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Ceramic veneers in London

A ceramic veneer is a thin, custom-made porcelain facing bonded to the front of a tooth to change its shape, colour or alignment, usually requiring a small amount of enamel to be prepared.

At a glance

Appointment: 2–3 hours per stage
Visits: Consultation, design, preparation, fit
Results: 2–4 weeks from preparation
Longevity: Typically 10–15 years or more
Reversibility: Irreversible — enamel is reshaped
Anaesthetic: Local anaesthetic for preparation

Ceramic veneers are £795 per tooth, including laboratory work. The number of teeth needed is determined at assessment, and is often fewer once tooth position has been corrected.

Book a consultation

Assessment and diagnosis before any cosmetic treatment

Patient guides

General instructions after treatment

Educational illustration of a thin ceramic veneer bonded to the front enamel surface of an upper central incisor — IllustrationEducational illustration — a veneer covers the visible front surface of the tooth; preparation varies case by case.

Compare your options

Why ceramic veneers rather than something else?

All treatments

Who is suitable for ceramic veneers?

Patients whose goals cannot be met predictably with alignment, whitening or bonding
Teeth with sufficient healthy enamel to bond to
Patients with stable gum health and a managed bite

What problems does ceramic veneers solve?

Deep intrinsic discolouration
Worn or short teeth
Shape and proportion changes
Long-standing chips or cracks

What happens at the ceramic veneers assessment?

Comprehensive examination including bite and wear analysis
Photography, scanning and, where useful, a diagnostic design
A trial of the proposed shape before irreversible preparation where possible

How does ceramic veneers work?

01
Design
The proposed shape is planned digitally and tested in the mouth.
02
Preparation
Minimal enamel is prepared only where required by the design.
03
Temporaries
Provisional veneers let you assess shape and function.
04
Fit
Ceramic is bonded, checked against the bite and polished.

What are the benefits?

Highly stain resistant
Excellent optical properties
Strong when bonded to enamel
Long-lasting when maintained

What are the limitations?

Irreversible once enamel is prepared
Not appropriate as a shortcut for correcting significant tooth position
Requires laboratory time

What are the risks of ceramic veneers?

Sensitivity after preparation
Debonding or fracture
Future need for replacement
Nerve inflammation in a small number of teeth

What are the alternatives to ceramic veneers?

How long does ceramic veneers last?

Well-maintained bonded ceramic veneers are commonly reported to last in excess of ten years, depending on bite, habits and hygiene.

How is ceramic veneers maintained?

Routine hygiene appointments
Night guard where grinding is present
Avoiding biting hard objects

How much does ceramic veneers cost in London?

£795Guide fee

Ceramic veneers are £795 per tooth, including laboratory work. The number of teeth needed is determined at assessment, and is often fewer once tooth position has been corrected.

A written plan with itemised fees is provided after assessment, before any treatment is agreed. See the full fee guide.

Clinical cases

Ceramic veneers cases

Published only with explicit patient consent.

The same upper front teeth after four minimal-preparation e.max ceramic veneers, showing even edge position, balanced width and natural translucency

Close-up clinical photograph of upper front teeth before treatment, showing uneven edge position, worn incisal edges and mismatched proportions

Invisalign · Ceramic veneers · E.max crowns

Four minimal-preparation e.max veneers after Invisalign

Appointments: Aligner reviews, then two ceramic appointments
Duration: Aligner phase followed by ceramic phase

Guides and articles on ceramic veneers

Written by Dr Vikas Prinja for patients considering or already having this treatment.

Common questions

Ceramic veneers: common questions

All frequently asked questions

Are veneers always necessary for a smile makeover?

No. Many smile makeovers are achieved with alignment, whitening and bonding, which preserve more natural tooth. Ceramic veneers are indicated when shape, strength or colour cannot be changed predictably by less invasive means.

How do I choose between bonding and veneers?

Bonding is usually additive, repairable and reversible, but stains more readily. Veneers are more stain resistant and durable, but require enamel preparation and are irreversible. The right choice depends on tooth position, remaining enamel, bite and how much change is needed.

Can crooked teeth be treated without veneers?

Often, yes. Correcting tooth position with clear aligners or fixed appliances frequently removes the need for veneers, or reduces the treatment to whitening and small amounts of bonding.

Evidence & references

Where this information comes from

General Dental Council — Standards for the Dental TeamGeneral Dental Council
NICE guidance on dental care and recall intervalsNational Institute for Health and Care Excellence

Author

Written by

Dr Vikas Prinja — The London Dentist

Cosmetic, restorative and implant dentistry, London.

About Dr Vikas Prinja

How this fits together

Consider alongside

How this treatment relates to the others, and why each relationship exists.

Less invasive alternative

Composite bonding

In suitable cases composite achieves a comparable change with little or no removal of healthy tooth tissue, and is easier to repair.

May reduce the need for

Invisalign

Where position is the main issue, moving the teeth can reduce — and sometimes remove — the need for veneers altogether.

Less invasive alternative

Teeth whitening

If colour is the sole concern, whitening changes shade without altering the tooth surface.

Restorative alternative

Crowns & bridges

Where considerably more tooth structure has been lost or previously restored, full coverage may be more appropriate than a veneer.