Veneers Edinburgh
Porcelain and Composite Veneers, Planned Around You.
Veneers in Edinburgh
We offer porcelain and composite veneers in Edinburgh at our private practice on Manor Place, near Haymarket. A veneer is a thin layer that covers the front of a tooth to change its colour, shape or size.
Below, we explain both types, what they cost and what to think about first. As a result, you can come to your consultation knowing your options.
Veneers in Edinburgh: Your Options
We offer two main types of veneer. In addition, some patients can have minimal-prep or no-prep veneers.
Porcelain Veneers in Edinburgh
A porcelain veneer is a thin ceramic shell that a dental laboratory makes for you. First, your dentist removes a thin layer of enamel from the front of the tooth. Then we scan your teeth, and the laboratory makes each veneer in the colour and shape you have agreed. Porcelain resists staining well and reflects light in a similar way to natural enamel.
Composite Veneers in Edinburgh
A composite veneer uses tooth-coloured resin, which your dentist shapes directly on the tooth. It usually takes one visit and often needs little or no enamel removed. However, composite can stain or chip more easily than porcelain, so it may need polishing, repair or replacement sooner. For small chips or uneven edges, composite bonding may be all you need.
Minimal-Prep and No-Prep Veneers
With some veneers, we remove very little enamel or none at all. This approach keeps more of your natural tooth. However, it does not suit everyone. For example, it may not work well if your teeth are crowded or stick out. Your dentist will tell you at your consultation whether it is an option for you.
Composite vs Porcelain Veneers
| Composite veneers | Porcelain veneers | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Tooth-coloured resin | Ceramic |
| How we make it | Your dentist shapes it on the tooth | A dental laboratory makes it from a 3D scan |
| Visits | Usually one | Usually two or more |
| Enamel removed | Often little or none | Usually a thin layer |
| Staining | Can stain over time | Resists staining well |
| If it chips | We can often repair it | It usually needs replacing |
| How long it can last | Often around 5 to 7 years with good care | 10 to 15 years with good care |
| Price per tooth | £660 | £1,060 |
Neither type is better for everyone. Instead, the right choice depends on your teeth, your budget and the result you would like. Therefore, we talk through both at your consultation.
How Much Do Veneers Cost in Edinburgh?
Composite veneer
per tooth
Porcelain veneer
per tooth
A cosmetic consultation costs £119.
These prices come from our fees page. Your total depends on how many teeth you choose to treat. After your consultation, we give you a written estimate, so you know the full cost before you start. We are a fully private practice.
We offer finance for treatment costing £1,000 or more, so you can spread the cost over up to 12 months at 0% APR with Tabeo and pay nothing extra. However, finance is subject to status and a credit check. Integrated Dentalcare is not a lender; finance is provided through Tabeo.
Are Veneers Right for You?
Veneers may suit you if you would like to change the look of teeth that are:
- discoloured in a way that whitening does not change
- chipped or worn
- slightly uneven, or have small gaps between them
- an unusual shape or size
However, veneers are not always the right first step. For example, your dentist may suggest treating gum disease or tooth decay first. Similarly, if you grind your teeth, veneers may chip, so we may recommend a night guard.
Other options. Sometimes a simpler treatment gives you the change you want. For instance, teeth whitening can lighten natural teeth, composite bonding can repair small chips, and clear aligners can straighten teeth. We always explain these alternatives too.
What Happens When You Get Veneers
- Consultation. We check the health of your teeth and gums and listen to what you would like to change. Then we explain your options and the costs.
- Planning. We take a 3D scan of your teeth and agree the shape and shade with you.
- Preparing the teeth. For porcelain veneers, your dentist usually removes a thin layer of enamel under local anaesthetic. Meanwhile, the laboratory makes your veneers.
- Fitting. Your dentist checks the fit and colour with you, and then bonds each veneer in place.
- Review. Finally, we check your bite and show you how to look after your veneers.
Composite veneers follow a shorter path. After the consultation and planning, your dentist usually builds and polishes them in a single visit.
Things to Consider Before Choosing Veneers
Veneers are a long-term commitment, so it helps to know the downsides as well.
- Enamel does not grow back. If we remove enamel for a veneer, that tooth will always need a veneer or another covering.
- Sensitivity. Your teeth may feel sensitive to hot and cold for a while afterwards.
- Wear and damage. Veneers can chip, come loose or wear, and they need replacing in time.
- Colour. Whitening does not change the colour of a veneer, so we plan any whitening first.
Because of this, we never rush you. You can take your written estimate home and decide in your own time.
How Long Veneers Last and How to Look After Them
With good care, porcelain veneers can last 10 to 15 years, and composite veneers can often last around five to seven years. However, this varies from person to person. To help your veneers last:
- brush twice a day and clean between your teeth
- avoid biting hard objects, such as pens or ice
- wear a night guard if you grind your teeth
- keep up your dental health checks and hygiene visits
Before and After Veneers in Edinburgh
The first photo shows a patient before veneers, and the second shows the same patient after treatment with dentist Dr Allan Matthews. We show this case with the patient’s consent. Individual results vary. You can see more cases in our smile gallery.
Our Dentists Who Provide Veneers in Edinburgh
Dr Allan Matthews is a dentist (GDC 244091) who holds a BDS from Glasgow. He carried out the veneer cases in our smile gallery. Dr Vera Da Silva is a dentist (GDC 116453) with a special interest in cosmetic dentistry, and she also carries out composite bonding. You can check any dentist on the General Dental Council register.
Veneers in Edinburgh: Common Questions
Do veneers hurt?
We use local anaesthetic when we prepare teeth, so you should feel comfortable. However, some people notice sensitivity afterwards, which usually settles.
Can I have just one veneer?
Yes. You can have a single veneer or several. For a single veneer, we match the colour and shape to the teeth beside it.
Will my veneers look natural?
We plan the colour and shape with you, and you agree the look before we fit anything. Even so, results vary from person to person.
Can I whiten veneers?
No. Whitening gel does not change the colour of porcelain or composite. Therefore, if you would like lighter teeth, we whiten them first and then match your veneers to the new shade.
Can I get veneers on the NHS?
Not with us. We are a fully private practice, so we do not provide NHS treatment.
Book a Veneers Consultation in Edinburgh
Come and talk through your options with one of our dentists. There is no pressure to go ahead.
Treatment is subject to assessment and may not be suitable for everyone. Individual results vary.