Smile and aesthetics
Porcelain Veneers
A porcelain veneer is a thin layer of ceramic bonded to the front of a tooth. In most cases a small amount of enamel is removed first; in some selected cases veneers can be placed with no preparation at all (no-prep). We decide together which suits you after an examination, digital planning and a trial in the mouth.
- Visits
- Usually two or more
- Preparation
- Usually limited enamel reduction; no-prep in selected cases
- Material
- Glass-ceramic or feldspathic porcelain
- Planning
- Photographs, scan and, if suitable, a trial smile
What is it?
A veneer covers only the visible front surface and biting edge of a tooth. Unlike a crown, it does not wrap around the whole tooth, so it can usually be placed with less tooth reduction.
For porcelain veneers a small amount of enamel is removed in most cases, and this cannot be undone. Composite veneers may need less reduction and are easier to repair, but they resist staining and wear less well than ceramic. See composite bonding for that option.
No-prep veneers: in some cases a veneer can be bonded straight onto the enamel without any reduction. This technique only suits a limited group of cases: teeth that are small, narrow or slightly set back, small gaps to close, or worn teeth that need length, in other words situations where adding a little volume suits the smile. If the teeth already sit forward, the colour is very dark or you grind your teeth, a no-prep veneer can look bulky and unnatural and can make it harder to keep the gums healthy. That is why we decide on the technique together, with a trial in the mouth.
Veneers usually last many years; the most common problems are small chips in the ceramic and a veneer coming loose. How long veneers last is closely linked to grinding habits, oral hygiene and regular check-ups. We compare veneers and crowns in this article.
When can it be considered?
- Discolouration that does not respond to whitening
- Differences in the shape or length of front teeth
- Small gaps between teeth
- Slightly chipped or worn front teeth
- Small, narrow or slightly set-back teeth (may suit no-prep veneers)
- As part of a smile design plan
Examination and planning
The examination checks the health of the teeth and gums, your bite and any grinding habit. Untreated decay or gum disease is treated first. With heavy grinding or a deep bite, veneers may not be suitable or extra precautions may be needed.
A digital design is prepared from photographs and an intraoral scan. When suitable, it is tried in the mouth in a temporary material so colour, length and shape can be judged together. The wider planning process is described on the smile design page.
How the process works
Examination and records
Oral health is assessed; photographs and a scan are taken.
Design and trial
A digital draft is prepared and, when suitable, tried in the mouth.
Preparation and scan
Any limited reduction needed is carried out (not needed for no-prep veneers) and a digital impression is taken.
Temporaries
If needed, temporary restorations are placed while the veneers are made.
Try-in and bonding
Fit and colour are checked before the veneers are bonded.
Review
Your bite and gums are checked and a night guard is planned if required.
Digital tools that may be used
- Intraoral scan
- The digital model is used both for design and for communication with the laboratory.
- Digital design
- Veneer length, width and the incisal line are planned alongside facial photographs.
- Trial in the mouth
- The design is tried in a temporary material; tooth preparation can then be guided by that trial.
- Shade communication
- Photographs taken under standard lighting help pass colour and surface texture to the laboratory.
Aftercare
Recommended
- Use a soft brush and a non-abrasive toothpaste
- Clean between the teeth every day
- Wear a night guard if one was recommended
- Attend regular check-ups
Best avoided
- Biting ice or nut shells with the front teeth
- Biting nails or pens
- Using your teeth to open packaging
Whether a treatment suits you can only be decided after an examination. Timelines and stages vary from person to person.
Frequently asked questions
Are teeth reduced for veneers, and is it reversible?
Porcelain veneers usually need a small amount of enamel removed, and that cannot be undone. In some cases reduction is minimal; the amount depends on the position of the teeth and the planned change, and is decided at the examination.
Can veneers be placed without touching my teeth?
Sometimes. No-prep veneers are bonded without any reduction, but they only suit a limited group of cases: people whose teeth are small, narrow or slightly set back, where adding a little volume suits the smile. They are usually not advised if the teeth sit forward, the colour is very dark or you grind your teeth. We assess whether they suit you with an examination and a trial in the mouth.
How long do veneers last?
Well cared-for veneers usually last many years, typically around 5 to 15 years and often longer. Grinding, home care and regular check-ups make a real difference.
Can I whiten my teeth after getting veneers?
Ceramic and composite restorations do not change colour with whitening. If you want your other teeth lighter, whitening is usually done before the veneer shade is chosen.
Can I have veneers if I grind my teeth?
Grinding can increase the risk of veneers chipping. It is assessed at the examination; some people can have veneers with a night guard, while for others a different option is more appropriate.
Related articles
Intraoral Scanner vs Traditional Impressions: Accuracy and Comfort
An intraoral scanner records your teeth in 3D without impression putty. Here is how it compares with traditional impressions on comfort, time and accuracy, and where conventional methods are still preferred.
Veneers or Crowns? How the Right Restoration Is Chosen
A veneer and a crown are different restorations, and zirconia is a material rather than a treatment. This guide untangles the terms and explains the clinical factors behind the choice.
How Digital Smile Design Works: Process, Mock-Up and Realistic Expectations
Digital smile design is a way of planning treatment, not a treatment in itself. This guide walks through photos, scans and the in-mouth mock-up, and explains what a digital design can and cannot show.
Related treatments
All treatments- incisors, caninesSmile DesignA planning process that looks at tooth colour, shape and proportions together with the face and lips, using photographs, an intraoral scan and a trial smile.
- incisors, canines, premolars, molarsComposite Fillings and BondingTooth-coloured composite used to treat decay, repair chips and make small cosmetic changes, usually in a single visit.
- incisors, canines, premolars, molarsCrowns and BridgesCrowns that cover the whole tooth and bridges that replace a missing tooth using the neighbouring teeth, made from materials such as zirconia or glass-ceramic.
Questions about porcelain veneers?
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