Veneers
A veneer is a thin shell, porcelain or composite, bonded to the front surface of a tooth. Not the whole tooth, just the face you see when you smile. It’s how you correct colour, shape and alignment issues in one move, without orthodontics and without a crown. Each veneer is shaped and shaded individually against your other teeth, so the result reads as your smile, not an obvious add-on. For porcelain, this is worth treating as a considered decision rather than a quick fix: preparing the tooth removes a small amount of enamel, and that step is permanent, so we plan the shape, shade and outcome with you before anything is touched.
Porcelain vs composite
Porcelain is made in a lab from an impression, needs more precise preparation, and holds colour and shine for years with proper care. It’s the choice when you want the result to last and stay looking exactly as fitted.
Composite is built up chairside in one visit, needs less tooth preparation, costs less, and is easy to touch up or replace. It’s the right call for a lower-commitment fix or when you want to see the result before going further.
Neither is “better,” they solve different priorities: longevity and finish versus speed and reversibility.
What veneers actually correct
- Discolouration that whitening can’t reach, tetracycline staining, single dark teeth, enamel that won’t lift further
- Uneven or irregular tooth shape and size
- Chips, wear, or minor cracks
- Gaps between front teeth
- Finishing the look after orthodontic treatment, when teeth are straight but not uniform in shape or shade
Why patients choose this over whitening or bonding alone
Whitening changes shade. Bonding fixes small chips and gaps. Veneers change the shape and surface of the tooth entirely, so when there’s more than one issue in play, colour, shape and alignment together, veneers solve it as one treatment instead of three separate ones.
What’s involved
For porcelain: a small amount of enamel is prepared, an impression is taken, temporary veneers are worn while the permanent ones are made, then they’re bonded in place at a second visit. For composite: shaped and bonded directly in a single appointment.
Book a Consultation
Book an appointment and we’ll assess whether porcelain or composite is the right fit for what you want to change.