Veneers are often described as a quick route to a perfect smile, but they are a serious dental treatment with lasting consequences. This article explains what dental veneers are, the different types, how the process works and what to weigh up before deciding. It is part of our guide to teeth whitening and cosmetic dentistry.
What is a veneer?
A veneer is a thin shell of tooth-coloured material fixed to the front of a tooth. It can change the colour, shape, length or surface of the tooth and can mask small gaps, chips and some minor misalignment. Unlike a crown, which covers the whole tooth, a veneer covers mainly the front surface.
Types of veneers
Porcelain (ceramic) veneers
Made in a laboratory or milled in the practice, then bonded to the tooth. They resist staining well, look natural and are durable. They normally require removing a thin layer of enamel, which cannot be put back.
Composite veneers
Built up directly on the tooth in the chair using tooth-coloured resin, or made indirectly. They usually need less tooth removal and cost less. They are easier to repair but tend to stain, chip and wear sooner than porcelain.
Minimal-preparation (no-prep) veneers
Very thin veneers that need little or no enamel removal. They suit only certain cases, and may look bulky if teeth need larger changes. Ask whether your teeth are suitable.
Who might be suitable?
Veneers can be considered for teeth that are stained in a way whitening cannot fix, chipped, worn, slightly misshapen, or have small gaps. They need healthy teeth and gums with enough enamel to bond to. Your dentist should treat decay and gum disease first, and compare veneers with simpler options such as whitening, bonding or orthodontic treatment.
Who might not be suitable?
- People with untreated decay or gum disease
- People who grind or clench heavily, since veneers can chip or detach unless a night guard is worn
- Those with very little enamel or badly damaged teeth, who may need crowns instead
- People with significant crowding or bite problems that need orthodontics first
- Anyone unprepared for the long-term commitment of replacement and maintenance
The process, step by step
- Consultation. The dentist examines your teeth and gums, takes X-rays, discusses your goals and explains the options and costs. Ask to see a mock-up or digital preview if offered, and treat it as a guide, not a guarantee.
- Preparation. Under local anaesthetic, a thin layer of enamel is usually removed, often about half a millimetre, though it varies. This makes room so the veneer does not look bulky.
- Impressions or scans. A record of your teeth is sent to a laboratory or used to mill the veneers in the practice.
- Temporary veneers. If your veneers are made in a laboratory, temporaries may be fitted while you wait, typically for a week or two.
- Fitting. The dentist checks fit, shape and colour, cleans the tooth, and bonds each veneer with a special cement hardened with a light.
- Review. The dentist checks your bite and may arrange a follow-up visit.
Risks and drawbacks
- Irreversibility: once enamel is removed, you will always need some form of restoration on that tooth.
- Sensitivity: teeth can feel sensitive to hot and cold, especially at first.
- Chipping or detaching: veneers can chip, crack or come off, particularly with grinding or biting hard objects.
- Decay at the edges: decay can still develop where the veneer meets the tooth if cleaning is poor.
- Colour mismatch: veneers do not whiten, so if you want whiter natural teeth, whiten them before choosing the veneer shade.
- Replacement costs: veneers do not last forever and will need replacing eventually, which adds long-term cost.
Caring for your veneers
- Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush, and clean between your teeth daily. See how to brush your teeth properly and how to floss correctly.
- Avoid biting hard objects, such as ice, pens and fingernails, and avoid opening packets with your teeth.
- Wear a night guard if you grind your teeth.
- Attend regular check-ups so your dentist can check the edges and bond.
- Limit staining of any natural teeth and composite material by cutting down on tobacco, coffee and red wine.
How long do veneers last?
There is no guarantee. Porcelain veneers can last many years when well made and well cared for, and composite veneers generally have a shorter lifespan. Longevity depends on your bite, habits, oral hygiene and the skill of the dentist.
Questions to ask your dentist
- Are veneers the least invasive way to achieve what I want?
- How much of my tooth will be removed?
- Which material do you recommend for me, and why?
- How many teeth should be treated for a balanced result?
- What are the total costs, including future replacements and a night guard?
- What happens if a veneer chips or comes off?
For a general question about cosmetic options, you can contact us. For advice about your own teeth, see your dentist.
Sources
- American Dental Association, MouthHealthy: all topics A-Z
- NHS, Dental treatments
- US National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Health information
