Research shows that roughly half of adults in the UK are unhappy with their smiles, with discolouration, cracked, crooked or misshapen teeth the most commonly cited flaws. In many cases, dental veneers are effective in restoring evenness of shade and shape to their smiles.

Dental veneers work by bonding a new surface layer to individual teeth. This new surface can be matched to the shade of the rest of your teeth and shaped to bring balance to your smile. Veneers are made of either porcelain or composite, with porcelain being the more expensive option but creating what many feel is a more natural looking result. In addition, porcelain is more stain resistant and has greater biological compatibility than composite, so it is less likely to cause irritation to the mouth and gums.

We are sometimes asked questions like, “Why not use a teeth whitening treatment rather than a veneer on my discoloured tooth?” Although teeth whitening is a great treatment for brightening your smile, it works on all of your teeth simultaneously. When one or more teeth are a significantly different shade to the others, whitening will not fix this unevenness.

Many people might associate crooked or misaligned teeth with braces and perhaps be put off by the idea of lengthy treatment. Dental veneers can, however, be a fantastic option for restoring the shape of crooked teeth over a much shorter period of time, as well as restoring the appearance of cracked or damaged teeth.

Veneers aren’t just limited to fixing one or two teeth at a time either. In cases where teeth are naturally small or short, veneers can be used to create a fuller appearance. Sets of veneers can be applied to upper or lower front teeth, or both, to give a flawless new smile.

It’s good to be sure that veneers are the right treatment for you before going ahead. A certain amount of the enamel of your existing tooth will need to be removed to create enough room for the veneer to fit and a suitable surface for bonding. Our friendly principal dentist Oberah will make sure that you are fully informed about your options before making your decision. Composite bonding is a popular alternative to veneers. Treatment with veneers typically takes two or three visits to complete.

Dental veneers are strong and made to last. You can expect your veneers to last between 10 and 20 years. They can produce dazzling results, often referred to as smile makeovers. Ask to see some of our before and after images to appreciate the transformation that veneers can offer.