Porcelain veneers in Tenbury Wells
What are porcelain veneers?
Porcelain veneers are wafer-thin shells of hand-made porcelain, between 0.3 and 1.0mm thick, bonded to the front surface of a tooth. They are used to close gaps, repair chipped or worn edges, and change the shape or length of teeth that show when you smile.
Good porcelain is semi-translucent, so a well-made veneer picks up light the way enamel does and blends with the teeth beside it. The design is tested first on a clip-on prototype in your mouth, so you have seen the shape and length before any tooth is prepared.
Veneers are planned at Tenbury Dental Centre as part of a smile design, often alongside whitening, which comes first because porcelain does not change shade afterwards.
Quoted per tooth in your treatment planGaps, chips, wear and shape, on the teeth that show
A veneer changes the outside of a tooth without rebuilding the whole thing. That makes it the right tool for a small gap, a chipped corner, an edge worn flat, a tooth that is narrower or shorter than its neighbour, or enamel that is stained from the inside and will not whiten.
It is the wrong tool for a tooth that is badly broken down, which needs a crown, or for teeth that are very crowded, which usually need straightening first. Part of our job is telling you which you need.
Dental veneers can be made from several materials and techniques, and the results vary widely in appearance. We use layered porcelain from a laboratory we work with closely, and we check shade and form with them at every stage.
Veneers in three stages
Design and prototype
Examination, photographs and a digital scan. We design the new tooth shapes and you try them as a clip-on prototype, adjusting until you are happy. The plan and price are written up.
Preparation
A thin layer of enamel is removed from the front of each tooth, under local anaesthetic, so the veneer sits flush. A scan or impression goes to the laboratory and temporary veneers protect the teeth meanwhile.
Fitting
The porcelain veneers are tried in, checked for shade and fit, and bonded to the teeth. You leave with the smile you approved on the prototype.
Usually two to three visits over a few weeks. Your timeline is confirmed in your plan.
Veneers, whitening or crowns?
They solve different problems, and they are often combined.
| Porcelain veneers | Teeth whitening | Crowns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Shape, chips, gaps, surface stains | Colour only, on healthy teeth | Teeth that are broken down or heavily filled |
| What is removed | A thin layer of enamel from the front | Nothing | More of the tooth, all the way round |
| Reversible | No, once enamel is removed | Yes | No |
| Visits | Two to three | One, then home whitening | Usually two |
| Changes shade later | No, porcelain stays the same | Fades slowly; top-ups available | No |
| Cost at Tenbury | Quoted per tooth | £495 | £695 to £850 |
Worth knowing before you decide
Fitting a veneer usually means removing a thin layer of enamel, which does not grow back. That is why we test the design on a prototype first and why we say if a less invasive option would do.
Porcelain can chip if you grind or clench your teeth. If you do, we will talk about a night guard to protect the veneers.
If you want whiter teeth as well, whitening comes first. The veneers are then matched to your lighter shade, because porcelain cannot be whitened afterwards.
I am so pleased Vish Patel managed to repair my cracked tooth, I was sure it was going to be very difficult. He explained everything clearly, and the materials matched perfectly! We are lucky to have such a well equipped surgery on our doorstep.
Brigid Eakins, Google review
What are porcelain veneers?
Thin shells of hand-made porcelain, usually between 0.3 and 1.0mm, bonded to the front surface of a tooth to change its shape, length, colour or surface. They are used on the teeth that show when you smile, for gaps, chips, wear and unevenness.
Do veneers damage your own teeth?
A thin layer of enamel is normally removed so the veneer sits flush, and enamel does not grow back, so the tooth will always need a veneer or similar afterwards. It is a small amount compared with a crown, and we test the design on a prototype first so the decision is made with the result in view.
Veneers, whitening or crowns: which do I need?
Whitening if colour is the only issue and your teeth are healthy. Veneers if the problem is shape, chips, gaps or stains that will not whiten. Crowns if a tooth is broken down or heavily filled and needs rebuilding all the way round. Many plans combine two of them, and your consultation settles which.
Will veneers look fake?
They should not. Good porcelain is semi-translucent and layered to catch light like enamel, and the shape is designed for your face rather than taken from a template. You adjust the prototype before anything is made, so if you want them less white or less uniform, that is built in.
Can I have veneers if I grind my teeth?
Often yes, with precautions. Grinding and clenching can chip porcelain, so we assess your bite first and will usually recommend a night guard to protect the veneers while you sleep. If the grinding is severe, we may suggest a different approach.
How much do veneers cost?
Veneers are quoted per tooth in your treatment plan, because the number of teeth and the work around them vary from person to person. You get the figure in writing after your consultation and prototype. For treatment over £500 there is an interest-free option over 12 months, subject to status. See finance options.
See what veneers could do for your smile
A consultation, photographs and a prototype show you the shape before any tooth is touched. You decide from there.
Quoted per tooth in your plan. Treatment is subject to a consultation and clinical assessment. Every mouth is different, so what is right for you is something we work out together at your consultation. Individual results vary. Or get in touch here.
A full plan for changing your smile, with a clip-on prototype you try in your own mouth before any treatment starts. Whitening, veneers, aligners and crowns in the right order.
Dentist-led home whitening with custom-fitted trays, £495. Gels chosen to limit sensitivity, top-ups at a reduced rate. Over 18s only, after an examination.