Your Guide to Dental Veneers
What dental veneers are, how they are fitted, how they compare with other cosmetic options, and what to think about in the long term.
What are dental veneers?
A veneer is a thin shell of porcelain or tooth-coloured filling material (composite resin). It is glued (bonded) to the front of a tooth. Veneers change the colour, shape, size or surface of a tooth to improve how it looks.
Porcelain veneers are made in a dental lab. They are very hard-wearing and look natural. Composite veneers can be built up on the tooth in one appointment. But they do not last as long as porcelain.
When might veneers be suggested?
Veneers are mainly a cosmetic treatment. They may be used for:
- Teeth that are stained for good and do not whiten well, for example from tetracycline or fluorosis
- Chipped or worn front teeth
- Teeth that are slightly crooked or uneven
- Gaps between teeth (diastemas)
- Teeth that are smaller than usual or an unusual shape
Veneers do not suit teeth with large fillings, a lot of decay or unhealthy gums. They are also not the right first treatment for crooked teeth. Brace treatment (orthodontics) works better in those cases.
What happens during treatment?
Porcelain veneers (2–3 appointments)
- A numbing injection (local anaesthetic) is used. A very thin layer of enamel is removed from the front of the tooth. This is usually 0.3–0.7mm. It makes space for the veneer.
- A mould (impression) or digital scan is taken and sent to a dental lab.
- A temporary veneer is placed while the permanent one is made.
- At the fitting appointment, the permanent veneer is glued to the tooth with a special cement.
Composite veneers (one appointment)
- The tooth surface is prepared. In many cases, little or no enamel is removed.
- Composite resin is applied and shaped directly on the tooth in layers.
- The composite is hardened with a light, then polished smooth.
Things to think about before you decide
Veneers cannot be undone. Once enamel is removed for a porcelain veneer, that tooth will always need a veneer or crown in future. This is a commitment for the life of those teeth.
- Porcelain veneers usually last 10–20 years before they need replacing.
- Composite veneers usually last 3–7 years. They may need repairing or replacing more often.
- Veneers can chip or break. This is more likely if you grind your teeth.
- The colour of a veneer cannot be changed once it is made. If you want whiter teeth, whiten them before your veneers are placed.
- Very rarely, the tooth underneath may need root canal treatment. This can happen if shaping the tooth affects the nerve (pulp).
Risks and possible problems
Common:
- Sensitivity to hot and cold after the tooth is shaped. This is usually short-term.
- A settling-in period while you get used to the new shape and feel of the tooth
Uncommon:
- The colour of the veneer does not match the natural teeth around it
- The veneer comes loose (debonding). It can usually be glued back on.
- Gum soreness at the edge of the veneer
Rare:
- Permanent damage to the nerve (pulp) that needs root canal treatment
- The veneer breaks and needs replacing
Alternatives to veneers
Before you decide on veneers, think about whether a less invasive option could give a similar result:
- Tooth whitening. For stained teeth. The teeth do not need shaping.
- Composite bonding. For small chips, gaps or shape changes. It is minimally invasive and can often be reversed. It costs less than porcelain veneers but does not last as long.
- Brace treatment or aligners. For crooked teeth. This treats the cause without changing the tooth surface.
- No treatment. Cosmetic treatment is a personal choice. Whether to have purely cosmetic treatment is entirely your decision.
Questions to ask your dental team
- How much will my teeth need to be shaped for veneers?
- Would composite bonding give a similar result?
- Should I whiten my other teeth before my veneers are made?
- What happens when these veneers need replacing?
- Would a night guard help protect my veneers?
This leaflet is for general information only and does not replace professional dental advice. It is intended to support — not replace — the discussion with your dental team about your individual options, risks, and treatment plan. Treatment outcomes vary between patients depending on individual circumstances. Your dental team will confirm exact fees and what is suitable for your specific circumstances before you agree to any treatment.
Sources
- Dental treatments. NHS website (nhs.uk), reviewed July 2026.
- Veneers. Oral Health Foundation.
Links checked 18 October 2026.
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For clinicians: Veneer (Composite or Porcelain) notes template.
Learn more about dental documentation on our blog or see Nosht pricing.