Treatment

Dental veneers

A veneer is a thin shell bonded to the front of a tooth to change its colour, shape or width. They suit front teeth that are discoloured, chipped or slightly uneven, and they are the standard answer for teeth that stay dark after whitening, because whitening works on stains within enamel and cannot lift discolouration that comes from inside the tooth. Veneers are not a substitute for orthodontics. If teeth are genuinely out of position, straightening them first means far less healthy tooth has to be removed to make the veneers sit flat. That matters because veneer preparation is irreversible: once enamel is reduced, the tooth will always need a veneer or crown on it. Composite veneers are built up directly in the mouth in one visit; porcelain is made in a laboratory, lasts longer and resists staining better.

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Binaya Bhandari, Owner and Dental Surgeon, NMC 20701. Last updated 16 August 2026.

Dentist matching a tooth shade guide against a smiling patient's front teeth before veneers — The shade is matched to your own teeth before anything is made.

When do you need this treatment?

Front teeth that stay discoloured after whitening
A chipped or worn edge on a front tooth
Small gaps between the front teeth
Teeth that are slightly uneven in shape or width

What happens during your visit?

1Discussion of the shape and shade you want, with photographs
2Minimal preparation of the tooth surface
3Impressions, then a temporary veneer while the permanent one is made
4Bonding, and a check on how it looks and bites

What happens if you leave it untreated?

Nothing medical gets worse by declining veneers, since this is a cosmetic treatment. A chipped edge is worth reviewing though, because a chip that keeps propagating can eventually reach the nerve and turn a cosmetic problem into a restorative one.

What is recovery like?

No real recovery. Teeth are commonly sensitive to cold for a few days after preparation and again after bonding. Avoid biting directly into hard food with veneered front teeth, and if you grind at night, a guard protects them.

General guidance only. Your own recovery depends on your case, and the dentist treating you will tell you what to expect.

Questions you might have

Dental Veneers

Do veneers ruin your natural teeth?

Preparation removes a thin layer of enamel and that cannot be undone, so the tooth will always need a veneer or crown afterwards. The amount removed is small, and less again if the teeth are aligned first, but it is a permanent commitment rather than a reversible one.

Porcelain or composite veneers?

Composite is built up in one visit, costs less and is repairable, but stains and wears faster. Porcelain is laboratory-made over two visits, resists staining and lasts considerably longer. The choice usually comes down to budget and how many teeth are involved.

How long do veneers last?

Porcelain veneers commonly last many years with good cleaning and no grinding; composite typically needs refreshing sooner. The most common reasons for failure are grinding, biting hard objects, and gum recession exposing the margin, all of which are partly within your control.

How much do veneers cost?

Composite costs less because it is built up directly on the tooth in one visit; porcelain costs more because it is made in a lab and lasts longer. Ask for a price once the dentist has actually looked at your teeth and knows how many are involved, since a figure given without an examination is only a guess.

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