns or bonding may be discussed. During the consultation, the dentist will also evaluate the patient’s oral health to ensure there are no underlying issues that need to be addressed before proceeding with veneers.
Smile Design
Once the decision has been made by both patient and cosmetic dentist to place veneers, a final smile design is completed. The smile designer in the dental laboratory will digitally create the smile and check that it will look good for the patient. Every smile design is bespoke and tailored to the individual.
The patient will discuss the design with the cosmetic dentist and sometimes it may be necessary to ‘try on’ the new smile before signing off on the design.
Once the decision to place veneers has been made, and the smile design signed off, it’s time to prepare the teeth.
There is little to no tooth preparation for composite veneers but with porcelain veneers a small amount of tooth preparation IS needed.
Composite veneers do not require temporising, so this means that they can be placed in one single appointment without the need to go away wearing temporary veneers while the final ones are made by the lab designer. The latter is a condition of porcelain veneers and thus requires a ‘preparation’ appointment and a ‘fit’ appointment.
Tooth Preparation: For porcelain veneers Dentists typically remove a thin layer of enamel to ensure veneers fit naturally and do not add bulk to the teeth. Minimally invasive options may require little to no enamel removal. The emphasis is strictly on ‘minimal’ here. Preservation of the tough outer enamel surface of the teeth is key to establishing both a healthy smile and a great looking smile.
Digital Scan: Once teeth are prepped for veneers, the dentist will create an image using a digital scanner. This image is then sent to a dental laboratory for custom veneer fabrication.
Temporary Veneers: Patients may receive temporary veneers while their permanent ones are being created. These protect the teeth and provide a preview of the final look. Typically the temporary veneers are worn for two weeks although sometimes there is the option of reducing this to a few days.
Use of Anaesthesia: While veneer preparation is generally painless, dentists may use a local anaesthetic for patient comfort, especially if enamel contouring is required.
Importance of Precision: The preparation process ensures that veneers bond securely to the teeth without affecting bite alignment. Good preparation also ensures the veneers and teeth remain healthy for many years to come.
Digital scans are sent to a dental lab where custom-made porcelain veneers are created. Porcelain veneers are known for their durability and natural look, while composite veneers are more affordable but may not last as long.
When placing porcelain veneers the first step is to remove the temporary veneers. The final veneers are checked against the smile design, and tried on the teeth. Both patient and dentist will look at the tried on veneers before beginning the bonding process. This process involves cleaning and using adhesives to securely bond the veneers to the teeth. Dentists ensure a proper fit and make final adjustments, before discussing aftercare answering any questions. A final check is sometimes made on a separate appointment.
Composite veneers are bonded to the teeth in a similar way to porcelain veneers, except that they do not need to be made by the laboratory. So the technique for their placement is also slightly different. A ‘stent’ or ‘gum shield’ is often used into which the composite material is placed. The composite then hardens using a blue light before the ‘stent’ is removed leaving behind a shiny new smile. Composite requires polishing and this is completed before sitting the patient up and going through aftercare instructions.
Composite veneers can also be placed directly by the dentist without the need for a ‘splint’, however the rest of the process is exactly the same.
Maintaining veneers involves regular dental hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing. Common issues like staining and chipping can be prevented with proper care. Porcelain veneers typically last 12-15 years, after which replacements may be needed and composite veneers typically last 5-8 years before adjustments or replacements are needed.
Does getting veneers hurt? The procedure is generally painless, though some mild discomfort may occur.
How long do veneers last? Porcelein veneers can last 10-15 years with proper care. Whilst composite veneers can last 5-8 years.
Can veneers be removed? Porcelein veneers are permanent and cannot be removed without replacing them, whereas composite veneers can in theory be removed leaving you with your original pre veneer smile.
Are veneers covered by insurance? Most insurance plans do not cover cosmetic procedures like veneers.
What’s the difference between porcelain and composite veneers? Porcelain veneers are more durable and natural-looking, while composite veneers are more affordable but may not last as long.
Get in Touch
So what are the key takeaways?
Dental veneers are custom-made shells that enhance the appearance of teeth by covering imperfections. The process starts with an initial consultation to assess suitability, followed by tooth preparation if having porcelain veneers and impression-taking/scanning. Temporary veneers may be provided while permanent ones are created. The bonding process secures the veneers to the teeth, with final adjustments ensuring a perfect fit. Regular dental hygiene practices are essential for maintaining veneers, which typically last 10-15 years for porcelain and 5-8 years for composite.
Interested in exploring how veneers could help transform your smile? Book a consultation with one of our experts today.
Bamboo Dental, 28 Cowbridge Road West, Cardiff, Glamorgan, CF5 5BS. Telephone 02920 569769. Bamboo Shift LTD trading as Bamboo Dental is a credit broker not a lender and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, 964602. Registered in England & Wales 10561896. Registered Address: 28 Cowbridge Road West, Cardiff, Glamorgan, CF5 5BS.
Where required by law, loans will be regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Consumer Credit Act 1974.
Medenta Finance Limited, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority No: 715523. Registered in Scotland, No: SC276679. Registered address: 50 Lothian Road, Festival Square, Edinburgh, EH3 9WJ. Tel: 01691 684175. Medenta act as a credit broker, not the lender and will introduce businesses to V12 Retail Finance Limited for which they will receive a commission. The amount of commission will vary depending on the product chosen and amount borrowed.
V12 Retail Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration number:679653. Registered office: Yorke House, Arleston Way, Solihull, B90 4LH. Correspondence address: 25-26 Neptune Court, Vanguard Way, Cardiff, CF24 5PJ. V12 Retail Finance Limited act as a credit broker, not a lender, and only offers credit products from Secure Trust Bank PLC for which they will receive a commission, the amount will vary depending on the amount of credit taken out but will not vary depending on the product chosen. Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Registration number: 204550. Registered office: Yorke House, Arleston Way, Solihull, B90 4LH.
Terms and conditions apply. Written quotations are available on request from Secure Trust Bank PLC. Credit facilities are subject to status and affordability checks and only available to UK residents over the age of 18. Secure Trust Bank PLC reserves the right to decline any application. APR and repayment details are correct at time of publish.
Telephone calls are recorded for training and compliance purposes.
Website by GreyPhox Digital
