Porcelain Veneers
Porcelain veneers are thin, custom-made porcelain shells, usually 0.3–0.7 mm thick, bonded to the front of the teeth to change their colour, shape or size. At our Al Qusais, Dubai clinic, our dentist plans your veneers with photographs and a trial mock-up, so you can see the proposed shape before any tooth is prepared.
What can porcelain veneers correct?
- Deep stains that whitening cannot lift, for example from tetracycline, fluorosis or an injured tooth
- Chipped, cracked or worn edges, including wear from grinding or acid erosion
- Teeth that are small, short or unevenly shaped
- Small gaps between the front teeth
- Mildly crooked teeth, within limits; larger problems usually need orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign
If colour is your only concern and your teeth are healthy, teeth whitening may be enough. A heavily filled or weak tooth may be better protected by a crown.
Are veneers permanent?
The preparation is. A thin layer of enamel, usually around 0.5 mm, is removed so the veneer sits flush, and that enamel does not grow back. In some cases little or no preparation is needed; the dentist tells you whether yours is one of them.
What happens at each visit?
Most cases take two to three visits.
- Consultation and planning. An examination, photographs and a smile design. For many patients a trial mock-up in temporary composite is placed over the teeth, with no drilling, so you can judge the shape and length and ask for changes.
- Preparation. Under local anaesthesia the enamel is prepared, a scan or impression is taken, and temporary veneers are fitted.
- Laboratory work. A ceramist makes the veneers to the agreed design and shade, usually in 7–14 days.
- Try-in and bonding. The veneers are checked for shade, fit and shape and adjusted if needed, then bonded with a light-cured cement, and your bite is checked.
How long do porcelain veneers last?
Usually 10–15 years with good care. Grinding, biting hard objects and poor cleaning shorten that. If you grind your teeth the dentist may advise a night guard, and a yearly check lets small problems at the edges be fixed early.
How much do porcelain veneers cost in Dubai?
Veneers start from AED 700 per tooth, and a full smile makeover of 24 veneers or crowns from AED 12,000; see all prices.
Risks and what to expect
What to expect
Veneers usually take two or more visits: planning, preparation with temporary veneers, then bonding. Preparing the teeth removes a thin layer of enamel, which cannot be undone. Veneers can chip or wear and may need replacing over the years.
Possible side effects and risks
- Tooth sensitivity after preparation, usually temporary
- Chipping, cracking or debonding of a veneer
- Colour or shape that differs from what was expected; the try-in stage is there to check this
- Gum irritation at the edges of the veneers
- The enamel removed does not grow back, so the teeth will always need a covering
Results vary from person to person and are not guaranteed. At your consultation your clinician will explain the risks that apply to you, and the alternatives, before you decide.
Porcelain Veneers — Frequently Asked Questions
Preparation is done under local anaesthesia, so most people feel pressure rather than pain. Some sensitivity for a few days after the teeth are prepared is common and usually settles on its own.
The preparation is: a thin layer of enamel is removed and does not grow back, so the teeth will always need a covering. The veneers themselves may need replacing over the years. A trial mock-up lets you approve the design before any tooth is prepared.
Usually two to three: planning with photographs and a mock-up, preparation with temporary veneers, and the final try-in and bonding. Cases with many teeth can need more visits.
A veneer covers one tooth. A Hollywood smile is a full smile makeover in which all the teeth that show when you smile are covered with veneers or crowns, planned around your face and lips. Our full makeover package covers 24 teeth.
No. Porcelain does not change colour with whitening. If you also want your natural teeth lighter, they are whitened first and the veneers are made to match the new shade.
From AED 700 for each veneer. The total depends on how many teeth need covering, which you decide with the dentist at your free first consultation; a full makeover of 24 teeth starts from AED 12,000.
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Interested in Porcelain Veneers?
Meet the clinician, get a clear plan with the price, and decide in your own time. We are in Al Qusais, Dubai, open every day from 10 am to 10 pm.
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