VENEERS

Veneers are ultra-thin, laminates which are fixed over the teeth to conceal imperfections such as discoloured, worn out, chipped, and crowded teeth.

A definitive price of veneers depends on the number and the type of veneers you choose. The skill set of the cosmetic dentist can be another factor in pricing. That said, we pride ourselves on transparent and honest pricing. Porcelain veneers at Coulsdon Dental Clinic cost from £800.

It depends on which type of veneer you have, with proper care and attention:

• composite bonding veneers typically last 5-7 years
• porcelain veneers usually last 10-15 years

It may last slightly less time if you grind your teeth, although your dentist will spot this before having them in the first place.

A well cared for porcelain veneer can last 10-15 years, and by well cared, we mean to maintain good oral hygiene and avoiding biting down on hard foods like ice, olive pits, nut shells etc.

Composite veneers can last 5-10 years with proper care.

Anybody with healthy gums and teeth in moderately good condition can be the right candidate for getting veneers. Generally, this treatment is not available on NHS unless there is a need for them to improve oral health – there are very few exceptional conditions where they are required for purposes other than aesthetic.

Another thing to bear in mind is although veneers are great for achieving a pleasing smile, they are not a replacement for good oral health.

Veneers are a long-lasting option, however, they are not a permanent option. Porcelain veneers can last for 10-15 years, whereas composite veneers last about 5-10 years.

Another thing to bear in mind is that porcelain veneers are an irreversible process so you must be sure that they are the right treatment for you. Ask yourself why you need this treatment, as there may be other alternatives or combinations available such as composite bonding, Invisalign® or teeth whitening.

For a free consultation, call us on 0208 660 3308.

To answer this, we are going to divide the treatment into three clinical stages:

1) Stage 1 – Preparation of teeth: During this stage, we shave 0.5 mm of tooth enamel. It’s a minimally invasive process that is less invasive than preparing your tooth for a crown, although you may experience some soreness in jaws or gums. We use local anaesthetic to ensure your teeth don’t hurt at all, although you may feel the vibration of tools.

2) Stage 2 – Post-preparation: Once the local anaesthetic wears off, the tooth pulp may become inflamed due to the pressures of vibrating tools, which can be uncomfortable. Not everyone senses this discomfort. Placing the temporary veneers does not involve any painful procedure. While you are wearing the temporary veneers, there may be an increased sensitivity to hot & cold – remember this is only momentary and will go away as soon as the final veneers are cemented.

3) Stage 3 – Bonding: The final veneers usually involve little to no discomfort and can be controlled with local anaesthetic/numbing gel. Few people experience sensitivity to hot and cold; however, this fades away in a few days after the treatment. In a few days, they will feel natural, and you may even forget that they are there.

While veneers do not stain as they are non-porous, you should be mindful that your natural teeth can change shade, creating a mismatch of teeth shades. You can overcome this by visiting the hygienist regularly, or with the laser teeth whitening that we carry out in chair at our dental practice in Coulsdon.

Depending on which aspect of your smile that you want to improve, Invisalign® or Quick Straight Teeth can resolve crowded or misaligned teeth. If you want to get rid of minor chips and small gaps in teeth, composite bonding/dental bonding can be a great alternative.