Dental veneers are a popular cosmetic treatment for anyone looking to achieve a brighter, more even, and beautifully balanced smile with long-lasting, natural-looking results.
Dental veneers are thin, custom-made shells made from porcelain or composite resin. They are designed to sit on the front surface of your teeth to improve their shape, colour, and overall appearance. Veneers can be an excellent long-lasting option for concerns such as chipped or worn teeth, stubborn discolouration, uneven edges, gaps, or mild misalignment. Because they are carefully crafted to match your natural teeth, veneers create a smooth, seamless, and confident smile.
Several types of veneers are available, each suited to different needs. Porcelain veneers are highly durable and known for their lifelike, translucent appearance. Composite veneers, made using composite resin, are a more cost-effective option and can often be placed in a single visit.
Some veneers require minimal enamel removal (“no-prep” veneers), while traditional veneers may involve more tooth shaping to ensure the best fit, stability, and longevity.
Veneers differ from dental crowns, which cover the entire tooth for strength or reconstruction. Veneers cover only the front surface and are mainly used for cosmetic enhancement.
Having veneers placed by an experienced dentist is key. The bonding process ensures the veneer fits securely, looks natural, and protects the underlying tooth structure.
Your first visit will be a consultation to determine whether veneers are right for you. Your dentist will assess your oral health, discuss the different veneer options, and help you choose the approach that best fits your goals, lifestyle, and budget.
If you decide to go ahead, treatment usually involves two appointments. This allows enough time to design veneers that are tailored specifically to your teeth, ensuring a natural, balanced result that complements your facial features and smile.
Appointment 1
At your first appointment, your dentist will examine your teeth and gently prepare them for your new veneers. This may involve removing a very thin layer of enamel to make room for the veneer, though prep-veneers and no-prep veneers are options if you need a more conservative approach.
If you are having composite resin veneers, the dentist will shape and layer the composite material directly onto your tooth before curing it with a special light. For porcelain veneers, moulds (impressions) are taken and sent to a skilled dental laboratory, where your custom veneers are crafted to match your smile.
You may be given a temporary veneer to protect the tooth and maintain your smile while the permanent veneer is being made.
Appointment 2
At your second visit, the temporary veneer is removed, and your custom-made veneer is tried in. Your dentist will check the fit, shape, and colour carefully to ensure the veneer blends naturally with your surrounding teeth.
Once you are both happy with the result, the veneer is bonded into place using dental cement, which is then cured to secure the restoration firmly. The aim is always to achieve a smooth, natural-looking finish that feels comfortable and looks beautifully seamless.
You may need a local anaesthetic during the procedure. If so, we recommend eating beforehand, as your mouth can remain numb for a few hours afterwards. This helps keep you comfortable during treatment while you enjoy the transformation of your smile.
Looking after your veneers properly will help keep them looking their best for many years. Although porcelain veneers are strong, durable, and highly stain-resistant, they still benefit from good daily care. Brushing twice a day, cleaning between your teeth, and attending regular dental check-ups will help maintain their smooth, natural appearance.
Your dentist may recommend routine reviews to check the condition of the veneers and your overall oral health. With the right care and professional monitoring, veneers can stay bright, comfortable, and long-lasting.
Your dentist assesses your oral health, explains veneer options, and helps you choose the most suitable approach for your goals, lifestyle, and budget. If you decide to proceed, treatment is typically planned over two appointments to ensure a natural, well-designed result.
Your dentist examines and gently prepares the teeth, removing only a thin layer of enamel if needed.
Composite veneers: The resin is shaped and layered directly onto your teeth and cured with light.
Porcelain veneers: Impressions are taken and sent to a dental lab to create your custom veneers.
Temporary veneers may be placed to protect your teeth while the final ones are made.
Temporary veneers are removed, and your custom veneers are tried in to check the fit, shape, and colour. Once you’re happy, they are bonded securely using dental cement and cured for a smooth, natural finish. Local anaesthetic may be used, so it’s best to eat beforehand.
Maintain your veneers with good daily oral hygiene – brushing twice a day, cleaning between teeth, and attending regular check-ups. Routine reviews help ensure your veneers stay bright, comfortable, and long-lasting.
We are proud to provide patients with access to a wide range of clinicians, chosen specifically for their knowledge and reputation in their area of expertise. Our experts align with our values: putting you at the centre of your care and educating you on your options at each step of the journey. We encourage you to learn more about our clinicians and how they can help you below. As always, please contact our patient services team if you require any additional information.
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Our payment options are designed to offer you easy access to our treatments and services. You can choose to pay on the day, spread the cost, or use your private medical insurance.
Our patient services team will guide you through the process, providing clear costs and support throughout your course of treatment so you can focus on the thing that matters most – your health.
Whether you pay in advance, spread the cost, or use your private medical insurance, rest assured you will be receiving exceptional care 365 days a year.
Even if you do not have medical insurance, you can still get quick and comprehensive access to private medical care.
We provide transparent pricing from your initial consultation to the completion of your treatment so you know where you stand, every step of the way.
We accept all major debit and credit cards, as well as Apple Pay for UK residents. Please note that we do not accept cash or cheques.
Paying for your treatment at One Stop Healthcare can be spread monthly from 12 to 60 months, rather than paying in one go.
With an upfront 10% deposit paid, via our Financial partner Chrysalis Finance, we offer various flexible terms to enable you to spread the cost, including 12-months at 0% APR. Click here to find out more.
Monthly payments need to be linked to a One Stop Healthcare treatment over £385 and is subject to a 14-day ‘cooling-off’ period before any treatment can start.
Your on-going payments will be made directly between Chrysalis and yourself. It’s that simple.
We are recognised by all major health insurance companies and with our extensive range of services, there are lots of benefits to using your insurance with us. Our patient services team is here to answer any questions you may have about using your private health insurance with us.
Please bring along your policy details including your scheme details, membership or policy number, expiry date and confirmation of eligibility to claim (i.e. your authorisation number). If you do not have these details with you, we will require payment from you on the day. Patients are liable for any amounts not settled by their insurer.
Veneers are designed to be a long-lasting cosmetic treatment. With good oral hygiene and regular dental check-ups, porcelain veneers typically last 10–15 years, and sometimes even longer. Composite veneers usually last 4–8 years, as the material is more prone to wear and staining.
Their lifespan depends on factors such as the material used, your daily oral care, and habits like grinding, biting hard foods, or clenching. Wearing a mouthguard for sports or at night (if you grind your teeth) can help protect your teeth.
Even though veneers cover the front of the tooth, the natural tooth underneath still needs proper care to stay healthy.
To fit a veneer, a very thin layer of enamel is usually removed from the front of the tooth to create space for the shell. This amount is minimal, particularly with no-prep or low-prep veneers, but it is necessary for the veneer to fit naturally and securely.
Once the veneer is bonded in place with dental cement, the underlying tooth remains protected. The bonding acts like an additional shield, helping to prevent wear and further damage.
Because enamel removal is irreversible, veneers are considered a long-term treatment. The tooth will usually need to remain covered by a veneer or another type of restoration in the future.
With good oral hygiene, regular dental visits, and avoiding habits such as biting hard foods or clenching, the teeth beneath veneers can remain healthy for many years. If a veneer ever needs to be replaced, a new one can usually be placed on the same tooth, as long as the tooth structure remains sound.
At our clinic, dental veneers typically range from £775–£1,000 per tooth.
The exact cost depends on the type of veneer, the number of teeth being treated, and the material selected.
Medically reviewed by Dr Julia Panteli - Dentist
