Veneers at Essex Family Dental
What are veneers?
Veneers are thin, bespoke coverings that are made of high quality tooth-coloured composite or porcelain and adhered to the front surface of your natural teeth. As veneers are moulded to match the original shape and size of your own teeth, they’re a very natural looking solution to cover chips, stains or gaps and can also improve the appearance of misshapen or crooked teeth.
Why are veneers needed?
Veneers are a cosmetic treatment that are designed to improve the overall aesthetics of your teeth, so they can be a good option if you want to conceal imperfections in your smile. Effectively, veneers can give you the beautiful ‘celebrity’ smile you’ve always dreamed about - whether that be by applying just one veneer to an individual tooth or by getting multiple veneers to improve all of your front teeth and your overall smile.
What options are available?
Porcelain veneers: Porcelain veneers are a suitable solution for almost every cosmetic issue and, as a result of this versatility, are the most trusted option for the majority of patients. They’re the most natural looking type of veneer available, as reflected by the higher cost, and are made from hardened ceramic. This material is extremely strong and high in quality and won’t stain or change colour over time. Porcelain veneers are a permanent treatment which can usually last for 10-15 years without any additional maintenance (besides what would be required for your natural teeth anyway).
How can I be sure I’ll like the end result?
At Essex Family Dental, we have top of the range dental scanners available. These will enable your dentist to create a digital impression of your teeth and a rendering of the final result before any materials are ordered from the lab. You’ll be able to see your full treatment plan in stunning 3D detail before you make any final decisions.
What’s the procedure to have veneers fitted?
The procedure varies depending on which veneer option you’ve chosen. In general, your dentist will first prepare your teeth as needed; in the case of porcelain veneers this will involve filing down the enamel on your natural teeth, whereas no-prep veneers will require no preparation work in advance. A digital impression of your teeth will be taken using our state of the art digital diagnostics technology and, if you’re having porcelain veneers fitted, this will be sent off to the lab so that your bespoke veneers can be made. You’ll be provided with temporary veneers in the interim if your dentist is unable to apply your veneers on the same day. It’s usual for local anaesthetic to be used for porcelain veneers to ensure you remain comfortable during the treatment on your natural tooth, with sedation available for nervous patients. Neither option would be necessary for no prep veneers.
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How much do veneers cost?
The price of your veneers will depend on the type of veneer you’ve opted for and how many you need; composite veneers usually cost less than porcelain ones, for example. During your visit your dentist will explain your options and the cost involved. Approximately, you can expect to pay from £300 per tooth for composite veneers and double that for porcelain veneers. With 0%* finance options available to spread the cost over 24 months, a life-long, new smile with veneers is affordable and very achievable. Book a consultation now to discuss your goals with a qualified dentist.
Where can I get veneers?
This treatment is available at the following practice locations:
Have you thought about?
Enhancing your smile makeover with dental cosmetic treatments such as teeth whitening, composite bonding, digital diagnostics, a hygienist treatment and a dental plan.
Composite bonding
If you’ve been dreaming of the perfect smile but don’t want to undergo any permanent procedures that involve removal of part of the tooth, then composite bonding might be the best solution to bring out the best in your smile. Composite bonding is a non-invasive tooth restoration treatment that changes the shape and colour of your teeth through the application of a tooth-coloured resin onto the tooth’s natural surface, whilst also protecting the integrity of your natural teeth.
Digital diagnostics
Here at Essex Family Dental, we’ve invested in the latest digital scanning technology to achieve the most accurate dental diagnostics. With a dental scanner, an intra-oral camera and Cone Beam Computed Tomography scan (CBCT) technology all available, our dentists can take a highly accurate 3D digital impression of your teeth without the need for a physical mould and, in the same appointment, discuss any issues and plot your treatment plan.
Dental plans
A dental plan makes it simple to stay on top of your oral health, even with a busy schedule. By planning routine care in advance, you can keep your teeth and gums healthy all year round with ease and confidence.
Hygiene appointments
Regular hygiene visits help keep your teeth clean, bright and free from staining while also supporting the long-term health of your gums. Attending appointments at least every six months—alongside routine dental check-ups and good home care—reduces the risk of gum disease, improves overall oral health and helps maintain a fresh, healthy smile.
Teeth whitening
Teeth get stained over time, so teeth whitening is a good way to restore the natural whiteness that may have been dulled by red wine, tea or coffee. Our at-home whitening kits will give you reliable results quickly and will bring the brilliance back to your smile or, alternatively, you can opt for teeth whitening strips.
Frequently asked questions about veneers
Yes. Dental veneers are designed to look very natural and can be customised to blend in with the colour, shape and size of your other teeth. Opting for dental veneers will give you a seamless result.
Veneers are not immune to a small amount of staining or discolouration over time. Whilst porcelain veneers are quite resistant to stains, composite resin veneers can stain a bit more easily. The best way to keep them looking their best is to stick to good oral habits; brushing, flossing and regular visits to the hygienist for a deep clean. If, eventually, some staining does appear around the edges, you may need to come back to the practice for a bit of touch-up work.
Veneers aren’t designed to replace orthodontic treatment. They can be a good treatment option for individuals who’d like to improve the look of teeth that are only slightly crooked, however, they’re not the appropriate option for teeth that are more seriously misaligned. In such cases it would be more suitable to consider having orthodontic treatment, such as Invisalign, for the best results.
