Porcelain Veneers
A smile you actually want to show
Stained teeth that whitening won't fix? Worn down from grinding? Gaps or chips that make you hide your smile? Veneers can change all of that, permanently.
Porcelain shells, custom-designed for your teeth, that look completely natural and last 10-15 years. They're not for everyone. But if you've been thinking about them for a while, let's talk it through properly.
Consultation within 7 days • Not sure if veneers are right? We'll tell you honestly.
HERO IMAGE: Close-up smile showing natural-looking porcelain veneers (full smile, showing 6-8 front teeth with beautiful, natural-looking veneers)
When veneers actually make sense
Veneers are permanent. They cost more than other options. And they require you to commit to looking after them. So when does it make sense to get them?
Veneers usually make sense if:
- Deep staining whitening can't fix
From antibiotics, root canal work, or old age - You want a complete transformation
Not just fixing one tooth, but redesigning your whole smile - Your teeth are worn down
From grinding, acid erosion, or just decades of use - You've tried other options already
And they haven't given you what you want - You want the longest-lasting solution
Veneers typically last 10-15 years with proper care - You're ready for a permanent change
Veneers require some tooth preparation and can't be undone
You might not need veneers if:
- Just one or two teeth need fixing
Bonding or crowns might be more appropriate - Surface stains are the main problem
Whitening costs a fraction and works for most staining - You're not sure what you want yet
Veneers are permanent. If you're uncertain, wait. - Your teeth aren't healthy enough
Active decay or gum disease needs fixing first - You grind your teeth heavily
Without a nightguard, veneers will crack or chip
The honest truth: We turn away about 30% of people who come in asking for veneers. Not because we don't want to do the work, but because there's a better option for what they actually need.
"I came in convinced I needed veneers. Dr. Jandoo looked at my teeth and suggested whitening first. Saved me thousands of pounds and I got exactly what I wanted. I'll never go anywhere else now."Angela P.
What veneers actually are
Thin shells of porcelain, permanently bonded to the front of your teeth, custom-made to look like the smile you've always wanted.
We use veneers to fix:
- Deep stains that won't whiten
From tetracycline, dead teeth, or just age - Worn or short teeth
From grinding, erosion, or genetics - Gaps you want permanently closed
Without braces or aligners - Chips or cracks that keep coming back
When bonding isn't lasting - Teeth that just don't look right
Too small, too pointy, or misshapen - Minor alignment problems
When you don't want braces but want straight-looking teeth
Why porcelain specifically?
- Reflects light like real tooth enamel
- Doesn't stain from coffee, red wine, or smoking
- Feels smooth and natural to your tongue
- Strong enough to last 10-15 years
- Can be color-matched to your exact shade
- Your gums tolerate it well
What you need to know:
Veneers require removing a thin layer of your natural tooth (about 0.5mm). This means they're permanent. Once you get veneers, you'll always need veneers on those teeth.
They can also chip if you bite something very hard or use your teeth as tools. And if you grind your teeth at night, you'll need to wear a nightguard to protect them.
What happens during the veneer process
Three appointments spread over about 6-8 weeks. Each one matters.
First visit: We talk through what you want
This isn't a sales pitch. We're figuring out whether veneers will actually give you what you're hoping for, or if there's a better option.
- Look at your teeth, gums, and bite
- Talk through what you don't like about your current smile
- Show you examples of what's realistic for your situation
- Discuss shade, shape, and how natural you want them to look
- Explain the full process and what to expect
Takes about 45-60 minutes. If we think veneers aren't right for you, we'll tell you what would work better.
Second visit: We prepare your teeth
We remove a thin layer from the front of each tooth (about half a millimeter) so the veneers sit flush and don't look bulky. Then we take impressions and fit you with temporary veneers while the real ones are being made.
"I was nervous about the prep, but Dr. Jandoo was so gentle I barely felt
anything. The temporaries looked good enough that I wasn't embarrassed to
go back to work."
— Laura M.
Takes 1.5-2 hours for a full set. Local anaesthetic keeps you comfortable. The temporaries protect your teeth while the lab makes your permanent veneers (usually 2-3 weeks).
Third visit: We fit your permanent veneers
First we try them on without bonding them, so you can see exactly what they'll look like. If anything doesn't feel right (shade, shape, length), we can send them back to the lab. Once you're happy, we bond them permanently.
- Check the fit and appearance before bonding
- Make any final adjustments
- Clean and prepare your teeth
- Bond each veneer permanently in place
- Polish and check your bite
Takes 1.5-2 hours. Once they're bonded, you can eat and drink normally. They'll feel a bit strange for a few days while your tongue gets used to them, but that's completely normal.
Typical timeline:
- Week 1: Initial consultation
- Week 2-3: Tooth preparation and temporary veneers
- Week 5-6: Final fitting and bonding
- Week 8: Follow-up check
Total treatment time varies depending on your schedule and the lab's workload, but most people have their final veneers within 6-8 weeks of starting.
What patients say about their veneers
Real experiences from people who've had veneers at West Dental.
"My front teeth were stained from antibiotics as a child. Whitening never worked. I got four veneers three years ago and they still look perfect. I smile in every photo now."— Michelle K.
"I'd ground my teeth down over the years and they looked tiny. Six veneers brought them back to a normal length. Changed my whole face. Best decision I ever made."— Robert T.
"Was nervous about looking too perfect or fake. Dr. Jandoo matched them exactly to my other teeth. My own mother didn't notice for two weeks until I told her."— Sophie H.
Questions people ask about veneers
Everything you need to know before deciding if veneers are right for you
Only if you want them to. Some people ask for Hollywood-white, perfectly uniform veneers. If that's what you want, we can do that. But most people want veneers that look like beautiful natural teeth, not fake ones.
We match the shade to your other teeth (or a shade you choose), add subtle variations so they don't look like Chiclets, and make sure they suit your face shape and personality.
The key is honest conversation upfront about what you want. If you bring in photos of smiles you like, that helps us understand what you're picturing.
Most veneers last 10-15 years. Some patients get 20+ years from them. It depends on how you look after them and whether you protect them from damage.
The main things that damage veneers are: biting very hard things (ice, hard sweets, pen caps), grinding your teeth without a nightguard, or using your teeth as tools to open packages.
If you avoid those things and keep up with regular checkups, there's no reason your veneers shouldn't last 15+ years. When they eventually do need replacing, we remove the old ones and fit new ones.
The preparation appointment requires removing a thin layer of enamel, so we use local anaesthetic to keep you comfortable. You'll feel pressure but no pain. Most people say it's much easier than they expected.
For a day or two after, your teeth might feel a bit sensitive while the temporary veneers are on. Nothing serious, just an awareness. Once the permanent veneers are bonded, any sensitivity usually goes away within a week.
If you're anxious about dental treatment, tell us. We can take more time, give you more breaks, or discuss sedation options if needed.
Yes. Once the permanent veneers are bonded, you can eat and drink normally. They're strong enough to handle regular chewing.
We'd suggest avoiding biting directly into very hard things (like apples or crusty bread) with your front teeth, especially in the first few weeks. Cut them into pieces instead. And don't bite ice, hard sweets, or use your teeth to open things.
Basically, treat them like you should treat your natural teeth. Most damage to veneers comes from doing things you shouldn't do with any teeth.
Some people have mild sensitivity for the first week or two, particularly to cold drinks. This is normal and usually goes away on its own as your teeth adjust.
Rarely, sensitivity can persist longer. If it does, it usually means the veneers need a minor adjustment to your bite, which we can fix easily. We include follow-up appointments to check everything is comfortable.
Most patients say their teeth actually feel less sensitive after veneers than before, because the porcelain protects the tooth underneath.
This is why we try them on before bonding them permanently. At the final appointment, we place the veneers on your teeth without gluing them so you can see exactly what they'll look like.
If the shade isn't quite right, or the shape doesn't suit you, or anything feels off, we send them back to the lab to be remade. It adds time to the process, but it's better than being stuck with veneers you don't like.
Once they're bonded, making changes is difficult (though not impossible). This is why we spend so much time in the initial consultation making sure we understand what you want.
No. Most people get 4-8 veneers on their upper front teeth, because those are the ones that show when you smile. We only recommend doing teeth that actually need it.
Some patients just get two front teeth done. Others do the full upper arch (10 teeth) for a complete transformation. It depends what you're starting with and what you want to achieve.
During the consultation, we'll show you what different options would look like and help you decide what makes sense for your situation and budget.
Porcelain veneers at West Dental are £750-900 per tooth, depending on the complexity of your case. Most people get 4-8 veneers, which typically works out to £3,200-6,400 total.
This includes everything: the consultation (£95), tooth preparation, temporary veneers, laboratory work, final fitting, and follow-up appointments. There aren't hidden costs.
We offer payment plans if the full amount upfront is difficult. Interest-free options are available depending on the total, or we can arrange longer terms with finance companies.
The consultation fee (£95) is deducted from your treatment cost if you go ahead. If we advise against veneers and suggest something else, you only pay for the consultation.
Veneers can mask minor alignment issues and make teeth appear straighter. But if your teeth are significantly crooked or your bite is off, veneers probably aren't the right solution.
Trying to fix severe misalignment with veneers means we'd have to remove too much tooth structure to make them look straight, which weakens your teeth and doesn't solve the underlying bite problem.
For more significant alignment issues, Invisalign or braces would be a better option. We can assess your specific situation and recommend what would work best. Learn about Invisalign
Not sure if veneers are right for you?
Book a consultation and we'll give you an honest assessment. If there's a better option for what you need, we'll tell you.