If you have healthy gums and teeth, veneers could be a quick and simple solution for you. Patients with tooth decay, gum disease and root canal infections will need to have these issues treated prior to considering veneers, and it may be that your dentist recommends alternative treatments in these cases.

Because veneers sit over the top of your teeth, the dentist will need to file away a layer of enamel proportionate to the thickness of the veneers. This is usually carried out under a local anaesthetic. When your bespoke veneers are ready, the dentist will bond them in place using a special curing light, and finish by fine-tuning their look and shape manually.

No! Sometimes we might use a local anaesthetic, but it’s not always necessary and applying veneers generally involves minimal discomfort. Your cosmetic dentist will discuss your treatment in depth so you know exactly what to expect.

With proper care, your porcelain veneers can last up to 15 years.

Veneers are less prone to staining than natural teeth, because porcelain is not as porous – but you will need to follow a good oral hygiene routine to maintain your beautiful white smile.

Your dentist will take this into consideration before recommending veneers. In many cases, wearing a night guard mitigates against veneers being damaged by teeth grinding.